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Harold Galbraith

Woodworking Workshop

with Harold Galbraith 

August 15 - 17, 2025​​​​

Dovetail and Mortise Joints
Woodworking Tools

Course Description

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In woodworking the two most important joints are the dovetail and mortise and tenon. These joints are used extensively, almost exclusively, in the works from antiquity. 

Today we have many machine options for making joints. The machine option falls short of hand tool methods in many respects. The machine ensures a certain accuracy; the craftsman is reduced to an appendage of the machine. The work loses the personal touch of the artisan. There is a measurable distance between the work and the artisan, and the personal aspect is lost. In this course we will focus on the simple mortise and tenon and through dovetail joints as they have been made by our ancestral makers. Following them, our joints will be made with hand tools only. Learning is guaranteed by process and repetition.

 

Attendees will execute each of these joints with the goal being that each joint can be made automatically and process internalized.  This can only be achieved with practice.  The ultimate goal is to achieve your own "perfection" without thinking.

 

The course is for those who have a familiarity with woodworking but would like a more intimate experience with the craft. Mastery of these joints allows you free range to design as you wish!

1987 of Harold Galbraith at Farmers Museum

Harold in 1987 as  Cabinet-maker at The Farmers Museum

Harold Galbraith in Workshop

Harold in his Workshop Today

Woodworking Resume:

 Cabinetmaker: The Farmer's Museum, Cooperstown, NY

 Education: Wendell Castle School, Scottsville NY

 Instructor: Arrowmont/ETWG 

 Awarded Commission: US Federal Reserve Bank, Cleveland, Ohio

 Juried member ETWG

  

Shows:

 Merrit Gallery, Rochester NY

 Milliken Gallery, New York NY

 State University of New York (SUNY) Gallery, Albany NY

 Gallery 52, Cooperstown NY

 Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown, NY

 Best in Show, East Tennessee Woodworkers Guild (ETWG),   Knoxville TN

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“Woodworking has been an important part of my life for over sixty years including fifteen years as a professional"

About Harold Galbraith

Please Bring:

  • Chisel set 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 inch

  • Small back saw, 15 point rip is desirable

  • Marking knife

  • Marking and mortise gauge's

  • Square

  • Dovetail square or bevel square

  • Mallet

  • Stock for practice will be provided

Lodging & Meals:

Purple Martin Cabin

Lodging will be a single occupancy bedroom in a cabin with a shared bath within easy walking distance of the Powell River Pavilion where the sessions will be held. A get-together pizza supper will be provided Friday at 6 pm at the Pavilion; please plan to provide your own meals otherwise during the weekend. There is a kitchenette in the cabins and there is a small commercial kitchen at the Pavilion which is available for participants to prepare meals jointly.​

Questions?

For questions regarding the workshop please email Harold at:

 hgalbraith45@gmail.com 

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For question regarding registration please email Heather at

 registration@wellbeingfoundation.org​

Registration & Payment

The cost to attend this 2-night workshop is $445 and covers tuition, lodging, and all applicable fees.

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Registration will be limited to four people to maximize individualized instruction.

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Check-in will be from 3:00-5:00pm on Friday August 15th and workshop will conclude at 1:00pm on Sunday August 17th

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Please register and submit payment using the registration form below​​

CONTACT US

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patty@wellbeingcc.org

423-626-9000 

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GPS Address:  557 Narrows Road, Tazewell, TN  37879

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Mailing Address:  376 Well Being Circle, Tazewell, TN  37879

MISSION DRIVEN, DONOR SUPPORTED

 

Well Being Retreat Center offers spiritual, meditation, nature and yoga retreats. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting harmony with nature, wellness of body and peace of mind.

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