Reuben Foat
July 27-31
Tambour doors are one of the most elegant and mechanically satisfying features in furniture. Their ability to glide open, follow a curve, and disappear into a case makes them both a functional solution and a striking design element. In this class, Reuben guides students through building a fully functional cabinet featuring a smooth-running tambour door.
The project is based on Reuben’s design, allowing students to focus on learning the techniques that make tambours successful: precise slat geometry, clean track layout, accurate casework, and careful fitting. While small opportunities for personalization are available, the structured design ensures that each student can complete a refined cabinet within the week.
Through demonstrations and hands-on work, the class covers:
- Fundamentals of tambour mechanics and movement
- Milling, shaping, and detailing slats
- Applying canvas or alternative backing materials
- Pattern routing and refining track systems
- Cabinet joinery and case construction
- Fitting, tuning, and troubleshooting smooth travel
- Handle integration, reveals, and clean transitions
- Finishing techniques and best practices for longevity
By week’s end, each student will leave with a fully functioning tambour cabinet—and a clear understanding of how to incorporate tambour doors confidently into future furniture projects.
Reuben Foat grew up in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, and found his passion for furniture design while studying at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His career has been shaped by a wide range of experiences—working as a cabinetmaker in the United Kingdom and New England, a furniture restorer in Milwaukee, and later designing and making furniture in San Diego. He earned his MFA in Art from San Diego State University with an emphasis on furniture design and digital fabrication, a combination that still guides his approach to contemporary craft.
Reuben has taught at prominent craft schools, including the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and Penland School of Crafts, and has lectured at universities nationwide. He is currently an Associate Professor of Woodworking Manufacturing Technologies at Cerritos College. From his Long Beach studio, he creates work that bridges traditional craftsmanship with emerging digital tools and techniques. His website is reubenfoat.com.
Open to intermediate woodworkers.
Tuition: $1,150
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