Lonnie Bird's School of Fine Woodworking

01/11/2025

Many memories have been made here!

04/03/2024

Look at how beautifully Paul Brown (one of Lonnie’s longtime students) executed one of Lonnie’s iconic furniture designs: The Penn Queen Anne Arm Chair. To build the chairs, Paul had to cut and fit the complex mortise-and-tenons as well as sculpt and shape the myriad of compound curves. He did a great job!

This arm chair was one of many incredible furniture projects developed by Lonnie. Lonnie had an amazing eye for balance, proportion, and beauty, which is evident in his furniture. His designs helped to set his school apart from many others. However, Lonnie not only was a talented furniture designer, but had a unique ability to duplicate his skills in others—the mark of an excellent instructor.

If you appreciate the classic proportions and beauty of Lonnie’s furniture, check out Jason Bennett’s woodworking school classes, which feature Lonnie’s furniture designs.

11/21/2023

As we approach the first anniversary of Lonnie's 'homegoing,' it's fitting to remember Lonnie's indelible mark on the international furniture making community: He was a creator of beauty, advocated for excellence, and impacted countless lives. Best of all, he was appreciated and loved by so many. Read on to see the many ways this unassuming woodworker influenced the world.

Lonnie Bird, former contributing editor for Fine Woodworking, published author for Taunton Press, tool designer, and well-known furniture making instructor, went to be with the Lord on November 25, 2022 after a hard-fought battle against the effects of cancer radiation.

Lonnie was internationally known in the woodworking world and had a significant impact on it. His woodworking career spanned 45 years and he took great joy in designing, and crafting beautiful, high-quality furniture. He was widely acclaimed as a master furnituremaker, who had an amazing talent for visualizing, designing, and building stunningly beautiful fine furniture. Early American Life magazine acknowledged Lonnie as “one of the best craftsmen in American.”

He was also known as a superb woodworking educator for his excellent teaching style and the ability to duplicate his extensive woodworking skills in students. Lonnie launched, developed, and taught a college-level furniture making program at the University of Rio Grande (OH) for thirteen years. In 2002, he opened his own school in Dandridge, TN: Lonnie Bird’s School of Fine Woodworking. During the twenty years the school was operating, Lonnie developed dozens of furniture projects and taught hundreds of enthusiastic woodworkers furniture making skills at a high level. Students from 48 states and several countries attended Lonnie’s school.

Lonnie also wrote extensively for four woodworking magazines: Fine Woodworking, American Woodworker, Popular Woodworking, and Woodworker’s Journal. His work was featured on the covers of several of the magazines and he served as contributing editor to Fine Woodworking and American Woodworker, writing both technique and project articles.

Additionally, Lonnie was a well-known woodworking author and published six books with The Taunton Press: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Using Woodworking Tools, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Routers, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Shaping Wood, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Period Furniture Details, The Bandsaw Book, and The Shaper Book.
Lonnie used his extensive knowledge of woodworking to design tooling and safety devices for several companies, including Amana Tools, CMT, Freeborn Tools, and BenchDog.

Lonnie’s stamp and influence on the furnituremaking world is unmistakable. His legacy is carried forward through Jason Bennett (Bennett’s Fine Woodworking) and Lonnie’s many woodworking students; his knowledge base is preserved through his numerous articles and books. The beauty of his furniture designs and his adherence to excellence will continue to live on through the heirloom pieces he and his students crafted.

11/10/2023

Lonnie was a master of designing heirloom quality furniture that used classical proportions and rich beauty. Some of his last projects were miniature versions of his full-scale pieces, such as this Mini Bombe Chest.

As Lonnie stated, "This chest is very small in scale. However, it has all of the features of a full-scale bombe chest including sliding dovetails joining the top, a dovetailed case, dovetailed inset drawers, dovetailed divider, dovetailed feet, and of course the beautiful, flowing curve in the case sides, front, and drawers. Even the drawer sides and drawer dovetails are curved."

After designing it, Lonnie spent countless hours building this diminutive piece. Doing so required significant revision of tools to create the tiny dovetails and details of the chest. He also had the miniature hardware custom made for the piece. In short, Lonnie was incredibly good at creating beauty through furniture of all sizes!

08/24/2023

We always appreciate hearing from Lonnie's students, like Peter, who attended Lonnie's school for several years:
"Lonnie was a superb fine woodworking teacher that I have learnt so much from--like many others that had the privilege to attend his school. I just spent the past two weeks with Jason working on projects that Lonnie designed. I’m glad that Jason is keeping Lonnie’s legacy going. The piece below was Lonnie’s pipe box. I gave it to my mother in February this year when we visited Australia for her 80th birthday." Thanks, Peter!

If you'd like to gain or further refine your woodworking skills, we encourage you to check out Jason Bennett at Bennett's Fine Woodworking. Jason is teaching many of Lonnie's projects as well as some great designs of his own.

03/29/2023

If you'd like to build incredible woodworking skills - and build an heirloom piece of furniture at the same time - take a look at the classes offered by Jason at Bennett's FineWoodworking, LLC.
Jason worked closely with Lonnie for 32 years and is literally the ONLY furnituremaker in the country who can duplicate Lonnie's techniques, plans, and teaching. Don't miss out!

