The New Yankee Workshop: Season 1 introduces viewers to the timeless art of woodworking through the expertise of master carpenter Norm Abram. Premiering in 1989, this inaugural season sets the foundation for what would become a beloved PBS series. Filmed in Norm’s fully equipped workshop, each episode showcases his meticulous craftsmanship as he designs and builds a variety of beautiful, functional furniture pieces. From classic Shaker-style tables to elegant cabinets and storage solutions, Norm’s step-by-step guidance and clear explanations make woodworking accessible to both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts. The season combines practical how-to instruction with a deep appreciation for traditional woodworking techniques, all delivered with Norm’s signature charm and passion for the craft. Whether you’re looking to hone your skills or simply enjoy the satisfaction of watching a master at work, Season 1 of The New Yankee Workshop is a must-watch for anyone who loves the art of creating with wood.
Episodes 13
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, Norm Abram kicks off the first season with a special project inspired by a visit to the Hancock Shaker Village in western Massachusetts. After a tour of his workshop to preview the stunning furniture collection he plans to build, Norm explores a "retiring room" at the historic village, where he discovers a beautifully crafted looking glass and cabinet. Drawing inspiration from this Shaker design, Norm sets out to create a handcrafted medicine cabinet of his own.
Using durable red oak and oak plywood, Norm demonstrates his expert craftsmanship as he constructs a timeless and functional medicine chest. The project features elegant box-joint joinery, a hallmark of fine woodworking, and includes practical details like adjustable shelves and a mirrored door. Throughout the episode, Norm shares his tips and techniques for working with wood, ensuring that even novice woodworkers can follow along.
Join Norm as he combines traditional Shaker aesthetics with his signature style, resulting in a stunning piece that’s perfect for any home. Whether you're looking to build your own or simply appreciate the art of woodworking, this episode is a must-watch!
Every great workshop needs a solid workbench, and in this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram shows viewers how to build one that’s both functional and affordable. Using his own well-equipped workbench as a model, Norm takes inspiration from a century-old workbench used by the skilled craftsmen at Hancock Shaker Village in western Massachusetts.
Norm’s design combines practicality with classic craftsmanship, featuring a durable oak-edged hardwood top, a sturdy bench vice for secure clamping, a recessed tool storage area on top for easy access to essentials, and a convenient shelf beneath for additional storage. Throughout the episode, Norm shares his expert tips and techniques, guiding viewers through each step of the process—from selecting materials to assembling and finishing the workbench.
Whether you’re setting up your first workshop or looking to upgrade your current workspace, this episode is packed with valuable insights and step-by-step instructions to help you build a workbench that will serve as the foundation for countless future projects. Join Norm as he brings timeless craftsmanship to life in this essential woodworking project!
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram demonstrates his craftsmanship by building a versatile and elegant drop-leaf table. Using ash, a durable and attractive hardwood, Norm creates a table that’s as functional as it is beautiful. The design features gracefully turned legs, a solid top, and drop leaves made from glued-up stock, offering both space-saving convenience and timeless style.
Norm walks viewers through each step of the process, starting with turning the table legs on a duplicating lathe to achieve consistent, elegant shapes. He also shares his expert techniques for crafting precise mortise and tenon joints, ensuring the table is both sturdy and well-constructed. Using a router and two specialized bits, Norm reveals the secrets to creating the smooth, functional drop-leaf joint that allows the table to expand or collapse with ease.
Whether you’re looking to add a practical piece to your dining room or simply want to learn advanced woodworking skills, this episode is packed with valuable tips and step-by-step guidance. Join Norm as he combines traditional woodworking methods with modern tools to create a drop-leaf table that’s sure to become a cherished piece in any home.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram takes a trip to the picturesque island of Nantucket, off the coast of Massachusetts, to explore the rich history of American craftsmanship. Visiting a sea captain’s house dating back to 1790, Norm discovers a beautifully handmade blanket chest that serves as the inspiration for his latest project.
Drawing on the design elements of this antique treasure, Norm creates his own version of a timeless blanket chest. Using pine for the main structure and lining the interior with aromatic cedar panels, he combines functionality with classic aesthetics. The cedar lining not only adds a pleasant fragrance but also helps protect stored blankets and linens from moths and moisture.
