diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index 8bf7c8e..cf15be8 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ intersphinx_mapping = {
     'pyramid': ('https://docs.pylonsproject.org/projects/pyramid/en/latest/', None),
     'python': ('https://docs.python.org/3/', None),
     'rattail-manual': ('https://rattailproject.org/docs/rattail-manual/', None),
-    'sqlalchemy': ('http://docs.sqlalchemy.org/en/latest/', None),
     'webhelpers2': ('https://webhelpers2.readthedocs.io/en/latest/', None),
     'wuttjamaican': ('https://rattailproject.org/docs/wuttjamaican/', None),
     'wutta-continuum': ('https://rattailproject.org/docs/wutta-continuum/', None),
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py b/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py
index 9caed35..8f5cafc 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/forms/base.py
@@ -457,62 +457,23 @@ class Form:
         if self.schema:
             self.schema[key] = node
 
-    def set_widget(self, key, widget, **kwargs):
+    def set_widget(self, key, widget):
         """
         Set/override the widget for a field.
 
-        You can specify a widget instance or else a named "type" of
-        widget, in which case that is passed along to
-        :meth:`make_widget()`.
-
         :param key: Name of field.
 
-        :param widget: Either a :class:`deform:deform.widget.Widget`
-           instance, or else a widget "type" name.
-
-        :param \**kwargs: Any remaining kwargs are passed along to
-           :meth:`make_widget()` - if applicable.
+        :param widget: Instance of
+           :class:`deform:deform.widget.Widget`.
 
         Widget overrides are tracked via :attr:`widgets`.
         """
-        if not isinstance(widget, deform.widget.Widget):
-            widget_obj = self.make_widget(widget, **kwargs)
-            if not widget_obj:
-                raise ValueError(f"widget type not supported: {widget}")
-            widget = widget_obj
-
         self.widgets[key] = widget
 
         # update schema if necessary
         if self.schema and key in self.schema:
             self.schema[key].widget = widget
 
-    def make_widget(self, widget_type, **kwargs):
-        """
-        Make and return a new field widget of the given type.
-
-        This has built-in support for the following types (although
-        subclass can override as needed):
-
-        * ``'notes'`` => :class:`~wuttaweb.forms.widgets.NotesWidget`
-
-        See also :meth:`set_widget()` which may call this method
-        automatically.
-
-        :param widget_type: Which of the above (or custom) widget
-           type to create.
-
-        :param \**kwargs: Remaining kwargs are passed as-is to the
-           widget factory.
-
-        :returns: New widget instance, or ``None`` if e.g. it could
-           not determine how to create the widget.
-        """
-        from wuttaweb.forms import widgets
-
-        if widget_type == 'notes':
-            return widgets.NotesWidget(**kwargs)
-
     def set_grid(self, key, grid):
         """
         Establish a :term:`grid` to be displayed for a field.  This
@@ -1150,32 +1111,6 @@ class Form:
 
         return self.validated
 
-    def has_global_errors(self):
-        """
-        Convenience function to check if the form has any "global"
-        (not field-level) errors.
-
-        See also :meth:`get_global_errors()`.
-
-        :returns: ``True`` if global errors present, else ``False``.
-        """
-        dform = self.get_deform()
-        return bool(dform.error)
-
-    def get_global_errors(self):
-        """
-        Returns a list of "global" (not field-level) error messages
-        for the form.
-
-        See also :meth:`has_global_errors()`.
-
-        :returns: List of error messages (possibly empty).
-        """
-        dform = self.get_deform()
-        if dform.error is None:
-            return []
-        return dform.error.messages()
-
     def get_field_errors(self, field):
         """
         Return a list of error messages for the given field.
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/forms/schema.py b/src/wuttaweb/forms/schema.py
index 275d42c..6347b61 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/forms/schema.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/forms/schema.py
@@ -24,40 +24,15 @@
 Form schema types
 """
 
-import datetime
 import uuid as _uuid
 
 import colander
-import sqlalchemy as sa
 
 from wuttaweb.db import Session
 from wuttaweb.forms import widgets
 from wuttjamaican.db.model import Person
 
