I've been taking woodworking lessons from Neal for a couple years now. I initially took the beginner's course (where we built a modular shelving unit, a tool box and a small end table/box--I think in that order). I thought the beginner's class was great and really enjoyed spending a couple hours on the weekends learning a new skill, so I signed up for one of the advanced courses. Since then I've built a coffee table and a bench, and am just about done making a cabinet. I really look forward to heading to the shop on Saturday mornings. I think Neal's great. He really knows what he's doing since he's been building furniture for a living his whole life and has been teaching classes for years. He's funny and seems to enjoy teaching his classes--especially the advanced courses. I actually created a yelp account specifically to review Neal's business after reading the negative reviews a few people posted about him and his classes. I think that the people who have an issue with him are the ones who walk into the class and act like know-it-alls and think they're experts. If that's how you approach things, this isn't the right class for you. One thing I definitely want to address is the comment that Neal harasses women in his classes. I've taken four classes with the guy--that puts me at somewhere between 100 and 150 hours in the shop with him. All of the classes have had women in them--sometimes more women than men--and I've never seen anything verging on harassment or inappropriate behavior. So I really don't know where that's coming from. Neal's pretty no-nonsense and talks to the women in his classes like he talks to the guys, which seems to me to be the way it should be. I'd also note that no women seem to be complaining here about this "harassment", so that leads me to believe they either really enjoy it or it doesn't exist, and I'm guessing it's the latter. I've recommended the classes to friends and will continue to do so. Since starting I went from not knowing anything at all about woodworking and how to build stuff to feeling confident about buying some real woodworking tools and trying to start my own projects. read more

My uncle lives in a house that he nearly single handedly built himself in the woods of Vermont. It's sturdy, beautiful, and expertly crafted. So I thought, "surely I must have some of this handiness in my previously totally non-handy self." But before I plunked down thousands of dollars for lathes, circular saws and other manly machines you can buy at Home Depot, I thought I'd test the waters with a woodworking class. Finding one in Chicago proved harder than expected until one say I saw a flyer at a local coffee shop advertising Woodsmyths. It sounded like exactly what I'd been looking for: hands on, experience with a variety of common woodworking tools, and a mix of instruction and projects. The class started out fine enough: there were about 10 people, we read some handouts, received some brief instructions, then got down to business. I liked that we'd get to work on things ourselves that we'd then take home to keep, but the instruction left a lot to be desired. The teacher is a bit eccentric and seemed more concerned that everyone finished their projects than whether they actually learned anything. I felt rushed, didn't feel encouraged to ask questions and when I did, the instructor often just fixed my problem for me instead of showing me how to do it. After 10 weeks and $350, I had three items I'd crafted mostly myself: a toolbox, a simple bookshelf and a storage box-style end table. The last of these I really liked and still have, the others didn't survive my most recent apartment move. And disappointingly, I don't feel like I really learned all that much. The teacher was a stickler for safety (a good thing), so I feel mostly comfortable operating woodworking machines. But I don't feel like I know better now than I did before the class what to do with them. I know Woodsmyths also offers a more advanced class that people seem to take, so maybe others had better experiences that I. So if you can't find any other woodworking class options, it may be worth giving this one a go. But don't expect to be anywhere but a tiny step closer to building your own cozy bungalow in the New England woods. read more

