Build a Windsor Comb-Back Rocker with Chairmaker Jeff Wyatt
5 Days: Monday-Friday, August 11th - 15th, 2025, 8AM-5PM
Tuition: $1,500
Ages: 16 & Up
Instructor: Jeff Wyatt
Instructional Delivery Method(s): In person
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Program Description:
Build a Windsor Make a Comb-Back Rocker with Chairmaker Jeff Wyatt. Students will join us for a 5-day class. We will start with logs on Monday morning and finish with a Comb-Back Rocking Chair late Friday afternoon. With a maximum of 5 students, you'll receive personalized instruction in a fully equipped woodworking college with state-of-the-art work benches.
About your instructor: When Jeff Wyatt is not working in the oil refinery, you would find him in his workshop shop in Middle Tennessee. Jeff has been published in numerous magazine articles including This Old House Magazine and American Association of Woodturners.
He has taken numerous classes with Greg Pennington, Jeff Lefkowitz, David Ellsworth, and Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute’s own Luke Barnett.
Learning Objectives:
Students will learn how to obtain and choose the ideal logs for a chair
Students will learn how to rive the logs to get perfect straight-grained lumber. We will steam bend the arm rail with a bending strap, we will talk about when it is appropriate to use a bending strap
We will learn how to build a kiln and control the moisture content in the wood to get the best out of it
We will sculpt and carve the seat, layout and carve handhold knuckle profile and the classic comb volute
This is a hand tool, intensive class. There will likely be additional hours needed during this class, expect to work late some days
How to finish your chair, milk paint techniques
Alternative carving methods
At the end of the course, students will have created their own hand-crafted Windsor Comb-Back Rocker (students can alternatively choose to make a Comb-Back Arm Chair) to last generations
Tool List: (We provide all the tools, but you are also welcome to bring your own)
Cordless drill w/ 3/8, 1/2, 5/8 Brad Point drill bits
Spokeshaves - round and flat
Travisher
Scorp
Drawknife
6-degree reamer
Folding rule
Japanese style flush cut saw
Large gouge - Pfiel 3/25 is perfect
Set of Lee Valley Dowel Cutters - 1/2, 7/16, 3/8
Attendance Requirements: Students must attend all days
Location: Sam Beauford Woodshop, 1375 N. Main St, Building 41, Adrian, Michigan 49221
Class Size: Maximum 5
Click Here to view our Refund, Cancellation, and Complaint Resolution Policies
Click Here for information on Traveling to Adrian
If you have any questions about this class, please contact the Administrative Office at (517) 759-3070 or email sambeaufordwoodshop@gmail.com.
AIA Advance Learner Preparation: None
AIA Approved Learning Units & Type: 40 HSW
AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: 11/08/2025
Official AIA CES Provider Statement: Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10009739. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.