Canterbury Shaker Table Class

On my trip to Hancock Shaker Village in 2017, I was looking for a side table to measure. They have many and as always it is hard to narrow down a favorite. The one I chose was in storage, hidden away in the loft of the brick dwelling. The table originated from the Shaker settlement at Canterbury NH. Not in the best condition, legs had warped a bit and the joinery was not terribly tight. I assume it had been stored in a damp location at some point in it’s life. The proportions of the table were what most attracted me to it, I also like the fact it was rectangular instead of square.

I am teaching a class building this table at the Wood and Shop School in Earlysville VA. September 19-22. There are still openings if you are interested, more details here. Joshua Farnsworth, headmaster of the school, has $100 off the tuition for the class the next few days using the coupon code $100SALE at checkout.

The class will cover many hand tool operations, pegged mortise & tenon joinery, tapering the legs with hand planes, building a nailed together drawer as per the original, moldings, hand cut pocket screws and much more. We will also review photos of the original table’s details and joinery. Last but not least, what the table was originally used for and alterations made at some time in its history.

 

-Will Myers