Anyone who is taking this furniture making class is probably not looking to start a career as woodworker. I signed up for the the class to scratch my wood working itch to see if it might turn into a cool new hobby. I was hoping to learn some things about building furniture and seeing if it was something I want to explore further. The intro class is a 10 week program and I made it to week 5 before throwing in the towel. Neil has no business teaching anything. The guy has a major anger and control problem. The class is run from a converted garage behind his house and he doesn't have enough tools to accommodate everybody in the class. Space is tight. Which is manageable and means we had to take turns and learn to work as a group so we all didn't need the same tools at the same time. Not a big deal. However he made it a huge deal. He micromanaged everything to the point of driving quite a few of us insane. He's like the Anal Retentive Carpenter on an angry coke binge. By week 3, he didn't know any of the names of us dudes in the class yet he knew all of he names of the women in the class. Why? Because he was routinely hitting on them in pathetic ways. And probably burning mental images of them into his brain for lonely nights at home when his internet connection goes out. Week 1: The completely useless and extremely painful safety lecture. He talked for 3 hours about: really nothing. He told drinking stories and babbled about nothing that really had to do with safety. Captain Obvious. There wasn't much useful safety content. It was painful to sit through. I assume he doesn't lead by example since he violated all of his own safety rules routinely. Week 2-4: We started on a shelf project. Most of the components were precut and the bulk of experience was sanding things with an orbital sander and drilling screws. Think graduate level Ikea assembly. During the drilling part, he handed out a bunch of phillips driver bits that are used in drills. These are $.99 pieces. He handed out five of them and when we were cleaning up, we could only find four of the five. He went on a tirade that we weren't respecting his tools and had all 7 of us crawl around on the floor for 20 minutes looking for it. We never found it. Neil found it later - in his own pocket when he was doing laundry. When anyone asked questions about anything, he would get really agitated. Like we were dumb dumbs for not knowing wood is sold in 1/4 lengths. Duh. The following week, we were measuring pieces for our shelf project using a tape measure. We had a tape measure we were sharing among the group. Neil walked by our work bench and asked who was using the tape measure. None of us responded because none of us were using it. He went insane. He started yelling and screaming about keeping the work area clean. He started cussing like a scene from The Exorcist, opened the door to the shop and then chucked the tape measure out into the street. This is the same guy who the previous week gave a lecture about respecting the tools and had us crawling around on the floor for a $.99 piece. The guy has no business teaching. There are plenty of other good working schools in the city where you can learn the skills of a potentially very rewarding hobby. read more

I've always admired nice furniture and I've always wanted to build things that were meant to last. After moving to the city I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to learn and so I checked out a few different woodworking courses. Some of the other schools seemed as though they were for students to just dip their toes in the water. I chose Woodsmyths after reading through the website and finding that students "learn the fundamentals of wood and wood furniture building." Within two or three weeks, we'd finished a nice pine shelving unit. I was describing it to my father--a bricklayer and woodworker himself--and the first thing he asked me was "How'd you cut the dado?" Before I finished saying that Neil demonstrated the cut, he followed up with "Good, good. You shouldn't be on the table saw just yet." Now, my father gave me a power drill for Christmas when I was eight, but almost twenty years later he still advised that I get a little more comfortable with the fundamentals before working with a table saw. There were about five or six of us in the beginner course. We showed up every Monday and worked through the evening while an old radio hummed quietly to itself in the corner. Every now and then, Neil would hear something like Boston out of the corner of his ear and he'd crank the volume up to tell you about a really good show he'd been to. Either that or he'd notice a big pile of sawdust building on the table in front of you and he'd tell you to clean it up--short and to the point--the same way I'd heard my father and his friends address each other on the jobsite. Neil keeps his shop clean for his students' safety and there is no arguing with him on that fact. He won't sugar-coat it, but it doesn't mean he's mad at you or that he doesn't like you. He wants you to understand that you are around very dangerous machinery and that you should keep your workspace clean. After completing the shelf, a traditional toolbox, and an end table in 10-12 weeks, I signed up for Neil's advanced class. There were three of us. Neil set an oak cabinet in front of us, gave use each a tape measure and pencil, and said, "Ok folks, get to work." It was three or four months since my first woodworking class, and I felt very comfortable approaching such a project with what I'd learned in the beginner course. We measured, selected wood, and made the cuts ourselves with Neil guiding us rather than mostly demonstrating as he'd done in previous weeks. As we finished up, Neil even had me calling in to order the glass for the doors of my cabinet rather than just doing it himself. With about seven months of classes under my belt, and a beautiful oak cabinet to show for it, I feel comfortable sharing that woodworking is a skill that requires time, patience, and attention. I read recently that tailors' apprentices sew trousers for ten years before even touching jackets. It took me seven months to build four very nice pieces and I feel like I have a strong foundation to continue learning. I'm also glad to know Neil and to say that he's a genuine guy. He's a tough Chicago tradesman and he's very straightforward for the sake of safety, but like I said earlier, it doesn't mean he doesn't like you. He respects woodworking and he gets along with people who share that interest. read more