 
-class WuttaDateTime(colander.DateTime):
-    """
-    Custom schema type for ``datetime`` fields.
-
-    This should be used automatically for
-    :class:`sqlalchemy:sqlalchemy.types.DateTime` columns unless you
-    register another default.
-
-    This schema type exists for sake of convenience, when working with
-    the Buefy datepicker + timepicker widgets.
-    """
-
-    def deserialize(self, node, cstruct):
-        """ """
-        if not cstruct:
-            return colander.null
-
-        try:
-            return datetime.datetime.strptime(cstruct, '%Y-%m-%dT%I:%M %p')
-        except:
-            node.raise_invalid("Invalid date and/or time")
-
-
 class ObjectNode(colander.SchemaNode):
     """
     Custom schema node class which adds methods for compatibility with
@@ -232,11 +207,6 @@ class ObjectRef(colander.SchemaType):
 
     def serialize(self, node, appstruct):
         """ """
-        # nb. normalize to empty option if no object ref, so that
-        # works as expected
-        if self.empty_option and not appstruct:
-            return self.empty_option[0]
-
         if appstruct is colander.null:
             return colander.null
 
@@ -527,7 +497,3 @@ class FileDownload(colander.String):
         """ """
         kwargs.setdefault('url', self.url)
         return widgets.FileDownloadWidget(self.request, **kwargs)
-
-
-# nb. colanderalchemy schema overrides
-sa.DateTime.__colanderalchemy_config__ = {'typ': WuttaDateTime}
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/forms/widgets.py b/src/wuttaweb/forms/widgets.py
index b4ed6a3..2d91eb9 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/forms/widgets.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/forms/widgets.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class ObjectRefWidget(SelectWidget):
         # add url, only if rendering readonly
         readonly = kw.get('readonly', self.readonly)
         if readonly:
-            if 'url' not in values and self.url and hasattr(field.schema, 'model_instance'):
+            if 'url' not in values and self.url and field.schema.model_instance:
                 values['url'] = self.url(field.schema.model_instance)
 
         return values
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/handler.py b/src/wuttaweb/handler.py
index 1ac0b78..f5b4d71 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/handler.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/handler.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Web Handler
 
 from wuttjamaican.app import GenericHandler
 
-from wuttaweb import static, forms, grids
+from wuttaweb import static
 
 
 class WebHandler(GenericHandler):
@@ -122,23 +122,3 @@ class WebHandler(GenericHandler):
                                    default='wuttaweb.menus:MenuHandler')
             self.menu_handler = self.app.load_object(spec)(self.config)
         return self.menu_handler
-
-    def make_form(self, request, **kwargs):
-        """
-        Make and return a new :class:`~wuttaweb.forms.base.Form`
-        instance, per the given ``kwargs``.
-
-        This is the "base" factory which merely invokes the
-        constructor.
-        """
-        return forms.Form(request, **kwargs)
-
-    def make_grid(self, request, **kwargs):
-        """
-        Make and return a new :class:`~wuttaweb.grids.base.Grid`
-        instance, per the given ``kwargs``.
-
-        This is the "base" factory which merely invokes the
-        constructor.
-        """
-        return grids.Grid(request, **kwargs)
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/base.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/base.mako
index 695bfb8..8da535a 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/base.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/base.mako
@@ -196,11 +196,6 @@
         width: 50%;
     }
 
-    .wutta-form-wrapper .field.is-horizontal .field-body .select,
-    .wutta-form-wrapper .field.is-horizontal .field-body .select select {
-        width: 100%;
-    }
-
   </style>
 </%def>
 
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/dateinput.pt b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/dateinput.pt
deleted file mode 100644
index b0e1285..0000000
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/dateinput.pt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,6 +0,0 @@
-<div>
-  ${field.start_mapping()}
-  <wutta-datepicker name="date"
-                    value="${cstruct}" />
-  ${field.end_mapping()}
-</div>
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/datetimeinput.pt b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/datetimeinput.pt
deleted file mode 100644
index b617929..0000000
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/datetimeinput.pt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-<div style="display: flex; gap: 0.5rem;">
-  ${field.start_mapping()}
-  <wutta-datepicker name="date"
-                    style="flex-grow: 1;"
-                    value="${date}" />
-  <wutta-timepicker name="time"
-                    style="flex-grow: 1;"
-                    value="${time}" />
-  ${field.end_mapping()}
-</div>
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/readonly/objectref.pt b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/readonly/objectref.pt
index 70c1040..3ab9e0e 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/readonly/objectref.pt
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/deform/readonly/objectref.pt
@@ -4,6 +4,6 @@
     ${str(field.schema.model_instance or '')}
   </a>
   <span tal:condition="not url">
-    ${str(getattr(field.schema, 'model_instance', None) or '')}
+    ${str(field.schema.model_instance or '')}
   </span>
 </tal:omit>
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako
index d913054..5a4af70 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/forms/vue_template.mako
@@ -4,14 +4,6 @@
   ${h.form(form.action_url, method='post', enctype='multipart/form-data', **form_attrs)}
     ${h.csrf_token(request)}
 
