2025-08-21 – Bentwood Box (In-Person)
Schedule:
August 21-24 (9:00 am-5:00 pm CT)
Instructor:
Hal Bitzer
Location:
This is an in-person class held at Vesterheim Folk Art School.
Bentwood boxes are made by wetting a strip of wood and then bending it around a form to dry into a curved shape. We will begin with learning the history of the "typical" Scandinavian bentwood box and its different types and uses. You will learn how to select the wood, make a mold, wet the wood, and bend it on a form. Different types of lacing will be discussed. Lastly, you will learn how to construct and fit the bottom and lid in place on your finished box.
Level of Instruction:
Some experience with wood and knifework needed.
Supplies:
The instructor will provide all materials for a $20 materials fee, paid directly to the instructor during the class.
The instructor will also provide the following tools to share, but participants may bring any of these tools they have already on hand.
- Hand router with 3/8" bit
- Hand drill with 7/64" and 3/32" bits
- Sandpaper: 100, 150, 220 grit paper; 80 grit cloth
- Toothpicks, round
- Pencils: regular and Veritas Indelible (writes on wet wood)
- Wood glue
- Wet wipes
- C clamps: 1", 1 ½", 2 ½" multiple needed
- Bar clamps: various lengths
- Trough to soak wood/root lacing – 3 ft. needed
- Camping stove to heat water in trough
- Carving knives (Pfeil or comparable)
- Skew: Pfeil D1S/8 or palm type 3/8 in.
- Fishtail: Pfeil 7F/16 (optional)
- Gouges: Pfeil 3/16, 6/16, D7/14
Enrollment Deadline:
Click here to learn more about instructor Hal Bitzer.
Please read our COVID-19 Policies here.
Vesterheim's woodworking classes are supported in part by a generous gift to the Vesterheim Annual Fund from the Eric and Joan Norgaard Charitable Trust.