Mr. Sawdust School Only in NJ
Owner – Instructor – Wally Kunkel
The woodworking school offers classes to adults from high school age to seniors. It has endowments for high school graduating students with job placement in local woodworking shops. The Mr. Sawdust School originally started in the 1970’s by his Dad assisted by Wally and his brothers teaching, is currently in Hackettstown, NJ. Wally is a 50+ year woodworker and eagerly shares his knowledge with his students. The school is housed in an 1800’s timber framed building that Wally has refurbished and set up as an exceptional teaching shop.
Frank Klausz
Frank is Americas favorite woodworker, world-renowned as a cabinetmaker and teacher for half a century and is currently retired. He started woodworking the “Old School” way, with hand tools, as he was tutored by his father and grandfather in the traditional craft building furniture in his native country of Hungary. His cabinet shop in NJ was well known for its fine furniture and custom work. He willingly shares his knowledge at many woodworking shows, colleges, woodworking clubs and articles in woodworking magazines and DVD’s. A good friend of Wally Kunkel, he actively supports the Mr. Sawdust School of Professional Woodworking and has even attended classes there.
Dan Lawrence
Dan is a designer, craftsman, woodworker and educator. He attended the Rhode Island School of Design and studied under Tage Frid. He is a retired public school shop teacher and currently enjoys the fundamentals of woodworking and working with students at the Mr. Sawdust School of Professional Woodworking.
Mr. Sawdust School Seminars, 2023
Friday 1:00 – 2:00 Sharpening Cutters, Chisels & Scrapers
Wally will demonstrate this important skill for the woodworker with in depth procedures to get the perfect sharp edge in minimum time. Both free hand sharpening and honing guide techniques will be demonstrated. Wally will demonstrate his unique technique of sharpening card scrapers and their uses.
Friday Friday: 3:00 – 4:00 Bench Plane Tune-up
The use of a bench plane first starts with a tune-up to ensure you get the maximum performance from it. Even a plane fresh from the factory should be gone over to ensure it is at its peak of performance. This presentation will demonstrate methods of getting a bench plane in top working condition regardless of its make and condition.
Saturday 11:00 – 12:00 - Bench Plane Tune-up
The use of a bench plane first starts with a tune-up to ensure you get the maximum performance from it. Even a plane fresh from the factory should be gone over to ensure it is at its peak of performance. This presentation will demonstrate methods of getting a bench plane in top working condition regardless of its make and condition.
Saturday 1:00 – 2:00 – Hand Cut Dovetails – Frank Klausz
Frank Klausz will demonstrate his amazing method for speedy “pins first” hand cut through dovetails with hand tools. He will discuss the layout and parts of a dovetail joint. The tools needed and techniques required to perform strong solid dovetail joints will be discussed.
Saturday 2:00 - 4:00 – Shaping on the DeWalt Radial Saw
Wally will demonstrate how to shape an irregular molding using a vintage DeWalt radial arm saw. Thus further explaining the procedures illustrated in his Dad’s book – How to Master the Radial Saw, by Wallace M. Kunkel.
Sunday 11:00 - 12:00 - Sharpening Cutters, Chisels & Scrapers
Wally will demonstrate this important skill for the woodworker with in depth procedures to get the perfect sharp edge in minimum time. Both free hand sharpening and honing guide techniques will be demonstrated. Wally will demonstrate his unique technique of sharpening card scrapers and their uses.
Sunday 1:00 – 2:00 - Bench Plane Tune-up
The use of a bench plane first starts with a tune-up to ensure you get the maximum performance from it. Even a plane fresh from the factory should be gone over to ensure it is at its peak of performance. This presentation will demonstrate methods of getting a bench plane in top working condition regardless of its make and condition.