02/24/2023

Jason Bennett (of Bennett's Fine Woodworking School) is incredibly unique in the woodworking world: Jason is the only one in the country who has the license to the "Lonnie Bird's Furniture Designs" AND the skill set to show students how to implement the designs through valuable woodworking skills and techniques. Jason was trained to a high level by Lonnie and subsequently worked with him for more than 30 years. Like Lonnie's, Jason's woodworking school features small classes so that you can get plenty of one-on-one help, too. If you're looking to learn and advance your furniture making skills using proven "Lonnie Bird" techniques and designs, register for a class today on Jason's website (https://www.bennettsfinewoodworking.com/)!

Bennetts Fine Woodworking School offers woodworking classes for all skill levels. We focus primarily on teaching hand tool skills. Our woodworking classes range from simple tables, carving courses, chairs, chests, and case pieces. We offer a fun filled week in beautiful Tennessee learning the cra

01/22/2023

This is Lonnie Bird’s wife, Linda. In November 2022, Lonnie peacefully went to be with the Lord Jesus after a hard-fought battle against the long-term effects of cancer radiation.

I want you to know how much we appreciate your support of Lonnie’s School of Fine Woodworking throughout the 20 years we were in operation. It was his dream to share his enthusiasm, knowledge, and skills for fine woodworking – and you made that possible.

As you know, Lonnie was nationally known as a master furnituremaker with many published books and articles to his credit. He was an excellent teacher and able to duplicate his woodworking skills in those who came to his school. His woodworking career spanned 45 years and he took great joy in designing, and crafting beautiful, high-quality furniture. Lonnie was extremely talented; yet very willing to share his knowledge with others. I—and many others--always admired that about him.

What you may not know are some of the more personal details of Lonnie’s rich life: He enjoyed almost anything outdoors, including camping, traveling, bicycling, and fishing. Lonnie had a great sense of humor and was also a wonderful storyteller.

He also had excellent character and was extremely devoted to me during our 37-year marriage. Together, we built a strong marriage and raised two daughters, Rebecca and Sarah. Lonnie loved our family and treasured his time with us. Most of all, he knew Jesus Christ personally and followed Christian principles in everything he did.

Before his death, Lonnie transitioned his business and classes to Jason Bennett, his close friend and fellow woodworker of 32 years. Jason is a fabulous furniture maker and teaches in-person classes, which are listed on his website (https://www.bennettsfinewoodworking.com).

Thank you again for your support over the years. I hope you take the skills and knowledge learned from Lonnie to elevate your woodworking and carry on his legacy of excellence. He would like that.

08/27/2022

Lonnie Bird's Distance Learning Woodworking Classes are a popular way to build challenging projects. You can work at your own pace in the comfort of your shop while Lonnie guides you each step of the way. When you sign up, you’ll receive:
*Twelve months (that’s an entire year!) of personal instruction so that you can work on your project in your own shop at your own pace. You can contact Lonnie whenever you need help—by text, email, or phone calls—including attaching photos (so Lonnie can check your progress and offer suggestions).
*An exhaustive set of drawings, illustrating every detail of the project you’ve selected
*Step-by-step photos
*A how-do instructional outline
*A cutting list (showing the dimension of each part)
*A tool list
*A hardware list
Best of all, you can call, email or text Lonnie whenever you have a question! You can even attach photos of your work to emails so he can check your progress and give you guidance.

“The three most complex projects that I have built were through Distant Learning Classes with you. Your incredible packages of drawings and photographs made these projects fun and achievable. The greatest help was your availability and guidance along the way. Whether by text, email, or phone call, you were always there to help me quickly.” – Scott D.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. Thanks for your interest!

04/03/2021

What a beautiful piece! Scott just recently completed this block front chest as part of our distance learning program. You can see from the details that he did a great job!
We'll be back in full swing in 2022 with a number of new classes and plenty of old favorites. All classes next year will be held here at our school. If you would like a copy of the schedule just email me at www.lonniebird.com

# handmade

01/30/2021

Take a look at Paul’s beautiful corner table. This little drop leaf table is unusual because it folds across the corners. The design creates forty-five degree corners which adds a bit of complexity to the joinery. Adding to the challenge are long, shapely legs, a wooden hinge on the swing leg, and a hinged rule joint on the top. Outstanding job Paul! I love your work!
Paul built this table as a Distance Learning project. He received a video on how to make a cabriole leg and turn a pad foot, all the necessary drawings, full scale patterns of the legs, apron and top, photos, and a step-by-step how-to outline. He could also call me with questions at any time during the process.
I started the Distance Learning program in 2009 for specifically for two regular customers who could no longer attend classes because of health reasons. Since that time, it has continued to be an important part of our business. It’s also turned out to be a great option during this time of covid.
We will be back into the full swing of things in 2022. If you email me, I will be glad to send a copy of next year’s schedule once it becomes available. [email protected]

01/01/2021

Take a look at Jason's beautiful curly cherry desk-on-frame. Every detail is perfect. Nice work Jason!
For more photos, go to bennett's finewoodworking llc
Happy New Year! -Lonnie