The Woodwright's Shop

9.0

1981•27m

Production

The Woodwright's Shop is a traditional woodworking show hosted by Roy Underhill on the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States. It is one of the longest running "how to" shows on PBS. Since its debut in 1979, the show has aired over 400 episodes. The first two seasons were broadcast only on public TV in North Carolina; the season numbering was restarted when the show went national in 1981. It is still filmed at the UNC-TV studios in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

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Seasons

13 Episodes • Premiered 1981

1. Maul & Glut

Watch Roy make two traditional tools by first felling a tree then shaping a maul and glut using period iron woodworking tools.

2. Shaving Horse

Learn how to make a shaving horse – one of the most important hand-tool shop fixtures for working with drawknives and spokeshaves.

3. Shaving Horse Part 2

Learn how to make a shaving horse – one of the most important hand-tool shop fixtures for working with drawknives and spokeshaves.

4. Hay Rake

Spend time with Roy as he shows you how to build one of his favorite projects: a hickory hay rake that is both strong and lightweight.

5. Lathes

Join Roy on a tour of the history and development of human powered machines, including one of his favorites: the lathe.

6. Rocking Chair

Learn how to build a classic armless rocking chair using traditional tools and techniques. Then create a woven white oak seat for the rocker. Plus, watch as Roy’s guest Bryant Holsenbeck demonstrates how to weave a traditional basket.

7. Rocking Chair Part 2

8. Log Cabin

Watch as Roy demonstrates the steps and hand-hewn joinery used in building traditional log cabins.

9. Timberframe Construction

Watch and learn as Roy addresses the details of timber framing, including post-and-beam and mortise-and-tenon construction techniques.

10. Dough Bowls and Pitch Forks

Watch as Roy makes a pitchfork and a dough bowl, each from a single piece of wood.

11. Blacksmithing

Spend some time at the forge with Roy to learn basic blacksmithing techniques and discover how to create a spike dog (a tool used in timber framing).

12. Panel Frame and Dovetail

Follow along as Roy discusses frame-and-panel construction for doors, and the basic steps for cutting a dovetailed joint.

13. Colonial Williamsburg

Travel with Roy to Colonial Williamsburg to take a look at 18th-century craftsmanship including a visit with a wheelwright, a cooper and a blacksmith, as well as a look inside the Anthony Hay Cabinet Shop.