Tips and Tricks ... A Virtual Series with Michael Fortune 

Michael Fortune has been designing and making worldwide acclaimed contemporary furniture for over 50 years. Over this period he has taught numerous classes and workshops in various techniques, often while building interesting projects, such as a stool with steam bent spirals, or a folding chair. In each of these classes and workshops students are exposed to various tips and tricks he has developed, even though they are not generally expressed as part of the curriculum for the workshop.

The Guild of Oregon Woodworkers has worked with Michael to develop this Tips and Tricks Series to pass along an accumulation of techniques he has developed over the years in order to help him produce his work more safely, effectively and efficiently. The topics are grouped by the manner in which he thinks about his workflow. The reader will note that his structure is different from many other masters. For instance, Michael treats the band saw, jointer and planer as a set of tools. In contrast, many others treat the table saw, jointer and planer as a set for milling. In this series, Michael will explain his rationale.

The list of Tips and Tricks are presented, first, from the perspective of a woodworker just getting started, and progress to more advanced topics for intermediate plus woodworkers. Over 125 different tips and tricks will be covered. There will be something of use to everyone.

This event will be presented in a series of 4 video sessions by Zoom in September as a package. Registering and paying the fee for this event registers you and covers the cost of all four sessions. The sessions will be recorded for access by registrants after the event. Video sessions can be very informative on their own, but in this case we have, also, scheduled 2, in-person, seminars with Michael Fortune, in October, as a follow-up for those Zoom session participants who are interested in meeting with him face to face.. These will only be available to participants who have registered for the Zoom sessions, i.e., the Zoom sessions are a prerequisite for the seminars. The seminars are intended to add detail and answer questions to the Zoom sessions, not replace them.

The Schedule - 4 Virtual Sessions + In Person Follow-Up Sessions

Virtual sessions: 2 hours each by Zoom

• Session 1, Band Saw, Jointer, Planer – Band Saw/Jointer/Planer are a team: Tuesday, September 7, 6 PM – 8 PM PDT (9 PM – 11 PM EDT)
• Session 2, Miter Saw, Drill Press, Table Saw: Thursday, September 9, 6 PM – 8 PM PDT (9 PM – 11 PM EDT)
• Session 3, Hand Tools/Bench, Plate Joiner/Domino Table, Fixing Mistakes: Monday, September 20, 6 PM – 8 PM PDT (9 PM – 11 PM EDT)
• Session 4, Bench Grinder, Clamping, Router Table: Wednesday, September 22, 6 PM – 8 PM PDT (9 PM – 11 PM EDT)

• Session 1, October 6, 9 AM – 12:30 PM PDT
• Session 2, October 6, 1 PM – 5 PM PDT

A Zoom link will be sent to each registrant by email before he Zoom sessions. 

Refer any questions regarding this event to Chip Webster, jdwebster3@comcast.net

Guild classes are Member only classes. Not a member? Visit the Membership webpage and Join Now