The Hand Tool School is 2 Years Young

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the launch of The Hand Tool School.  A great deal of thought went into this business and the seeds began to germinate almost 4 years ago.  I’m eternally grateful for how large it has grown in such a short time and the number of members grows every day! Thank you to everyone who has joined and promoted the venture, I am humbled and flattered by your support.  Every day I receive emails with questions, pictures of completed projects, and stories of successes. Every one of these makes me smile and pushes me to make the Hand Tool School experience an even better one. Please keep these emails coming, you have no idea what these mean to me, and your input helps me to shape the experience.

It has been a busy 2 years with:

• 35 tool information posts
• 106 videos totaling over 118 hrs
• 16 live broadcasts of an hour or more
• 21 projects
• 18 hours of 1 on 1 web video consultation

(not sure why more of you don’t take advantage of this, I don’t bite)

Whew…and I’m 3 videos deep into Semester 4 with 4 more projects on the docket for the next 5 months.

It has been an incredible 2 years and I can’t thank everyone enough, but I will try by continuing to do what I do for the next 2 years and well beyond. A little known fact is that I actually already have up through Semester 10 planned out whether in an outline or a fully fleshed out web page ready to be published.

What’s Next?

Here’s just a little peek at some of what is coming in the next 2 years.

Semester 5: Woodturning theme with Spring Pole and Treadle Lathe Builds and the iconic Shaker Pedestal Table

Semester 6: Period furniture theme with a Queen Anne Bookcase and Sheraton Pembrooke Table

Semester 7: Green woodworking with shave horses, broad axes, and Windsors (oh my!)

I’ll leave the rest to your imagination but let’s just say there will be more shop projects (treadle scroll saw) and lots of new techniques (marquetry, boat building) and semesters dedicated to furniture styles just like Semester 6 (I promised I wouldn’t just do period styles).  Of course as my members know this can all change based on their feedback, though most of it is largely designed around that feedback.

It has been so much fun in the past 2 years and I can’t wait to see what the next 2 years hold.  Thank you all!

 

PS: there is a live broadcast this Thursday, the 18th at 8 PM eastern.  Stop by and say hi and get a question or two answered.  All are welcome!

 

Your Turn

What project or projects would you like me to cover in future semesters?  What techniques?  What is holding you back from joining?  Do I need another shop dog?  Leave your thoughts in the comments below.