Northwest Woodworking Studio

The Northwest Woodworking Studio is a school dedicated to teaching the art and the craft of woodworking. We welcome people of all abilities and backgrounds to come and use their hands and eyes and hearts in one of our most basic pursuits: building.

Our approach is simple: build solid honest furniture that will last a lifetime. Working at the bench offers a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that few activities can today. From Novice classes to the Mastery Programs to our week long Summer workshops, students come from around the world to study with our instructors. Come take a place at the bench and immerse yourself in the tradition and the craft of woodworking.

Oregon Art Beat Feature

Feature on Oregon Art Beat  

In the NW Woodworking studio in SE Portland master furniture maker Gary Rogowski passes down the craft with a unique apprentice program.

The Woodworking Nature


Using hand tools at the bench is one of the joys of woodworking. Being able to do this in a pleasant environment adds to that enjoyment. But being in a spectacular location surrounded by the Cascades with a stunning view of Mt. Hood right out your shop door is a rare and sustaining retreat into nature and woodworking. Come join us this summer for one or both weeks of The Woodworking Nature. These retreats are a special opportunity to relax, learn new skills, discuss furniture design and aesthetics and to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of nature in the Cascade Mountains.

Welcome

Please click the YouTube icon to view a larger format & for more lessons with Gary Rogowski.

In the News


The November-December 2011 Issue of Woodworker West is, as always, full of great information. Two articles in particular are of interest to the Studio. First, NWS graduate and now instructor Jeff O'Brien is the featured maker this month. That's his great table on the cover, built as part of his education here at the Studio. He used some interesting bending techniques on that table that you can learn from him directly in his November 19th class. This issue also marks the premier installment of Gary's "Furniture Maker's Toolkit" series. These articles will cover a wealth of information that will be valuable to novices and masters alike.

Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event!


Come and test the full line of Lie-Nielsen hand tools and participate in many different hands on demonstrations. Our instructors, the Lie-Nielsen staff, and several guest demonstrators will be here to share a wealth of tips and tricks, and it is all free of charge! Make sure to enter the drawing for the wonderful door prizes that will be given away while you are here, some amazing tools could be yours just for stopping by! Friday, February 10th: 10am - 6pm Saturday, February 11th: 10am - 5pm

Register Now!

Call 503.284.1644 to hold your place for Winter Classes, Workshops, and Lectures Beginning January 9th, 2012!

Small class sizes and a relaxed and supportive environment ensure that you'll have the best woodworking experience possible.

Visit the Northwest Woodworking Studio Winter 2012 Schedule page for more information.

Mastery Programs
• Local Mastery
• Distance Mastery
• Resident Mastery

Cobblers

This letter was sent to me by an old friend.

Hi, Gary!

May I give you a story, as promised?

The story is told that if you were a young person in medieval France embarking on a spiritual quest, if you were fortunate you might meet up with someone older, perhaps a [...] Continue Reading…

Borrowing My Chisel

This question comes from a former student.

If a someone asks to borrow a prized chisel how would you politely decline the request? Paul F

My reply: There are several options.

Go Shakespearean:
What, you egg! Shag haired villain of treachery! [and then with a smile] Begone or I shall have to smite [...] Continue Reading…

The Work Bench

Stick with this fact: your bench is the center of the universe. When a client calls and asks, why won’t the door shut after we moved the piece? Or why do we need the shim under that cabinet leg? Or how come the drawer sticks? Your reply is always [...] Continue Reading…

Precision

I was walking the beagle this morning and I heard someone practicing violin in their house as we walked by. The player wasn’t new at it, but neither was he all that proficient. He was learning and repeating his scales. I’m no musician so I cannot say what kind [...] Continue Reading…

Investments

Investing is an act of pure faith these days. In these strange and difficult days, investing in anything takes nerves of steel and hardy determination. But I have a sure thing for you. A can’t miss proposition. There is a guaranteed return on this investment. [Now I’m sure you’ve [...] Continue Reading…

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