Testimonials
I’ve had the pleasure of taking classes at the Mr. Sawdust School of Professional Woodworking since 2020 with Wally Kunkel. Wally has a lifetime of experience creating museum quality wood projects. He’s a genius with woodworking machines and hand tools along with explaining the various characteristics and nuances of wood. You’re always learning from a master with patience that gives off good vibes when you’re in his gorgeous workshop. The classes are fun and informative. Once you’ve taken the required hand tools and machine tools classes you’re eligible to participate in the many project classes offered. For the project classes we all work together milling and preparing parts to be shaped and joined to fit for each of our projects. Wally teaches us about all the clever jigs and fixture setups he’s created for each machine process that we complete. The hand tools are razor sharp and extremely well maintained. There’s always something new and interesting. If you have your own shop or plan to set one up, Wally’s an expert at restoring vintage machines and recommending inexpensive to heirloom quality hand tools. I highly recommend taking classes with Wally for a rare opportunity to be part of such a great community. I look forward to the next project with Wally.
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I was happy to hear Mr. Sawdust School of Professional Woodworking opened again by his son Wallace Kunkel. I have known the school 35 years ago, hired people who went to the school in my shop. The school was run for more than a decade. Wally was teaching with his father. Mr. Sawdust died in 1997 and the school closed. Wally, his son started woodworking business with his brothers. He did the finest millwork and fine furniture making for wealthy people in New Jersey. After two decades, Wally opened the school to carry on his father's legacy and because he loves teaching. If you want to learn woodworking, this is the school you want to take classes. Machine woodworking or hand tools you can learn on the highest level from the master of fine furniture making, Wallace Kunkel. I believe in him and recommend him very highly.
- Frank Klausz
I've known Wally for 40-plus years. We are the best of friends. In the old days, we used the barter system; he'd help me on my house and I'd help him on his. No money was ever exchanged. In the 1980s, Wally taught two classes that I took. The first class, we built a hanging corner cupboard; the second was a tilt-top sewing table. Both pieces were replicas from the 18th century. We used most every tool in his workshop. These were very complicated, and today the joinery on mine is still perfect (with no nails or screws!) Wally's favorite machine is the Dewalt Radial Arm Saw. With all its cutter heads, he makes this saw talk. Incredible! Wally and his father, the original Mr. Sawdust, used to demonstrate all over the country what the Dewalt Radial Arm Saw can do - it's truly amazing. Wally has been doing fine woodworking for approximately 50 years. From award-winning furniture making to exquisite huge indoor-space installations. I've seen most of them from start to finish. The joinery is perfect. That's why a lot of his friends call him The Doctor - he can always fix any problem you might run across. Wally purchased an old, run-down building in Hackettstown, NJ and transformed it into a magnificent woodworking school. A year or two to complete his shop, he kept the charm of the old building, and it is equipped with every machine and tool you can imagine. Wally's school starts with basic joinery, then it becomes more complicated constructing furniture - that’s fun.
To sum this up, Wally is the finest Finish Teacher and woodworker I have ever had the privilege to know. He treats the beginner or intermediate student the same. The classes are educational, and most of all, just fun. I am in his third class this year!
- Chris Day