I really enjoyed taking this class and having Neal as an instructor. This class should be called Woodworking and Life Lessons. We learned a lot about wood and tools, but we also learned a lot about each other and had some deep conversations. There were two other people in my class. As far as woodworking, Neal asks questions in a way so that you think through building your project instead of just having step by step instructions. In this class you can expect safety first and that also means having a very clean classroom. Neal is straightforward when he talks. The class was very organized. Some cuts are pre-made and instructions are always posted before class starts. Neal will demonstrate how he got to the cuts and then will demonstrate next steps and possibly a lesson about tools or wood. I built a shelving unit, a toolbox, and an end table. read more

Woodsmyths Woodworking - Showing off my projects. - Specialty Schools Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

These are fun classes in a real professional shop (as opposed to a pure school facility) with plenty of hands-on training and an instructor who is passionate about woodworking and teaching. You come out of these classes with a set of valuable skills and work that you can display proudly. If you haven't done much woodworking in the past or have used primarily only hand tools, this class is a great introduction to using power tools safely and effectively. You'll get hands-on experience using the radial arm saw, table saw, router, scrolling saw, drill, and a couple of sanders. You also learn a lot about the building process and correct order of steps when creating furniture to yield the best results. You gain valuable knowledge about the properties and physics of wood, the economics of furniture building, and a host of other practical aspects. This class is about skills, approach, safety, and process more than projects. If you'd like a project-oriented class that gives you specific instructions about how to build a particular table and doesn't relate that knowledge to woodworking skills and principles in general, this isn't for you. The projects in the class are geared towards teaching techniques and skills that you can apply more broadly (how to cut a dado, how to make a mitre joint, etc.) That being said, you come away with some great stuff - a huge bookshelf, a really nice old-fashioned toolbox, and an end table with storage space... all in 10 weeks! Make no mistake-- this class is a DEAL as far as Chicago woodworking goes-- less than $400 gets you 30 hours of instruction and all tools and materials are included. You can barely BUY three pieces of handmade wooden furniture for that little! Finally, a note on the instructor. Neal's a great teacher and a real expert, seriously. Yes, he's a quirky guy, no doubt about it, and comes across at first as a no-BS tough guy, especially in the first session (the excellent introduction to safety). But this is because his main priority is that you learn how to operate tools safely, and that means that he wants you to take it very seriously, even if it means scaring you a little bit and testing the waters to see if you're serious about it as well. And he is extremely passionate about wood and woodworking and wants to make sure you learn to do things in the best possible way without hurting yourself or breaking the tools, which is why he will, yes, flip out if he sees you doing something stupid that could potentially injure you or someone around you. It takes some getting used to, but in the end it's not a bad thing, and I'm a lot more vigilant about safety than I might otherwise have been in a "softer" class. And Neal's really a more sympathetic teacher than he might first seem- he actively solicits feedback, encourages questions, and makes sure people feel comfortable with what they're doing. So, in short, I think this class has been fantastic, and everyone in my class liked it enough that they're all thinking about taking the advanced class sometime in the future. read more

Woodsmyths Woodworking - The first project in the intro class at Woodsmyth's - Specialty Schools Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've know Neil for years and yes he is a bit of an eccentric, but he is really a great craftsman. He is also a safety nut...and he does tend to hammer on that a lot...but its for your own good...really...you do not want to cut off your fingers! Because of that he may seem a bit overboard but if you really want to learn to make some cool stuff, please just pay attention and do what he says and try not to complain. Its to your benefit and you will make some cool stuff...I have some of that stuff still, some shelves, a cool little storage table and lots of frames. For what you learn it a good price and I didn't cut my fingers, which is super important to me especially since I do bodywork and I just wouldn't be any good if I did. He really is a good person but you just need to look past the grouchy old guy :) read more

Neal was amazing to work with. We had a VERY last minute request to have a hole carved into a whiskey barrel and a nice lid made for our friends wedding that we had coming up so she had a cool rustic momentum for people to put cards in. He was able to accommodate us right away the same day we inquired. It turned out amazing. I am not sure what we would have done otherwise- its hard to find this kind of service in Chicago. So thank you Neal! read more

Woodsmyths Woodworking - Barrel hole and top- awesome and very professional work. - Specialty Schools Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Just finishing my second wood project in WoodSmyth's woodworking class, and it has surprised me with how much fun it is. This is serious wood education, where you learn fundamental and classic woodworking techniques like miter cuts, dados, tenon joinery in evening classes from a guy who is a professional cabinetmaker during the daytime. It's a unique opportunity to learn the essentials of woodworking, like developing a plan, measuring techniques, and construction and assembly of components in a logical progression. You also come away with completed projects that exceed in value the fee for the class. Class leader Neil Scher is patient and knowledgeable, so it is easy to learn at his side. It's highly recommended. Bill Esler Custom Woodworking Business magazine editor read more