-    % if form.has_global_errors():
-        % for msg in form.get_global_errors():
-            <b-notification type="is-warning" :closable="false">
-              ${msg}
-            </b-notification>
-        % endfor
-    % endif
-
     <section>
       % for fieldname in form:
           ${form.render_vue_field(fieldname)}
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/templates/wutta-components.mako b/src/wuttaweb/templates/wutta-components.mako
index 6030840..b52992e 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/templates/wutta-components.mako
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/templates/wutta-components.mako
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@
 <%def name="make_wutta_components()">
   ${self.make_wutta_request_mixin()}
   ${self.make_wutta_button_component()}
-  ${self.make_wutta_datepicker_component()}
-  ${self.make_wutta_timepicker_component()}
   ${self.make_wutta_filter_component()}
   ${self.make_wutta_filter_value_component()}
 </%def>
@@ -151,141 +149,6 @@
   </script>
 </%def>
 
-<%def name="make_wutta_datepicker_component()">
-  <script type="text/x-template" id="wutta-datepicker-template">
-    <b-datepicker :name="name"
-                  :editable="editable"
-                  icon-pack="fas"
-                  icon="calendar-alt"
-                  :date-formatter="formatDate"
-                  :value="buefyValue" />
-  </script>
-  <script>
-    const WuttaDatepicker = {
-        template: '#wutta-datepicker-template',
-        props: {
-            name: String,
-            value: String,
-            editable: {
-                type: Boolean,
-                default: true,
-            },
-        },
-        data() {
-            return {
-                buefyValue: this.parseDate(this.value),
-            }
-        },
-        methods: {
-
-            formatDate(date) {
-                if (date === null) {
-                    return null
-                }
-                // just need to convert to simple ISO date format here, seems
-                // like there should be a more obvious way to do that?
-                var year = date.getFullYear()
-                var month = date.getMonth() + 1
-                var day = date.getDate()
-                month = month < 10 ? '0' + month : month
-                day = day < 10 ? '0' + day : day
-                return year + '-' + month + '-' + day
-            },
-
-            parseDate(date) {
-                if (!date) {
-                    return
-                }
-                if (typeof(date) == 'string') {
-                    // nb. this assumes classic YYYY-MM-DD (ISO) format
-                    var parts = date.split('-')
-                    return new Date(parts[0], parseInt(parts[1]) - 1, parts[2])
-                }
-                return date
-            },
-        },
-    }
-    Vue.component('wutta-datepicker', WuttaDatepicker)
-  </script>
-</%def>
-
-<%def name="make_wutta_timepicker_component()">
-  <script type="text/x-template" id="wutta-timepicker-template">
-    <b-timepicker :name="name"
-                  editable
-                  :value="buefyValue" />
-  </script>
-  <script>
-    const WuttaTimepicker = {
-        template: '#wutta-timepicker-template',
-        props: {
-            name: String,
-            value: String,
-            editable: {
-                type: Boolean,
-                default: true,
-            },
-        },
-        data() {
-            return {
-                buefyValue: this.parseTime(this.value),
-            }
-        },
-        methods: {
-
-            formatTime(time) {
-                if (time === null) {
-                    return null
-                }
-
-                let h = time.getHours()
-                let m = time.getMinutes()
-                let s = time.getSeconds()
-
-                h = h < 10 ? '0' + h : h
-                m = m < 10 ? '0' + m : m
-                s = s < 10 ? '0' + s : s
-
-                return h + ':' + m + ':' + s
-            },
-
-            parseTime(time) {
-                if (time.getHours) {
-                    return time
-                }
-
-                let found, hours, minutes
-
-                found = time.match(/^(\d\d):(\d\d):\d\d$/)
-                if (found) {
-                    hours = parseInt(found[1])
-                    minutes = parseInt(found[2])
-                    return new Date(null, null, null, hours, minutes)
-                }
-
-                found = time.match(/^\s*(\d\d?):(\d\d)\s*([AaPp][Mm])\s*$/)
-                if (found) {
-                    hours = parseInt(found[1])
-                    minutes = parseInt(found[2])
-                    const ampm = found[3].toUpperCase()
-                    if (ampm == 'AM') {
-                        if (hours == 12) {
-                            hours = 0
-                        }
-                    } else { // PM
-                        if (hours < 12) {
-                            hours += 12
-                        }
-                    }
-                    return new Date(null, null, null, hours, minutes)
-                }
-            },
-        },
-    }
-    Vue.component('wutta-timepicker', WuttaTimepicker)
-  </script>
-</%def>
-
 <%def name="make_wutta_filter_component()">
   <script type="text/x-template" id="wutta-filter-template">
     <div v-show="filter.visible"
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/views/base.py b/src/wuttaweb/views/base.py
index c5bb0dc..5121f3c 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/views/base.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/views/base.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ from pyramid import httpexceptions
 from pyramid.renderers import render_to_response
 from pyramid.response import FileResponse
 
