Hand Carved Tongs

Join artist, designer and architect Dan Hawkins for this one-day introduction to woodworking and create a beautiful and unique set of wooden tongs. Dan will guide students through the process of designing and selecting appropriate materials, while discussing a variety of styles and profiles for inspiration. With instruction on how to use a band saw, jig saw, and belt sander, students will dive into the safe use of power tools to shape their tong sides. Students then will design the shape of their handle and create a custom set of clamping blocks to match the handle’s angle and length, in preparation for what is called the “glue-up” process - assembling the tong form using wood glue.

In the second half of the day, time will be spent shaping the tongs using a combination of power and hand tools. Finally, Dan will demonstrate how to apply a food-safe finish coat of wax to prepare the tongs for the many years of use to come! Each student will leave class with at least one set of handmade wooden tongs, and a comprehensive understanding of foundational woodworking tools and techniques.