Woodcraft of Virginia Beach / Norfolk

Stabilizing Wood

Part 1: Friday, September 26, 6 PM - 8 PM

Part 2: Tuesday, September 30, 6 PM - 8 PM

Wood stabilization is a number of processes which use pressure and/or vacuum to impregnate wood cellular structure with certain monomers, acrylics, phenolics or other resins to improve dimensional stability, biological durability, hardness, and other material properties. We will use cactus juice to introduce an acrylic resin into the wood, to occupy all the little nooks and crannys that water can absorb into in the cells of the wood. Students can bring small pieces of wood to stabilize no larger than 4 inches long by 3 inches in height and 3 inches in depth due to the size of the drying oven. Students will learn about stabilization on September 26th and start the process by submersing their wood into cactus juice in a vacuum chamber. Wood will soak up to 24 hours and then be dried at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Students will unwrap their dried wood and turn a small project with it on September 30th.

River Table End Table

Part 1: Saturday, October 4, 9 AM - 5 PM

Part 2: Sunday, October 26, 9 AM - 5 PM

In this class Ashley F will teach you how to build a river table (end table sized) top. She will cover the construction of a basic shop made mold. The process of preparing the material as well as the measuring, mixing, and pouring of resin. Uses of pigments, curing processes, and demolding results. Finally, preparing and finishing the table top for use. She will also touch on the different types of resin, variations in mold construction, as well as a variety of finishing techniques.

Making a Picture Frame

Sunday, October 5, 9 AM - 5 PM

Have you ever gone to one of those expensive framing shops and been taken back by the cost of a picture frame? Here is the opportunity to learn how to make your own frames and save money. The Picture Framing class will show you the basics for measuring and making your own picture frames. You will be shown how to use woodworking joinery that can be incorporated in your framing projects which are not only functional, but decorative as well. You will use the jointer and table saw to square stock, the table saw and the electric miter saw to cut mitered corners, and the router table to create assorted decorative profiles for your frames. Students will make the components for an 8" X 10" picture frame.