IGMA | Education

12 Hour Class

Instructor:
Bob Hurd, Artisan

Course:
Furniture Construction

Project: Water Bench with Accessories

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Course Description:
A water bench (approximately 4 ½” H x 3 ½" W x 1 5/16" D) is a small Pennsylvania German dresser having a lower portion usually closed with doors for milk pails and an open shelf for water pails. The upper section has shallow drawers. The bench for this class is based on those commonly made in Pennsylvania and other American colonies during the 18th and 19th centuries. The class project includes materials and instructions for making accessories for the bench including a water pail, berries carrier, and a market basket. The students will be free to choose any accessory to make after the bench is completed.

Construction methods include mortise and tenon construction for the flat panel doors, conventional drawer construction, and decorative curves cut into the top, sides, and front legs. Students will have the option of using either a powered scroll saw or hand-held jeweler’s saw to make the decorative cuts. Hinge installation will be done after the finish is applied. Some pieces will be pre-cut to size and the door knobs and drawer knobs will be provided. The class will include instruction regarding the use of templates, jigs, and fixtures to aid in the construction process. The instructor will demonstrate the finish applied to the prototype and will provide all materials to duplicate this dark, grayish-brown finish using stain and acrylic paints. However, finishing and distressing will be at the discretion of the students who are invited to bring acrylic paints or other materials to achieve the finish they would like to have.

Time: 12 hours. It is likely that the water bench will be completed in the allotted time. Completion of any accessories will be subject to the abilities of the
individual students.

Power Tools: table saw, scroll saw, drill press

Skill Level: Beginner and intermediate

Materials Fee: $30 to be collected at school