Description
Stop making compromises with your router. Stop getting close to the molding profiles you want. Learn how to use some of the most abundant molding planes of the past to get the exact detail you want in the Using Molding Planes with Matt Bickford class.
Using molding planes
Hollows and rounds do not make specific profiles. They make specific arcs. Learn to transform these various arcs into scores of varying profiles.
From layout to execution, this weekend class focuses on creating various moldings with these extraordinarily versatile planes. You’ll lay-out and ultimately stick (plane) several moldings that range from simple coves and ovolos through ogees, cymas, and various combinations.
The class focuses on hollows and rounds sized #6 and #10 along with a rabbet plane. Students have the opportunity to bring their own performing planes, or they can use newly made planes by M. S. Bickford, planemaker. Students also have the opportunity to use a larger range of planes.
Each student leaves with a stick (or two) of molding for a picture frame and the ability to transfer moldings he or she sees in person or print into wood and onto their project.
Course Dates:
- April 13 & 14, 2024
Previous Dates:
- June 22 & 23, 2019
- October 31 & November 1, 2020
- April 23 & 24, 2022
A materials fee is required for this class.
The shop opens at 8:30 am. Class begins at 9:00 am. A delicious lunch, snacks, and soft drinks are provided. Class ends at 4:30 pm – the shop remains open until 5:30 pm.
The class is limited to a maximum of 8 students.
Call or email to be placed on the waiting list if this class sells out.
Tool List
- Plane hammer with brass and wooden faces
- Small square
- Circle template
- Marking Gauge (ideally Tite-mark)
About the Instructor:
Matt Bickford is a planemaker in Haddam Neck, CT specializing in molding planes. Along with contributions to various woodworking magazines, Matt is the author of Mouldings in Practice and is featured in a Lie-Nielsen produced DVD with the same name. Matt has taught the skill of using wooden molding planes across the country.
rom1ulus (verified owner) –
This class was a lot of fun. Matt is an excellent instructor, and has given a lot of thought to the design of this class. He took us through making a series of moldings, starting from simple and progressing to more complicated ones, which illustrated the various points he was making. The class was a very thorough grounding in the use of hollows and rounds. Before class I’d already worked through his DVD on using hollows and rounds, which I thought was very good, but I still picked up some techniques for using the planes I somehow wasn’t getting from the DVD. He explains things very clearly and being able to interact with him directly was a big benefit for me.
DuaneD (verified owner) –
If you have never used a hollow and round or have experience but want to learn more this class is perfect. Small class size provided lots of time for questions. I picked up lots of tips and tricks that will give me more confidence in using and caring for my hollows and rounds.
Mark Rainey (verified owner) –
Excellent class. The workshop was clean and well equipped. Matt Bickford is an expert instructor. He comes prepared to teach and is very helpful. He welcomes questions and is supportive of student learning. His goal is to facilitate student skill building and he has no arrogance. The course was hands on and I learned a lot.
Doug Anderson (verified owner) –
Fabulous class! I had already bought and read his excellent book, “Mouldings in Practice”, but really couldn’t imagine how well the methods he recommends work until I took the class. In particular, I was amazed how well using a simple wood rabbet plane can be used to create the array of rabbets prior to the hollows and rounds. Good reasons leading to good, simple work.
He went through how planing the rabbets with a hollow or round would first result in the skinny angel-hair shavings, and then finally merge into a solid one after a few passes. He would pick up a “teaching shaving” that was part two-shavings, part solid to show how it worked.
One of the best classes for anything I’ve ever had (and I’ve had quite a few!).