(Edit) Class "WAS" fun till he ripped a friend for his interest in showing initiative. I opted to skip the last class after spending the second to last class basically standing around, sweeping, or sanding. Classes pittered out towards the end and the last 2 classes I attended ended early due to finishing up sooner than planning. So instead of working on something new, learning something new, etc...he just ended class sooner than expected. Neal is a bit of an OCD control freak, but also a working professional that operates this class on the side (or as a main income generator?). As I said below, if you have "Zero" experience, then you might like this class. But if you have picked up a sander, drill, or screw drivers, skip this class and learn from other people instead. Neal is more interested in spending time talking about previous classes, bad Yelp reviews, and keeping "his" shop clean, and will offer limited or little to no external guidance or help on a class or project. When class started, we had 6 people: 2 dropped after the 2nd class, 1 dropped after the 5th class, 1 entered in from a different night, and 1 dropped after week 7. So by the end, only 2 of the original 6 stayed (if they both stayed). You will be make a shelf - a nice build, you'll learn about cutting and measuring, and sanding. Second project, an old-fashioned tool box. This is actually pretty cool, fully functional, and fun to make. This introduces dove-tails, and joints, accurate measuring, and a bit of router magic. Last project, a small 4 sided pyramid type end-table, that measures about 20 inches tall I think?? That one was neat to build too, but I never finished it nor do i intend on asking for it back. However, just because a project is neat, does not make the class the same. Whatever you do, don't ask too many technical questions, and don't ask logistic questions (like why type of wood is better and why, or what tool should I buy, or can I use that tool). Read the negative comments throughout this forum and you'll see a pattern and a very commonality. Yes, you can ask a question, and yes, he will answer it. But if you don't like the answer or have a follow up question, forget it. Neal holds grudges and does not like some people and instead of trying to work with those people he will intentionally blackball said individuals and make the class more miserable and more uncomfortable for everyone in the class. A few stories he will will tell (like about taking a student out for a drink) resonated as he pulled that same game on us (took us out for drinks after a ridiculous class). So you can anticipate that he'll bring this up in a future class. Also, you'll have to sign a waiver to make sure that the money you pay, you cannot request back. Not trying to be a bitter yelper, just trying to paint a picture for people so they know what they are getting into. Yes, you will learn, but come into this class with eyes wide open that he's a bit off at times. Overall, I think some people may be interested in this class, but I really wish there were better options and better ways to police classes like this. (Original post below) Made 2 shelves. I'm not going to lie: if you have Zero to 1 years of tool knowledge or experience, this class is for you. If you know how to drill a hole or cut with a jigsaw, then you may be swayed to take a different class. HOWEVER, you will learn stuff. I have learned about dovetails, jigs, and guides - all stuff I've never thought about or used before. I have built shelves, cabinets, floors, bookcases, tables and picnic tables all in the past, and use tools on a weekly basis. But I have learned a lot. The first class is a long lecture on safety, and is meant to do 2 things: (1) teach the students about safety - first and foremost, and (2) make sure everyone knows about item #1. Class is a bit hurried at times, and I would prefer to cut all my cuts and my own wood - but it's a beginner class. So take it with a grain of salt. Neal's not a bad guy, funny stories and lots of wisdom. Go into it with a positive attitude and you'll enjoy you class. Above all, remember to have fun - you're paying for it after all. read more

