Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 08, 1999 06:41am | #1

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   Dan, I would say they are worth the cost. They produce some very talented craftsman. Their graduates are the epitomy of the true craftsman.

   Several years ago, I considered enrolling with NB, but the logistics of moving and finances got the better of me.

   If I were to reconsider I'd go in a hearbeat.

   Of course, you can apprentice yourself to the maestro, if you can find him and if you don't mind investing years and years to get to the point that NB will take you.

   See, schools like NB do in several years what would otherwise take decades. How much money will you make going the apprenticeship route versus the money and skill you will acquire through NB?

   There is a high initial cost associated with NB, but there exists that cost in being someone's apprentice, or self-employed. Instead of learning on each job(with the inherent liability), you will reach the level of excellence sooner. The tuition will be paid off much sooner because you will be working at a higher level sooner.

   Besides, they also spend time on how to run a shop. Besides just going out and hanging a shingle, where are you going to learn the real art of running a business?

   As an accredited school, the qualify for all kinds of financial aid. Go for it, Dan.

2. 
   Russell_Seaton | Jan 08, 1999 07:37am | #2

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   No experience with any of the famous schools or unfamous ones. Woodworking that is. I have spent a few years in school. Probably far more than North Bennett Street allows one to remain at theirs.

   The Krenov College of the Redwoods in Fort Bragg CA and North Bennett in Boston graduates always have articles and very beautiful furniture in all of the woodworking magazines. These are the top two for most recognized schools.

   Pesonal opinion here but I don't think North Bennett is for you. It seems to me the people who go to these schools are going because their life's desire is to be a meticulous high, high end craftsman of beautiful wood furniture. They don't wonder if its worth the monetary cost to achieve this goal. They know these schools and a few other will allow them to reach their goal. They know with their desire and hardwork and time and teaching they will be craftsman.

   You can reach the level of craftsmanship the graduates of these schools produce on your own. Their are many, many woodworkers who produce equally beautiful pieces who did not go to a woodworking school. It just takes time and desire to learn. Desire most of all.

   Read Fine Woodworking and their annual issue of Furniture. You will find many many of the contributors graduated from North Bennett and Krenov.

3. 
   Dan_Hagmeier | Jan 08, 1999 08:04pm | #3

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   I am looking to join the "Restoration Carpentry" field but have very little information on how to go about it. I have some building experience (Habitat for Humanity, Helping a friend with framming and roofing etc, and a part-time paid gig doing some renovation on another friends home). I received some information from the North Bennett St. School in Boston(as read about in Fine Home Building) but I am not sure if their price-tag for tuition is worth the investment. Does anyone know of the N. Bennett St. School or other programs like it? Any information you provide will be greatly appreciated.

4. 
   Guest_ | Jan 08, 1999 08:04pm | #4

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   Dan,

   I've thought about the North Bennett Street School too, but ruled it out for time and money. I'm 41 and started doing Restoration Carpentry about 5 years ago. It is slow to learn and build a business at the same time. I wish I had the money to go to Univ. of Pennsylvania's Preservation Architecture program. Very Expensive.

   Could you elaborate on what you think restoration carpentry is? To me it meant restoring pre-war and earlier houses. I'm not sure there is any school that teaches that. Lots of book-reading, experience gained over time and thank god for the web!

   Steve Zerby