BUILD A JAPANESE STYLE TOOLBOX
WITH MALCOLM HECHT
Saturday and Sunday, February 21st - 22nd, 2026
9:00am - 5:00pm, each day
In this class, students will use locally salvaged Port Orford Cedar to construct a Japanese inspired toolbox with a locking lid. Topics will include a basic introduction to Japanese hand tools, grain orientation and wood selection, layout with story sticks, rip and crosscut sawing, and mortising by hand. The toolbox will be joined using wedged-through tenon technology. Over the course of two 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”.
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 and if you need help, let us know in advance and we can provide students with tools to borrow.
Framing square (western or japanese sashigane)
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).
Optional: sharp 12 and 24 mm chisels (bring them if you have them. Sharp 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.
Tuition: $220
Materials fee: $70
Please email info@tarweedfolkschool.com to join the waitlist for this class.
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.
