Hand Tool Woodworking Class for Veterans

CBC Interview 

Edmonton Journal Interview 

Edmonton Journal Video Interview 

My name is Ron Noftall and I live in Edmonton, AB.  I am asking for donations in order to run a 5 Day Hand Tool Woodworking for Veterans Course on an ongoing basis.  I am a veteran of 27 years in the Canadian Armed Forces with two tours in Afghanistan.  I have PTSD and have found that woodworking really helps with my focus and settling my mind in the rough times.  I have been a woodworker for over 25 years and spent the last few years concentrating more on hand tool work.  

I have my own woodworking business (Branch Out Woodworking Ltd.) and I have the space to set up a classroom for four students.

My goal is to share my experience with other veterans so that they too could use woodworking as a tool to bring them some peace as they strive to deal with their struggles. To achieve this goal I need to buy hand tools for four students and build workbenches.  The price for veterans to take the course will be minimal to cover the cost of wood and consumables. 

The plan for the course is to teach the following basics:
- Plane Setup and Sharpening
- Chisel Sharpening
- Sawing Technique
- Dimensioning Rough Lumber by Hand
- Through Dovetails/Half Blind Dovetails
- Mortise and Tenon Joinery

Any donations big or small are appreciated to help me reach my goal. 

Sincerely,

Ron Noftall