History
The Whetstone School of Lutherie is located in the old Estey Organ complex about 1/2 mile from downtown Brattleboro. The Estey Organ Co. operated in this location from the late 1880's to the mid 1950's. Their world-renowned reed, pipe, and electronic organs are now highly regarded by many as works of art. The site is now the home of the Estey Organ Museum, plus an eclectic assortment of other small businesses. We are very proud to have our school associated with a place so steeped in the classic tradition of musical instrument building.
Courtesy of Estey Organ Co. esteyorgan.com – esteyorganmuseum.org
Machine Room
The workshop is comprised of two separate rooms, each about 700 sqft. One room is allocated to our large machinery and the other is set up as a classroom. The machine room has pro level tools similar to what you might find in a small furniture shop or a professional guitar shop.
- 10" tablesaw
- 14" bandsaw
- 16" bandsaw
- 8" jointer
- 14" planer
- 24" thickness sander
- 12" disk/belt sander
- sliding trim-o-saw
- drill press
- oscillating spindle sander
- mortise machine
- router table
- vacuum press
- air compressor
All the machinery is connected to a central dust collector, and there are two large work benches capable of accommodating four students concurrently. The space is well lit, neatly organized, and there is plenty of storage space to keep things uncluttered.
Classroom
The classroom is where we'll spend most of our time, and we have organized this space specifically for teaching instrument making. There is an instructor's bench and each student has their own personal workspace. The room has a relaxed feel, there is great natural light, and it just plain feels good.
Each student's workstation includes a workbench, detachable building stand, pattern maker's vise, go-bar-deck, anti-fatigue mat, and all the essential tools you'll need for your class. There is also lots of space to store your personal belongings.
The classroom is well stocked with miscellaneous supplies such as sandpaper, adhesives, finishing materials, and first aid items. There is a small food preparation area with refrigerator, microwave, and a modest supply of kitchenware. We also have a restroom adjacent to the classroom.
Click here to see more photos from the shop