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American Sycamore Woodworkers' Retreat www.americansycamoreretreat.com
A.S.W.R. Newsletter |
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aswr@ccrtc.com 1-877-845-2666 7559 E. CR 950 S. Cloverdale Indiana 46120 |
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A.S.W.R. |
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Nestled in the back woods of Cloverdale, Indiana sits a little slice of woodworkers’ heaven. Michael and Dana Van Pelt are the hosts of the American Sycamore Woodworkers’ Retreat. A woodworking school where you learn and build beautiful furniture alongside the Masters of woodworking. |
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Over the past few years, the Van Pelts have turned their school from a class room environment into a vacationing experience that will leave you wishing you never had to go home. As you walk into the work shop for your first class you will see so much equipment that it would make the hardiest woodworking veteran grin from ear to ear. Delta and Porter-Cable are the primary tool sponsors, who have been so generous to supply the American Sycamore shop. American Sycamore Woodworkers’ Retreat is just that; a “Retreat” from your everyday routine. To make your woodworking vacationing retreat even more enjoyable experience the attention to amenities continues. Let’s talk Hoosier hospitality and food! The lunches at American Sycamore are bountiful, as Dana prepares home cook lunches daily. So not only will you spend the day doing what you love in the shop, there is not a chance you will go hungry or run low on fuel. Being at ASWR will make you truly passionate about your woodworking when you can enjoy a short commute to the shop. American Sycamore has created a nearly all inclusive retreat by offering fine accommodations at the neighboring Timber View House. The six bedroom guest house sits on the hillside where the woodland meets the meadow filled with sounds of whistling birds and wildlife. The sunrise commute is just a short walk down the woodland path to the main lodge and the workshop. |
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MARCH 2007 CONTENTS |
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· Anticipation List Highlights of classes we’re looking forward to… · Anniversary American Sycamore celebrates five years… · ASWR’s 2007 Instructors ASWR’s Delta Force… · Meet the Master Craftsman Glen Huey… · We Hear You Shop notes from students… · Direct to Excellence Program Private lessons, Beginners workshops… · ASWR’s Woodworking Forum Ask for woodworking help, advise others, and show off your work· In the Works New shop layout for ASWR.... · MVP Picks Michael Van Pelt's Tool Review · What's Going On Noteworthy events & happenings · The A List Look what we found
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Anticipation List… |
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Woodworking class scheduled for March to July. It is difficult to highlight just a select group of classes. We are excited about all the great classes for our 2007 season. |
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March
April
May June
5-9 Chest with Drawers $950
July |
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The Big 5! American Sycamore Woodworkers’ Retreat is quickly approaching its fifth anniversary, April5. Over the years we have met incredible woodworkers and incredible students and have created incredible pieces of works. And now we are looking forward to meeting you too. Wow-oh-wow the students of 2007 truly made some keepsake heirlooms. |
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ASWR’s 2007 Instructors: The 2007 ASWR class schedule is our best yet and our instructor line up is excellent! We wish to welcome back American Sycamore’s tremendous instructors for another season. Joining us again this year is Dale Barnard, David Copher, Dennis DeBruhl, Glen Huey, Tom Laird, Dennis Maddox, Rick Miller, David Sochar and Spence DePauw.
We welcome the new-comers of instructors, Kenneth Cave, Robert Gulley, Randall O’Donnell, Marc Spagnuolo, Michael Stafford, Doug Stowe, Marty Travis, Leanna Micona, Anna Thompson and Travis Stinson.
American Sycamore Woodworkers' Retreat is pleased to announce that John Garrison has been appointed as Instructor’s Assistant. How very fortunate to have such a knowledgeable woodworking professional to assist with the classes. John is a fine furniture and cabinet maker who is also a gentleman cattle rancher. John and his lovely wife Bonnie live within minutes to ASWR. John will be a great asset to aiding the classes to run efficiently and freeing up the instructor to work closely with the students. Welcome John! |
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Meet the Master Craftsman Glen Huey | |
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Glen Huey was born and raised in Ohio. He is the middle child of three boys and at the age of fourteen decided to use his Father's tools, and help, to build a Sheraton Field Bed, which he has to this day. |
| Upon graduating from the University of Cincinnati, he began building
homes. Then after a couple of career changes and a yearning to expand
his woodworking, he opened a company to design and build projects for
homebuilders in the area. After completing a major project and with the
gentle push from his wife, who tired of hearing him lament about
furniture, he changed the focus of his work to creating 18th and 19th
century period designs.
Today he is the author of "Fine Furniture for a Lifetime" and "Building Fine Furniture", a contributing editor with "Popular Woodworking" magazine, travels to exhibit at shows around the country, and has had pieces featured in national magazines. He lives with his wife Laurie and continues the work of Malcolm L. Huey & Son in Middletown, Ohio. Glen will be instructing several great classes at American Sycamore. Such as the fabulous 21st Century Tool Cabinet, March 13-18 and continued May 29 June 3. The Hanging Cupboard March 31-April 2. Shaker Tall Clock May 8-12, Shaker Press Cupboard June 12-17, Spice Cabinet and inlay August 7-13, Chippendale Small Chest September 11-15, and the lovely walnut Drop Leaf Dining Table, October 2-7. |
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We Hear You! Completed projects…Limited class size…Private lessons…and more
Letters from ASWR’s students.
