Our teaching philosophy is simple: disciplined but fun, hands-on and in-person, practice and mistakes yield growth.

It’s OK to be uncomfortable while learning, that is where you are destroying ignorance and building new knowledge pathways. It’s not OK if you feel uncomfortable because of someone else’s poor behavior. Here’s the deal: treat each other how you want to be treated, we are all on a journey and at different points along the path. Be nice and help each other out. Come with an empty cup, if your cup is full, then nothing can be put in it! Read this page and watch the video at the bottom of it if you want a sense of the standards we try to live up to.

Classes that have prerequisites have them for a reason. You will not have fun if you do not possess the required skills and practice to learn the next topic. Contact us if you have any doubt or want to confirm if you are qualified for a particular class or workshop. If you have prior experience from a different instructor, the prerequisite requirement may be waved. Allowable prior class experience includes:

• Mokuchi Woodworks

• Econest Timber Framing Intensive

• Classes by Dale Brotherton

• Classes by Brian Holcombe

There are obviously more, please contact us if you have any questions.

Because of the preparation of materials, workstations, and in some case tools ahead of a class or there will be no refunds or credits for a cancellation occurring with less than 15 days prior to the start of the class. You will receive a credit toward another class or workshop if cancelation occurs between 15 and 30 days prior to the start of the class. You will receive a refund for 90% of the original cost for cancellations prior to 30 days before the start of the class or workshop. For any of the “timber framing workshops” you may receive a refund of 90% of the original cost for cancellations prior to 45 days before the start of the workshop, refunds after this period are conditional on filling your spot.

Note that if you have ordered a curated tool kit as part of registration for the workshop, the tools may be picked up at the beginning of class. In the vast majority of cases, this kit cannot be refunded after they are ordered as the tools are made to order by a blacksmith. If there is an extenuating circumstance contact us and we will try to work something out, but if you cancel your workshop registration, you likely will be forfeiting the tool kit as well.

Because of the preparation of materials, workstations, and in some case tools ahead of a class or workshop there will be no refunds or credits for a missed class.

Lateness will not be tolerated. We expect you to be on time (which means early) for class every day, ready to learn. Should you be late for whatever reason we expect to be contacted by you indicating when you will arrive and the reason. When you do arrive you should slip silently into the flow of work and catch up where you can. You may be able to catch up during lunch and breaks, but allow everyone else, including the instructor to enjoy their lunch or break. Continued tardiness may result in you being asked to leave class.

The required tools listed on the course pages are not suggestions, you will actually need your own tools, properly set up, to gain the full value out of the workshop. Do not come to class expecting there to be extras or loaners, in many cases there will not be any. Don’t expect to borrow a class mate’s tools, that takes away from both of your experiences. Please contact us well in advance if you have tool sourcing issues so we can help you.

Curated Tool Kits

If you order a tool kit during class registration, we will do our best to have all the tools available at the start of class. We will contact you if there are supply issues or delays. Tools will not be shipped to you prior to class for any reason. Generally the tool kits are non-refundable once the order is in progress. Until further notice tool kits and special tools may only be ordered along with a workshop registration.