BUILD A JAPANESE STYLE TOOLBOX
WITH MALCOLM HECHT
Friday to Sunday, June 12th to 14th, 2026:
Friday, June 12th, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday, June 13th, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, June 14th, 9:00am - 5:00pm
In this class, students will use Port Orford cedar to construct a Japanese inspired toolbox with a locking lid. Topics include: grain orientation and wood selection, layout with story sticks, mortising by hand, rip and crosscut sawing, chamfering, and clench-nailing. The toolbox is joined using wedged-through tenons, and the central topic of the class is cutting and tuning the mortise and tenon joinery. Over the course of three hardworking days, students of all abilities will gain experience with hand-tool woodworking techniques and will leave the course with a new toolbox to tote their new skills and tools to their next project! This class has a small class size, so expect plenty of one-on-one attention while honing your skills.
The exterior dimensions of the toolbox are: 25” x 12 ½” x 6 ¼”.
Consider signing up for an optional 1-day Chisel Set Up class on Thursday, June 11th to expand your skills and set up your own chisel to put into use with this toolbox project.
Class Details
Age Requirement: this class is for adults 18+.
Location: Wade Hardware (400 SW 2nd St)
Students bring: please plan to bring the following tools. If you need help, let us know in advance and we can provide students with tools to borrow.
Framing square (western 16 x 24” square or Japanese sashigane)
Sharp pencil
Hammer
Crosscutting and rip cutting handsaw (I highly recommend investing in or bringing a 240mm Japanese Ryoba saw, which has rip teeth and crosscutting teeth--these are available at Wade Hardware). If you need to borrow one, please contact us.
Optional: sharp chisels (If you plan on attending the chisel setup class, bring your own chisel. Sharp Japanese chisels will also be provided for students to use during the class).
*Please note that the scope of this class does not comprehensively cover tool set up or sharpening. To learn about sharpening chisels, consider signing up for the additional 1-day chisel class on June 11th.
Tuition: $310
Materials fee: $85
Please note: you will be redirected to a Square link to finalize your registration.
Accessibility note: some hand strength required, students will be standing and working at a workbench for much of the day. At times, the classroom will be noisy with hammers striking chisels and pounding nails. For accessibility concerns, questions, and accommodations, please contact us at info@tarweedfolkschool.com.
Need a scholarship to attend a class? We offer full and half tuition awards (scholarships do not apply to class materials fee). Email info@tarweedfolkschool.com to register.
Tarweed Folk School values increasing access to practical arts and place-based skills. Our goal is to make our classes accessible to anyone with an interest in learning. Please consider that our classrooms take place inside and outdoors with varying amenities (think of parking, seating, walking surfaces, and bathroom options, for example). We are happy to provide any information or answer any questions about accessibility or accommodations for any of our classes and locations. Please email us if you have comments, concerns, or questions.