I would say that the all over the map reviews cover the gamut with him. I took a class from him about 20 years ago. It was one block from where I lived. The class was decent, though I can't say I learned all the much. the piece of furniture I walked away with was nice, and I still have it, though my kids have beaten it up pretty good. I would say its a quality piece of furniture and worth refinishing. Its like a tapered end table with a removable lid. I can relate to many of the stories I have read here. We didn't have too many tirades but there is definitely an edge to him. The one I can think of leads me to believe that it could be much worse. The student made an innocent mistake by drilling a hole into the masonite workbench top. I can't say he was entirely blameless but it could have happened to any one of us. As I recall there was no instruction on how to avoid that. He could have turned into a lesson on how to structure your work to prevent something like that from happening. Instead he started drilling more holes into the table top while complaining how this guy was ruining his shop. I make mistakes like this all the time, and that is the point of paying someone to show you. If I recall I paid, at the time, about $400 for the class. I can't get on his site right now so I don't know what he is chargin. If you're thin skinned or easily offended this is probably not the class for you. I got a taste for woodworking and wanted to do more but life has intervened. I don't know the Chicago School of Woodworking, but I had a neighbor who went and said it was amazing. I think to access to the shop you need to take three classes which will cost about $1,500. Contrary to HGTV its not something that can be learned easily. They start out with hand tools. how to use and maintain them properly. (keep them sharp). I have seen my neighbor's work and it was awesome. I don't regret taking this course, though I doubt I would do it again. The issue with many shop classes is that they give you a good basic course and for most that is enough. If your remain thirsty for more there is not much beyond that. This is a problem I see with all basic programs, Whether it is sewing, coding, pottery etc learning takes time and commitment, then you're left with a having to buy all the tools you have learned to use. Its nice when that is available so you can ply your craft and be part of a community of like minded souls. I don't know how far you can go with Woodsmyths but if you want a taste and have a thickish skin, then this is a decent option. read more

As a woodworker, the instructor probably has made numerous quality pieces of furniture & cabinetry , but he could benefit in upping his professionalism & methods as an instructor. He's quite a control freak & can be unpredictable & display aggressive an temperament; I was uncomfortable in several instances of his treatment of both male & female students. This is also not the best learning environment, questions don't always seem welcome & he becomes annoyed with them, even if they relate to the practice of woodworking. The class is supposed to be a "basic course on woodworking, tools and safety" but I find it's pretty slow & not as engaging as it should be for a class of adult learners. I did not have a pleasant experience in this class at all, & decided to quit with only 2 weeks remaining. It was not worth my time, energy and integrity to stay. Reading through, I found that the other negative reviews are pretty accurate. I edited this post a few weeks after my initial post because I didn't want to leave possibly damaging example stories up here. I think this edit along with other reviews gets the point across. Positive takeaway: I respect that Woodsymths DID refund me in full after I quit the class. -DB read more

Taking the course, you will come home with three beautifully crafted handmade projects. You will learn of safety basics, and OF operating various tools. Because it's a beginner course, almost every aspect of every project is precut. You will walk away with basic knowledge of several woodworking techniques and feel comfortable working with little more than a power drill and palm sander. The instructor will briefly demo the various cuts required to make each project. At the end of the course, perpetuated by the use of custom guides and precuts, It is very unlikely that any student will have the knowledge to recreate the projects on his or her own. The course is cookie cutter down to the techniques and skills you will learn. To be fair, one must understand the limitations of what one can teach during a 10 week beginner course. Do not expect to learn anything other than what has been specifically planned out for a particular lesson. The instructor is very accommodating with missed classes, and will let students makeup the class during basically any other period of instruction that week. Style of Teaching: The instructor, Neil, teaches through verbal repetition and intimidation. He is no doubt a very skilled and talented woodworker, has a great appreciation and dedication to his craft, however IS NOT SUITED FOR INSTRUCTION. He has, in his own words, "a bad personality", and is incapable nor willing to adapt to an individual's learning needs. The learning environment is hostile. Students are addressed impolitely, reprimanded and ordered around on a constant basis. Although the instructor will ask if there are any questions, students who do ask are left feeling discouraged and their questions will often remain unanswered. This course is NOT for the curious learner. (those who like to know the reasons for why things are the way they are) You will fundamentally disagree with the instructor, be discouraged and your questions will be left unanswered. A few students received one-on-one instruction throughout the course while others were left neglected. To get additional instruction, I found myself repeatedly trying to listen-in on the personal instruction given to others while having to put up with the "what-the-f-are-you-looking-at, get-back-to-work" reaction from the instructor. Women and Sexism: If you are a woman, you will receive additional attention, however be prepared, for occasional sexist remarks, and borderline-inappropriate comments that may leave you feeling uncomfortable. Overall and not to be lightly stated, I had much higher expectations and ultimately regret taking the course. Looking back, I should have read the reviews, as several confirm very similar experiences. As someone who loves to learn, I feel robbed of enjoying my first experience woodworking and would obviously under no circumstance to recommend this course to anyone. read more

