Woodworking Class: Building a Wharton Esherick Three-Legged Stool with Tom Calisto (2 Days)

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In this two day class you will sculpt this very graceful stool using a variety of tools. The legs and stretchers are shaped with draw knives, spoke shaves and tenon cutters. The top is shaped with spoke shaves and bored using special tapered reamers to create a stool that will last for generations.

The following description of the stools comes from the Wharton Esherick Museum:

"Wharton Esherick’s Three-Legged Stools are some of his most iconic and recognizable pieces. He began producing the stools in the 1950s to supplement his income between commissions by producing affordable pieces using leftover scraps of wood which he could keep on hand for quick sales. Esherick had plenty of scraps laying around his studio; if the wood grain in a piece of scrap was too beautiful to be burned, it got tucked away in the woodshed for later use. He also used those scraps to create beautiful cutting boards, which he’d often gift to friends and family.

"The Three-Legged Stools are an excellent example of Esherick’s functional art. Not only are they beautiful and eye-catching, but if you’ve ever had the opportunity to sit on one, you’ll know just how comfortable they are as well. Another perk: they’re lightweight, so anyone could easily move them from place to place."

Day 1:
• Cut the seat blank to shape
• Layout and bore the seat to accept the legs
• Dish the seat using a bowl adze, inshaves and card scrapers

Day 2:
• Shape the legs and stretchers from square to round using drawknives and spoke shave.
• Prepare the ends using tenon cutters to match the tapered holes in the seat creating a joint that gets tighter in use, like a traditional Windsor chair.
• Assemble your new stool and flush all the joints.

Read about this instructor on our page: "Meet the Instructors".

The class materials fee will be $100, and is payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Tools will be provided, but students are welcome to bring their own (properly sharpened) reamer, inshave, tenon cutter, and spokeshave if they desire.

No students under 18 years of age are allowed. A PDF document with the full class policies and a liability waiver will be available after you register. All students are required to sign this document, and bring it on the first day of class.

Anyone can cancel a class up to 3 weeks prior to the class for a full refund (minus a $45 fee that covers credit card processing fees and administrative work). Cancellations under three weeks before a class begins will be given a refund (less $45) if we can find someone else to fill the slot. If we have to cancel a class for an unforeseen emergency, inclement weather, instructor illness/injury, or low number of registrations, a full refund will be given to students. We encourage students to not book non-refundable flights, car rentals, or lodging in case of these cancelations.

After you’ve registered for a class, you are eligible for a discount from Lee Valley (Veritas) and Taylor Toolworks. Lee Valley offers a 15% discount, and a discount form PDF will be available for download in your Wood and Shop dashboard after your purchase. For a 10% discount from Taylor Toolworks fill out this form and upload a photo or screenshot of your class order email (under the “Student ID” section). The discounts may not be available after the end of the class, so try to place your orders before then.

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