-from wuttaweb import grids
+from wuttaweb import forms, grids
 
 
 class View:
@@ -75,8 +75,7 @@ class View:
         This is the "base" factory which merely invokes the
         constructor.
         """
-        web = self.app.get_web_handler()
-        return web.make_form(self.request, **kwargs)
+        return forms.Form(self.request, **kwargs)
 
     def make_grid(self, **kwargs):
         """
@@ -86,8 +85,7 @@ class View:
         This is the "base" factory which merely invokes the
         constructor.
         """
-        web = self.app.get_web_handler()
-        return web.make_grid(self.request, **kwargs)
+        return grids.Grid(self.request, **kwargs)
 
     def make_grid_action(self, key, **kwargs):
         """
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py b/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
index 4ce9d2d..6e70c4d 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/views/master.py
@@ -2000,7 +2000,7 @@ class MasterView(View):
         Default logic returns the value from ``str(instance)``;
         subclass may override if needed.
         """
-        return str(instance) or "(no title)"
+        return str(instance)
 
     def get_action_url(self, action, obj, **kwargs):
         """
diff --git a/src/wuttaweb/views/upgrades.py b/src/wuttaweb/views/upgrades.py
index 19f5bba..3a913d0 100644
--- a/src/wuttaweb/views/upgrades.py
+++ b/src/wuttaweb/views/upgrades.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ from sqlalchemy import orm
 
 from wuttjamaican.db.model import Upgrade
 from wuttaweb.views import MasterView
+from wuttaweb.forms import widgets
 from wuttaweb.forms.schema import UserRef, WuttaEnum, FileDownload
 from wuttaweb.progress import get_progress_session
 
@@ -146,7 +147,7 @@ class UpgradeView(MasterView):
             f.set_node('created_by', UserRef(self.request))
 
         # notes
-        f.set_widget('notes', 'notes')
+        f.set_widget('notes', widgets.NotesWidget())
 
         # status
         if self.creating:
diff --git a/tests/forms/test_base.py b/tests/forms/test_base.py
index 8808bfa..ef8e4b6 100644
--- a/tests/forms/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/forms/test_base.py
@@ -142,26 +142,6 @@ class TestForm(TestCase):
         self.assertIs(form.widgets['foo'], new_widget)
         self.assertIs(schema['foo'].widget, new_widget)
 
-        # can also just specify widget pseudo-type (invalid)
-        self.assertNotIn('bar', form.widgets)
-        self.assertRaises(ValueError, form.set_widget, 'bar', 'ldjfadjfadj')
-
-        # can also just specify widget pseudo-type (valid)
-        self.assertNotIn('bar', form.widgets)
-        form.set_widget('bar', 'notes')
-        self.assertIsInstance(form.widgets['bar'], widgets.NotesWidget)
-
-    def test_make_widget(self):
-        form = self.make_form(fields=['foo', 'bar'])
-
-        # notes
-        widget = form.make_widget('notes')
-        self.assertIsInstance(widget, widgets.NotesWidget)
-
-        # invalid
-        widget = form.make_widget('fdajvdafjjf')
-        self.assertIsNone(widget)
-
     def test_set_grid(self):
         form = self.make_form(fields=['foo', 'bar'])
         self.assertNotIn('foo', form.widgets)
@@ -564,34 +544,6 @@ class TestForm(TestCase):
         data = form.get_vue_model_data()
         self.assertEqual(list(data.values()), ['one', 'two', True])
 
