Expert: Jamie Yocono - 3/10/2008

Question
Jamie:

Do you know of adult woodworking classes in the Akron Ohio area?  The University of Akron program seems to no longer be offering woodworking.

Answer
Hi Matthew,

Because I don't live there anymore, I can't be 100% sure that these places teach classes. But I've heard of a couple places that have offered them in the past, so check these out:

There's a new woodworking store (in Stow, I think) that offers classes and shop time in their huge tool room. You can pay by the hour, day, week, month... but I think it's pricey. But this is the best bet for you. Here's a link: http://awoodworkersplace.com/index.html

Wadsworth High School offers an assortment of classes, everything from computer stuff to floral design. I heard the wood shop teacher there started an evening program, so I'd call them. Here's a link: http://www.wadsworth.k12.oh.us/administrativeDepartment.aspx?aid=42

Also, check with the Rockler store, and the Woodcraft store. What they offer is limited, but you can see a lot of demos. I forget where these stores are, but they're within a half hour drive of Akron. Maybe Bedford and Strongsville?

Good luck, wish I could help more. Once I left my position at Akron U, they never found another teacher. I tried to find someone, but I think they more or less lost interest. It's a shame, it was a great program, and a LOT of people learned how to build. I miss it.

By the way, you might be interested in my woodworking blog. I write a good deal about ceramics, but there is some useful woodworking info on it. I am updating it in the next couple days with some quality woodworking tips. And a recommended reading list. And a tool geek list. Never enough time to do it all! Find it at: http://wooditis.blogspot.com/

Jamie Yocono
www.wooditis.com
Las Vegas, NV