Completed projects are important to our students. Mike and Dana, I have had such an enjoyable time here at American Sycamore. Often time’s anticipations/expectations exceed reality. This week reality exceeded expectation. Your generosity, the facility and food are all wonderful. I am pleased to be returning home with such a great a rocker. I am simply amazed that we all completed our projects. I have attended other woodworking schools and most of the students did not complete their projects, but only returned home with a bag of milled sticks… Jeff Hyser Oxford CT.
Limited class sizes. We have learned too many students can make the class a bit more intense and pressed for time. Mike and Dana. Wow what a week! Your hospitality is wonderful as you go beyond the call of duty. The shop is incredible with all that power! Class was intense at times and I worked harder physically than I had in years. But we all 12 survived and what incredible workbenches we all have to show off…we earned it! Michael Glidden Mt. Sinai, NY
Private lessons. We can do that…we can work with your schedule. Dana and Mike, You helped me to be the proudest father on my daughter and new son-in-law’s wedding day. My gift to my beautiful daughter was a “family heirloom” bed built by me at ASWR. Thank you for your generosity in scheduling a one on one workshop around my calendar… Patrick Turner Salisbury, NC
Beginner woodworking classes. Classes available when you are ready to get started. Mike and Dana, This was my first experience woodworking and enjoyed it a lot. I appreciate your attention and leaving no questions unanswered, and I received help when I needed it. The machinery was intimidating at first and as Mike said it is good to have a sense of respect for the equipment. Thanks to Mike’s patience with us new-comers we now possess skills that will take us to the next level in woodworking… Kathleen Berry Columbus OH
American Sycamore “hears you” and we are thinking Direct to Excellence; we have re-thought our approach to class size. We do not desire to be the largest woodworking school in the nation or the world; WE STRIVE TO BE YOUR WOODWORKING SCHOOL.
We have limited
the class sizes with student/instructor ration. Our class prices
reflect the cost of working closely with the instructor in an uncrowded
shop. The instructor can focus on your requirements and help you succeed
in building new skills as you complete your project. At American
Sycamore we know you by name and you are not lost in a crowd of students
as they all bid for the instructors attention. You are not viewing the
instructor’s methods via class room television and only receiving the
cameras perspective. We are up close and personal and giving Direct
to Excellence in teaching woodworking. American Sycamore’s instructors will help you start out right and avoid bad habits from day one. Learn to think like an expert woodworker with American Sycamore’s Direct to Excellence approach. Learn about the equipment and the workshop environment from the pros.
With our Direct to Excellence philosophy we have not only limited the class sizes but we are reemphasizing and even creating some new programs for 2006. We have a variety of programs, such as private lessons at any time. Also classes especially created for the First Timers to safely ease into woodworking. Programs to work your way through woodworking school. And a special offer to our repeat customers.
Private lessons: Nothing’s better than a little one-on-one with the pros. Private lessons allow for more specific feedback and a faster learning curve. You will work specifically on your skills and build on your strengths. You are the focus of these sessions. Increase your woodworking skills while experiencing a more personalized level of instruction. One-one class cost varies depending on the project. Please contact us for pricing details.
First Time Series: If you’ve never woodworked before, American Sycamore has the ultimate learning packages for you. Five days of fundamental lessons in the operation of the woodworking equipment. Your instructor will patiently impart techniques and help you gain confidence operating the machinery. You will learn the basics starting with materials- lumber and sheet goods. Your class will focus on the best tool for the job and safely operating the equipment. You will learn simple milling sequences to yield flat, straight and square lumber. You are shown appropriate adhesives for woodworking, and the progression of using sandpapers. There are a variety of clamps; learn which is suitable for your requirements. You will accomplish basic joinery, layout, build your first project and choose a finish. Five days of beginner lessons and lodging – for one great rate! Is there a better reason to get started in woodworking at American Sycamore? We think not! Make this the year you get the foundation needed for a lifelong love of woodworking! Package price: Lodging at American Sycamore’s Timber View House five nights, Sunday-Thursday $200.00. Five day workshop tuition and materials $675.00 total package $875.00.