Throughout the episode, Norm shares his expert woodworking techniques, from cutting and assembling the chest to adding the finishing touches that make it a true heirloom piece. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a DIY enthusiast, this episode offers plenty of inspiration and practical guidance to help you build a beautiful and functional blanket chest for your home.
Join Norm as he blends historical craftsmanship with modern woodworking methods, creating a piece that’s both practical and steeped in tradition.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram takes inspiration from the simplicity and functionality of Shaker design to create a charming and practical bedside table. Visiting the Hancock Shaker Village in western Massachusetts, Norm studies a classic piece that embodies the Shaker commitment to craftsmanship and utility.
Using pine, Norm constructs his own version of the bedside table, featuring a shallow drawer for convenient storage, elegantly tapered legs on the inner sides for a refined look, and a sturdy tabletop with a breadboard design. The breadboard technique, which involves edging glued boards with perpendicular pieces of wood on two ends, ensures durability and prevents warping over time.
Throughout the episode, Norm shares his expert tips and techniques, guiding viewers through each step of the process—from cutting and assembling the table to adding the finishing touches. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a DIY enthusiast, this project offers a perfect blend of form and function, resulting in a timeless piece that will enhance any bedroom.
Join Norm as he brings the enduring beauty of Shaker design to life, creating a bedside table that’s as practical as it is beautiful.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram takes on the challenge of building a stunning and functional oak bathroom vanity. Inspired by a dry sink he discovered in a 1790 Shaker house in Harvard, Massachusetts, Norm’s design combines traditional Shaker style with modern craftsmanship.
The vanity, measuring 34" high x 38" wide x 23" deep, is constructed from durable oak and features elegant dovetailed joints, a hallmark of fine woodworking. The double doors showcase a flat panel on the outside and a raised panel on the inside, adding depth and character to the Shaker-inspired design. Topped with a high-pressure laminate surface, the vanity is both stylish and practical, perfect for everyday use in any bathroom.
Throughout the episode, Norm shares his expert techniques, from cutting and assembling the dovetailed joints to installing the doors and applying the finishing touches. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a DIY enthusiast, this project offers valuable insights and step-by-step guidance to help you create a beautiful and enduring piece for your home.
Join Norm as he blends historical inspiration with modern functionality, crafting an oak bathroom vanity that’s as timeless as it is practical.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram takes inspiration from a classic pine trestle table he discovers in a Shaker house on the picturesque island of Nantucket, off the Massachusetts coast. Drawing on the simplicity and functionality of Shaker design, Norm constructs his own version of a trestle table using cherry, a beautiful and durable hardwood.
Cherry, especially when kiln-dried, is known for its stability and resistance to twisting or shrinking over time, making it an ideal choice for this timeless piece. Norm’s design features an expansive tabletop made from carefully glued-up boards, ensuring a smooth and seamless surface. He also demonstrates how to craft the two trestles and the stretcher that connects them, creating a sturdy yet easily disassembled structure perfect for versatile use.
Throughout the episode, Norm shares his expert techniques, from preparing and joining the boards for the tabletop to assembling the trestle base with precision. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a DIY enthusiast, this project offers a wealth of knowledge and step-by-step guidance to help you build a stunning and functional trestle table for your home.
Join Norm as he combines traditional craftsmanship with modern woodworking methods, creating a piece that’s as practical as it is elegant.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram tackles a classic and practical project: a freestanding bookcase. Designed to be both functional and stylish, this bookcase features a cornice detail for a refined look, adjustable shelves for customizable storage, and a removable base for added versatility.
Norm constructs the bookcase using pine for the base and birch plywood for the main structure, combining durability with a clean, modern aesthetic. Measuring 80" high x 36" wide x 12 1/2" deep, this bookcase is perfect for storing books, display items, or anything else you’d like to showcase in your home.
Throughout the episode, Norm shares his expert techniques, from cutting and assembling the pieces to installing the adjustable shelves and adding the finishing touches. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a DIY enthusiast, this project offers valuable insights and step-by-step guidance to help you build a beautiful and practical bookcase.
