Looking for a school

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67
Hello all,

I am at a point in my life where it is time for a change. I am looking to go to school to reinvent myself and develop my skills as a woodworker. I have worked in and owned a cabinet shop but I am looking for the fine woodworking skills I have yet to acquire. I plan to use my GI bill benefits so I am not looking for workshops. I am willing to devote up to two years and the location is not that important but I would like to stay east of the Mississipi. The schools I am researhing are Center for Furniture craftsmanship, Apalachian center for craft and North Bennet. I have been able to find information on North bennett and some on the Center for Furniture craftsmanship but none on the Appalachian center for craft. If anyone could provide me with some additional information on these programs or other programs I would really appreciate it.



Thanks

Greg
 
I did an apprenticeship in a working custom shop. I can't say enough about the learning experience. In a year I learned how to do the woodworking and also a working business model. IMO it was a lot more practical experience than what I see coming out of the schools. Just my two cents.
 
My suggestion as far as using your GI bill is to not overlook CNC. Learning a couple of 3D modeling programs like Solidworks, some CAM software, and control software like Mach3 as well as learning to run a CNC router would be huge in my book. I'm hoping to get started building my own CNC router soon and will be learning all this stuff on my own. I see huge potential for it in any woodworking business.
 
I have been able to find information on North bennett and some on the Center for Furniture craftsmanship but none on the Appalachian center for craft. If anyone could provide me with some additional information on these programs or other programs I would really appreciate it.

Greg,

Looks like they give a Bachelor of Fine Arts: http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/home/

Interesting stuff happens there: http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/woodworkshops/

Cool location in a nice part of the world.

There's a lot to be said for hanging out with artisans who work in other mediums.

And it's a fully accredited University, so you should have no trouble with your benefits.

Best,

Bill
 
Greg,

Looks like they give a Bachelor of Fine Arts: http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/home/

Interesting stuff happens there: http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/woodworkshops/

Cool location in a nice part of the world.

There's a lot to be said for hanging out with artisans who work in other mediums.

And it's a fully accredited University, so you should have no trouble with your benefits.

Best,

Bill

Looks like a program to check out. Maybe take a campus visit. They've also got a CNC program you might be able to use some electives on:

http://www.tntech.edu/mit/cnc/
 
I did a campus visit Thursday at the tntech appalachian center for craft Very impressed. The only thing I didn't like was the dorms. As I would be living there during the week and going home on the weekends. However I have access to the shop 24/7. Access to power tools until ten pm. I think I am going to take the plunge the wife is Fully supportive of this. She really just wants to get rid of me for a while. Close to home (4 hrs). Great instructor and facilities.
 
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