Don't waste your time or money. This class will show you how to put a puzzle together. If you are interested in learning about woodworking don't take this class. He is a control freak in every since of the word. He has anger problems and should learn how to talk and teach in a more professional manner. He invited the class to drink beer at his local bar many times( he may have a drinking problem ). I feel this course was a complete waste of my time. Neal may have a lot of knowledge about woodworking but he has zero knowledge about teaching. read more

I took Neal's classes last year. Having read the reviews I can relate to all the opinions that were given. Neal is a quirky character and can be a little patronizing at times, particularly in the introductory classes. He does this in order to get his message across about safety in the workshop. (Which is no bad thing) Having taken both the basic and advanced classes I can say that if he likes you he is an excellent teacher. (He doesn't suffer fools gladly). The classes are well thought out and while the projects you make in the introductory classes aren't that exciting it does teach you some great basic skills. As I enjoyed the basic classes I decided to move onto the advanced classes. The advanced classes were much more fun, challenging and interesting. From these classes I feel that I really learnt a lot. I also made a great cabinet too. Neal is more relaxed in the advanced classes as he knows that the students are now safety conscious. (You learn that quickly in the introductory classes). The skills he teaches in the advanced classes also follow on well from the introductory classes. To sum it up: Neal is a good teacher and once you understand his methods you will learn a lot . These skills will enable you tackle any woodworking task with confidence. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes and would highly recommend them to anyone who wants to safely learn about woodworking. read more

great place for quick wood working we always will refer customers again and again its great to have you on our neighborhood read more

This is a great intro to woodworking and the tools involved. You will be surprised at how well your projects turn out with Neils help. Neil has put together a curriculum building three projects to give you a good feel for wood joinery, techniques of accuracy and efficiency, and a basic introduction to tools and materials. There is a wide range of skill level in this class and Neil does a good job accommodating all. I took this class to see if I had talent or interest in pursuing this hobby. Neil saved me a lot of time and frustration by teaching me things that would have taken at least a year of reading, experimentation and extra expense, not to mention tips gleaned from years of experience. I would highly recommend this class to any one interested in beginning a hobby in woodworking. I now feel comfortable investing in the tools necessary for this hobby. read more

I met Neal in the Fall of 2014 when I took his intro class, and I've been coming back to him for lessons ever since. He's even assisted me in building a couple of my own designs. In my opinion, he's a great teacher. I wouldn't waste my time and money if I felt otherwise. Under his guidance, I've gained enough confidence, knowledge and skill level to the point where I can practice woodworking as a serious hobby on my own. I would readily recommend Neal's classes to people looking to learn woodworking, as well as his services to anyone looking for custom furniture. I also feel compelled to add that over the nearly two years I've known and learned from Neal, I've never witnessed any of the rude or disrespectful behavior others claim on this page. read more

I really enjoyed the class. The people in the class were great, many were fun to be around. Neil has a lot of experience in woodworking, he's done it for years and started his own business. Probably been woodworking his whole life. He's a character, very funny guy. I definitely recommend it if you are wanting to learn woodworking. read more

I met Neal thru the internet and when I met him I had a good feeling that he was good at what he do. I took 8 cabinet doors to him to have the panels cut out and replace with frosted glass when they were finished OMG!!!!!! they were BEAUTIFUL I love my cabinet doors now with the glass in them. My contractor said I should not replace it with the glass but when I got them back home and hung them up when he came over he could not believe how beautiful they were he said they do look good with that frosted glass in there. Oh by the way I have oak cabinet and they were too grainy for me with all the waves of the wood in the panels. read more

I learned some interesting things about woodworking, but the instructor is a nightmare. He was rude, crass, obnoxious, sexist, and just a flat-out condescending jerk. You can learn just as much elsewhere without having to deal with him. Unless you are a pretty girl, in which case he will be nice to you. Also, he makes a oinking (like a pig) sound. Seriously. read more