Join Norm as he demonstrates how to create a timeless piece of furniture that’s as functional as it is elegant, perfect for any room in your home.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram demonstrates how to build a classic and functional chest of drawers using Ponderosa pine. Norm’s original design combines timeless craftsmanship with practical storage solutions, resulting in a piece that’s both beautiful and highly functional.
The chest, measuring 42" high x 41 1/2" wide x 19" deep, is constructed with precision and care. Norm walks viewers through each step of the process, from cutting and planing the wood to gluing up the boards for the top and sides. He also provides detailed instructions on building the drawers, including the drawer cases, frames, and base, ensuring smooth operation and durability.
Throughout the episode, Norm shares his expert tips and techniques, making this project accessible to both seasoned woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to add a custom storage solution to your home or simply want to learn new woodworking skills, this episode is packed with valuable insights and step-by-step guidance.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram takes a trip to the historic Hancock Shaker Village in western Massachusetts to draw inspiration for his next project: a Shaker-style candle stand. Captivated by the simplicity and elegance of the Shaker design, Norm returns to his workshop to create an exact replica using modern power tools.
Using a lathe, router, and band saw, Norm demonstrates how to craft this delicate yet functional piece of furniture. He walks viewers through each step of the process, from shaping the slender legs and spindle to assembling the stand with precision. Along the way, he shares expert tips and techniques to ensure a flawless finish.
Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a DIY enthusiast, this episode offers a perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern woodworking methods. Join Norm as he brings the timeless beauty of Shaker design to life, creating a candle stand that’s as practical as it is charming.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram takes inspiration from an early American hutch he discovers in the kitchen of the historic Fitch House at Old Sturbridge Village. Returning to his workshop, Norm demonstrates how to build his own version of this classic piece using knotty pine, a material that adds warmth and character to any kitchen.
The hutch, measuring 81 1/2" high x 56" wide x 18" deep, features a base cabinet with elegant raised panel doors and an open shelf section perfect for displaying dishes, cookbooks, or decorative items. Norm walks viewers through each step of the process, from cutting and assembling the raised panels to constructing the sturdy base and open shelves.
Throughout the episode, Norm shares his expert tips and techniques, making this project accessible to both seasoned woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to add a custom storage solution to your kitchen or simply want to learn new woodworking skills, this episode is packed with valuable insights and step-by-step guidance.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram takes on one of his most intricate projects yet: a beautifully crafted writing desk made primarily of maple. Designed with both functionality and elegance in mind, this desk features a slanted top, a shallow drawer, a nest of small drawers, and open bins for convenient storage. Measuring 42" high x 36" wide x 20" deep, it’s the perfect addition to any home office or study.
Norm guides viewers through the complex process of building this desk, from cutting and assembling the maple pieces to crafting the delicate details of the slanted top and nested drawers. Along the way, he shares expert tips and techniques for working with maple, a hardwood known for its durability and fine grain.
Whether you’re an experienced woodworker or a dedicated DIY enthusiast, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and step-by-step guidance to help you tackle this challenging yet rewarding project. Join Norm as he demonstrates the artistry and precision required to create a writing desk that’s as practical as it is stunning.
In this episode of The New Yankee Workshop, master woodworker Norm Abram demonstrates how to build a stunning corner cupboard using pine and plywood. This elegant and practical piece is designed to make the most of unused corner space while adding a touch of classic charm to any room.
Norm’s design features a top section enclosed by glass-paned doors, perfect for displaying cherished items, and a base cabinet with raised panel doors for concealed storage. Measuring 86 1/2" high x 42" wide x 30" deep, this corner cupboard is both spacious and stylish.
Throughout the episode, Norm walks viewers through each step of the process, from cutting and assembling the pine and plywood to crafting the raised panels and installing the glass doors. He shares expert tips and techniques to ensure a flawless finish, making this project accessible to both seasoned woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts.
Whether you’re looking to add storage solutions to your home or simply want to learn new woodworking skills, this episode is packed with valuable insights and step-by-step guidance. Join Norm as he combines traditional craftsmanship with modern methods, creating a corner cupboard that’s as functional as it is beautiful.