PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Woodcraft, one of the largest woodworking retailers in the U.S., is seeing a growing interest in woodworking across seminars and classes nationwide. The company has seen a 43 percent increase in class enrollment in recent years as more people seek hands-on woodworking instruction. 

The Next Cut Tour 2026 is a two-day series led by Alex Snodgrass, a nationally known bandsaw expert, who will present a seminar and a class at each stop. The seminar will cover how to fine tune a bandsaw for smoother cuts and greater accuracy. It lays the groundwork for his box-building class. 

"Woodworking gives people a kind of focus they do not get on a screen," explained Snodgrass. "Once you start shaping a piece, everything else gets quiet. You see progress right in front of you, and that brings a sense of calm and confidence that stays with you long after you leave the shop."

The class is a hands-on event where participants will build two projects: a four-drawer pin box and a two-drawer wave box. He will cover cutting techniques and safe shaping methods. At the conclusion of the class, participants will have not only two handcrafted projects, but also the skills to create nearly any bandsaw box.

"People want a place where they can learn with confidence," said Andrew Bondi, VP of retail and franchise operations at Woodcraft. "Over the past year, we offered nearly 30,000 classes, seminars, and product demonstrations. Our classrooms stay busy because students value clear instruction and the sense of progress they get from working with real tools."

"Alex has a way of giving people confidence," Bondi said. "Students leave his sessions feeling ready to tackle more on their own, which is why he is one of our most popular guest instructors and why his classes sell out so quickly."

Snodgrass has spent more than 35 years perfecting his bandsaw skills and finding better ways to get the most from the saw's performance. He has developed several bandsaw innovations and holds patents for the bandsaw stabilizer, quick release, and electronic tension gauge.

"Woodworking is about learning through doing," Snodgrass said. "Every stop on this tour gives me the chance to help woodworkers get the results they've always wanted from their bandsaw."

The Next Cut Tour kicked off at the Woodcraft store in Sacramento, California, in February and is making its way eastward, concluding in the fall. While every location will host Snodgrass for the seminar, there are a few stores where the classroom portion will not be offered.

To see a list of the tour dates and sign up, visit woodcraft.com. Seating is limited.