Think twice before paying this man your hard-earned money. Example number one: The instructor finds a scrap of sandpaper in the garbage that he feels is still useable, so he pulls it out. Ok, not a big deal or anything yet. Except he turns to the class (6 people) and starts yelling. "I would like to kill whoever threw this away!" Yikes. Other times he'll come over and yell at you for using a piece of sandpaper too much, when in reality you just started with it. Here's the summary: You may actually learn something about woodworking here and that's great, but you definitely will be uncomfortable every time you are in his shop. The one reviewer who said it's like walking on broken glass really nailed it. Every time you are there you will be waiting for the instructor to freak out and yell at you or your classmates about something unrelated to safety. I'm not sure what his deal is, but he is certainly not professional and most likely won't treat you with any respect. There are other options for woodworking school in Chicago for around the same price, use them. You might find this a bit contradictory to the last reviewer, but this is the true story. In fact the other reviewer sounds a lot like an ad for Woodsmyths and not a real review. I could be wrong, maybe she's a masochist. One final thought for any women considering this class, some of the women in my class were constantly hit on by the instructor. As if any suggestion of that in a classroom would be acceptable, he went far enough to make everyone in class very uncomfortable. Needless to say I wouldn't want any of my female friends subjected to that. read more

I took the intro class to learn about woodworking. I had never used a power tool and I was scared to use a hammer. After taking the class, I learned a lot about safety and it helped me respect the craft immensely. I walked out with 3 very cool and useful projects which I use to-date. I even ventured out to make my own mini project at home. I would not have been able to do it without the lessons of Woodsmyths Woodworking. I would take another class here for other projects. read more

Don't be fooled. I have more complaints than compliments. First, the instructor is not very good. He may be technically gifted but he is a terrible teacher; if he picks you as one of his obvious favorites, then you will get all the attention and instruction you could possibly want. If not, you might as well not even be there. If you take this class, you better have a thick skin because he can be abusive, schizophrenic, and most times unhelpful. I cannot count how many times I thought to myself, "this guy does not realize that we are paying customers and that this isn't boot camp." Plus, when I asked questions about what type of router he would recommend buying, all I got was mumbling and then he finally said "whatever one you think is best." Not very professional. He also berated a student in front of everyone for no reason, kicked him out of the class, and continued to bitch about it for the rest of the semester. About the class: I would give it maybe one more star. You don't learn nearly as much as you think you will, because (1) the majority of the materials are pre-cut by him, so you don't learn how to do them, and (2) there is no tolerance for questions and if you disagree with him, you better keep it to yourself. There is some helpful material on measuring and other odds and ends, but it was not worth the aggravation. Find another class. read more

I waited a long time to write this review to make sure there were no emotional reactions. I also wanted to have a comparison for others to draw upon. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! If you want something built this may be a good place, but not to learn. After taking classes as Chicago School of Woodworking I now know the difference! Not only is Neil mean and rude, but his class is next to worthless. Here's how he explains how to buy hardwood. "It comes in all different sizes (lengths) and when they say 1" its really 3/4" so now lets get to work." As I found out at CSW its referred to in quarters (as in 4 quarters makes 1 inch) not in the dimensions Neil told us it was in, but lengths and width are variable per board. Also all you use is a drill and sander. He does not allow you to use the table saw, router, or anything else. Joints are all done for you so you don't learn how do use different joints and pros and cons of each. At CSW you are responsible for all cuts of 9 different joints and measurements. Sure the first class is all hand tools and lectures are a bit dry, but you actually did the projects and not just assembled them. So putting all personal issues aside (and Neil is the worst instructor of all time and a terribly mean person) you learn next to nothing. Spend the money wisely on a different class either woodworking or art or anything else! But thanks to CSW my woodworking career will be going strong for years! read more

I took a beginner class at Woodsmyths and it was a perfect fit. (there are different class levels) I did not know much about the woodwork and after this class I feel like I did learn a lot. You make some useful wood products as well. The classes are well planned and allow you to finish the project on time. The instructor is helpful and explains rather well. If you have some interest in woodwork and don't know where to start this is a good class for you. read more

He is a madman and a liar. I took his class ( well started to) part way through he threw me out. This was after mr. safety threw a tool key at my head, a load of wood onto a running table saw table, and my project into the snow. He tried to give me money back. I said no and didn't take it. He sent heck to me with a note ( I would be happy to share with anyone who asks) saying he was taking to heart what I said and was canceling classes. Low and behold new schedule is up. If you want to try to take a real and SAFE course try CHICAGO woodworking school on Ravenswood. I understand eccentric ( which I admit I am) but Neal is dangerous. And truly does not want to teach craftsmanship. I said I wasn't going to post but when I saw Neal was lying I had no choice. I feel I sam saving someone's limbs or fingers from possible harm. Sorry Neal but you are a manipulative liar who gives a bad name to craftsmen all over. read more