Advance Advantage: At American Sycamore you will find the curriculum packed with inspiring projects for all skills. We have classes geared toward the sophisticated and highly developed woodworker who aspires to learn even more as they master the art of furniture making. As I quote Master woodworker Frank Klausz, “Ten years is a good start to be a beginner.” There is more to woodworking than any one person can learn. We at American Sycamore push the learning curve to give you challenging classes. Such as the Spectacular Tool Cabinet with Master Glen Huey, Box making with Doug Stowe, the elegant Sculpted Rocker with Andy Chidwick, Greene & Greene furniture building with Dale Barnard, and more great classes. We are offering the progressive woodworker an opportunity to apply for Journeyman’s position in assisting classes with the Masters. You would work closely with the instructors and have a great opportunity to increase your woodworking abilities. You will learn with the students from a different advantage point. For your skilled assistance in the American Sycamore classes, we will exchange your Journeyman hours for tuition hours, class of your choice. Can you as an advanced woodworker afford to pass up this opportunity? For application as Journeyman, please contact us for details.
3-Peat: This season we have decided to give a bit of incentive and cost break to our woodworking students who take multiple classes. We have designed a great program that is an advantage to our repeat customers; If you register for three weeklong classes you will receive a $300.00 “ASWR Loyalty Card”. The Loyalty Card can be used to discount any future classes at American Sycamore. Don’t miss out on this great woodworking value. Please contact us for further details in becoming 3-Peat customer. |
For more program details please view the ASWR web site www.americansycamoreretreat.com. or contact Dana by email at aswr@ccrtc.com or call (877) 845 2666 |
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What is new to the ASWR homepage? Check out the new ASWR Woodworking Forum Read Mike Van Pelts woodworking tip posted weekly on the ASWR forum. Learn tips & tricks from the pros and friends all over the country! Stop by and read, or start a thread…you are always welcome! www.americansycamoreretreat.com
Delta and Porter-Cable continues to support our shop with equipment and did so once again at the end of 2005. We thank Chuck Hardin of Delta for his generous help in sending us a truck load of new tooling. As every woodworker knows you can never have too many woodworking tools. |
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In the works: To make room for the new Delta equipment, our friend and Instructor Spence De Pauw assisted in redesigning the ASWR shop layout. The new design will be beneficial to making your woodworking classes efficient. We are excited about ASWR’s dedicated Mill Room, Bench Room, Machinery Arena and Lathe Studio. All areas will soon be completed. |
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MVP PICK Michael Van Pelt’s founder of American Sycamore Woodworker’s Retreat has a reputation as the tool guru. Mike has been in woodworking for over thirty years. His knowledge of tools comes from his many years of intertwining experience in the woodworking industry. Mike’s experiences include being active as an Industrial Arts Teacher, professional instructor of power machinery and tool techniques, tool sales, management and owner of woodworking tool retail store, Delta Machinery representative and technical advisory. Mike shares with us tools that he favors when working in the ASWR woodshop.
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Mike’s tool pick is the Silky Folding Hand Saws. I am sort of a traditionalist when it comes to hand tools. It was when I worked many years ago in San Diego California at the Cutting Edge I learned about the Japanese Dozuki from my friend Tohsio Odate. Since then I have always preferred the look and feel of the straight non-folding Japanese saws. That is until I had the opportunity to use the saws from SILKY HAND SAWS; the Woodboy Folding Saw. The cutting result from this saw is superb in performance. The saw not only cuts as well as my most expensive Dozuki, but to have the ability to fold the handle over to protect the blade when not in use has been a real blade saver. Most of the Dozukis I have in the class room get a tooth chipped or knocked off by handling or just in storage. The folding protective handles solved this problem. I appreciate the compactness of these saws as well as how they fit into my tool bag for transport. The Silky Saws receive high marks from American Sycamore Woodworkers' Retreat. To find out more about the saws log on www.silkystore.com Michael R. Van Pelt
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What’s going on? Noteworthy woodworking events and happenings. · The Woodworking Shows; Meet Michael Van Pelt at the Master Clinics as he demonstrates Delta machinery. March 17-19 Harrisburg PA April 7-9 Sacramento CA April 21-23 Santa Clara CA April 28-30 Seattle WA
· Furniture Society Conference, June Indianapolis Indiana Campus of IUPUI at the Herron School of Art and Design www.furnituresociety.org/conferenc2006
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The Woodworking Channel “The world’s workshop” is launching www.thewoodworkingchannel.com
Set your calendars and make plans to tune in.
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The “A”swr List Look what we found….the new book by author/fine woodworker Andy Rae; Workshop Idea Book, published by Taunton Woodworking. This book covers it all…Shop layout, tool & lumber storage, workstations, dust collections & safety and machine accessories. Bookmark page 155 an ASWR favorite: “build a bench at school,” featuring Spence De Pauw’s workbench built at American Sycamore. Looking throughout the book is like finding Waldo as we spy Spence and his clever shop ideas.
Your ASWR Connection Send us your woodworking questions and/or advise photos of your accomplished furniture works. Tell us about your woodworking experiences, what woodworking tool or book makes your “A” list. Contact us at aswr@ccrtc.com
For more information about American Sycamore visit our website www.americansycamoreretreat.com
American Sycamore Woodworkers' Retreat 7559 e., County Road 950 s. Cloverdale Indiana 46120 1877-845-2666 toll free email: aswr@ccrtc.com
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