-    def test_has_global_errors(self):
-
-        def fail(node, value):
-            node.raise_invalid("things are bad!")
-
-        schema = self.make_schema()
-        schema.validator = fail
-        form = self.make_form(schema=schema)
-        self.assertFalse(form.has_global_errors())
-        self.request.method = 'POST'
-        self.request.POST = {'foo': 'one', 'bar': 'two'}
-        self.assertFalse(form.validate())
-        self.assertTrue(form.has_global_errors())
-
-    def test_get_global_errors(self):
-
-        def fail(node, value):
-            node.raise_invalid("things are bad!")
-
-        schema = self.make_schema()
-        schema.validator = fail
-        form = self.make_form(schema=schema)
-        self.assertEqual(form.get_global_errors(), [])
-        self.request.method = 'POST'
-        self.request.POST = {'foo': 'one', 'bar': 'two'}
-        self.assertFalse(form.validate())
-        self.assertTrue(form.get_global_errors(), ["things are bad!"])
-
     def test_get_field_errors(self):
         schema = self.make_schema()
 
diff --git a/tests/forms/test_schema.py b/tests/forms/test_schema.py
index 003271c..e7f9f36 100644
--- a/tests/forms/test_schema.py
+++ b/tests/forms/test_schema.py
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
 
-import datetime
-from unittest import TestCase
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import colander
@@ -15,22 +13,6 @@ from wuttaweb.forms import widgets
 from tests.util import DataTestCase, WebTestCase
 
 
-class TestWutaDateTime(TestCase):
-
-    def test_deserialize(self):
-        typ = mod.WuttaDateTime()
-        node = colander.SchemaNode(typ)
-
-        result = typ.deserialize(node, colander.null)
-        self.assertIs(result, colander.null)
-
-        result = typ.deserialize(node, '2024-12-11T10:33 PM')
-        self.assertIsInstance(result, datetime.datetime)
-        self.assertEqual(result, datetime.datetime(2024, 12, 11, 22, 33))
-
-        self.assertRaises(colander.Invalid, typ.deserialize, node, 'bogus')
-
-
 class TestObjectNode(DataTestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
@@ -120,11 +102,6 @@ class TestObjectRef(DataTestCase):
         value = typ.serialize(node, person)
         self.assertEqual(value, person.uuid.hex)
 
-        # null w/ empty option
-        typ = mod.ObjectRef(self.request, empty_option=('bad', 'BAD'))
-        value = typ.serialize(node, colander.null)
-        self.assertEqual(value, 'bad')
-
     def test_deserialize(self):
         model = self.app.model
         node = colander.SchemaNode(colander.String())
diff --git a/tests/forms/test_widgets.py b/tests/forms/test_widgets.py
index 0ff5696..f479e5a 100644
--- a/tests/forms/test_widgets.py
+++ b/tests/forms/test_widgets.py
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ class TestObjectRefWidget(WebTestCase):
         self.session.add(person)
         self.session.commit()
 
-        # standard
         node = colander.SchemaNode(PersonRef(self.request, session=self.session))
         widget = self.make_widget()
         field = self.make_field(node)
@@ -69,15 +68,6 @@ class TestObjectRefWidget(WebTestCase):
         self.assertIn('cstruct', values)
         self.assertNotIn('url', values)
 
-        # readonly w/ empty option
-        node = colander.SchemaNode(PersonRef(self.request, session=self.session,
-                                             empty_option=('_empty_', '(empty)')))
-        widget = self.make_widget(readonly=True, url=lambda obj: '/foo')
-        field = self.make_field(node)
-        values = widget.get_template_values(field, '_empty_', {})
-        self.assertIn('cstruct', values)
-        self.assertNotIn('url', values)
-
 
 class TestFileDownloadWidget(WebTestCase):
 
diff --git a/tests/test_handler.py b/tests/test_handler.py
index effb413..9c4037f 100644
--- a/tests/test_handler.py
+++ b/tests/test_handler.py
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8; -*-
 
 from wuttaweb import handler as mod, static
-from wuttaweb.forms import Form
-from wuttaweb.grids import Grid
 from wuttaweb.menus import MenuHandler
 from tests.util import WebTestCase
 
@@ -64,13 +62,3 @@ class TestWebHandler(WebTestCase):
         handler = self.make_handler()
         menus = handler.get_menu_handler()
         self.assertIsInstance(menus, MenuHandler)
-
-    def test_make_form(self):
-        handler = self.make_handler()
-        form = handler.make_form(self.request)
-        self.assertIsInstance(form, Form)
-
-    def test_make_grid(self):
-        handler = self.make_handler()
-        grid = handler.make_grid(self.request)
-        self.assertIsInstance(grid, Grid)