Intro to Woodworking

Fine Woodworking

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Introduction to Woodworking

This is an intense course. Two days a week you will be immersed into the world of woodworking. You will learn to utilize the most important tool in the shop. That tool is your ability to think; your ability to solve. All the other tools in the shop are relatively easy to learn how to use. Learning to use this tool (you) takes time, patience, persistence, and passion. You have to be able to let go of some preconceived ideas, and perhaps loss some bad habits. Some of these ideas, or thought patterns are:

Engineers Mentality; It is the perception that to be really good we have to measure stuff really well – and the more often we measure stuff, the better. The first thing you build in this class will be built without tape measure or ruler. I have seen woodworker measure to .0001 tolerance, this measurement has not place in woodworking, the wood itself will change more than that when it absorbs and losses moisture during the course of a day.
Egomaniac: Some people are so convinced of their own perfection that they are afraid of doing anything in fear of losing their perception of their own perfection. In other words they are so sure they are so afraid of making a mistake, they don’t make anything at all. Dive in, make mistakes – this is the only way of making this knowledge your own.

Creating something with your own mind and body is an experience many of you have never realized; Enjoy it. We will always embrace an environment of learning, sharing, and growing. With that in mind I realize we will have all levels of skill within the class. Don’t allow yourself to feel for a minute that you know it all, and that you have nothing to gain from the very greenest of woodworkers. Furthermore, don’t assume because you have done any woodworking, that your opinion and past experience are not’t important. Woodworking combines Art, Craft, and Science in ways that continue to amaze me every day. If you have ever taken a breath, or watched a sun-set you have something to contribute.

This fall (2007/8) will be the seventh iteration of this class and we’ve changed a lot of things; this is living and changing class. The process is enjoyable if you let it. We are in this process of change as a team, you and I, to create, define, and perfect this course. This process of change and growth is truly the key to anything worth doing.

For the more analytical among us, my goal for teaching you and your goal for learning lives and breaths around the following:

Wood, Identifying it, and appreciating it’s properties
The importance design plays in craft. Some basics of design
SAFETY
Shop Drawings – reading and creating
Estimating and Purchasing the wood for your stock
Basic Joinery
Tools
- Hand
- Power (Router – including building jigs)
- Stationary (Tablesaw, Bandsaw, Joiner, Planer, Lathe, Mortiser)
Business of Woodworking

The above is the actual beginnings of the class syllabus. This is a hands-on course and designed for either the newest of woodworkers to the experienced woodworker just wanting to improve his or her craft. This class creates a strong-net community of woodworkers which allows friendships and professional relationships to be created which will last long after the class has been completed.

The intro class is a unique class, designed for the future professional woodworker or the very serious hobbyist. We focus first on gaining a comfort level with handtools. This is quickly linked with the corresponding power tools. My goal in teaching is not to soley focus on one or the other, but to help you understand the right time to use the appropriate tool.

The course also requires the student to attend several special classes. The student is required to attend at least 4 of these special classes, but is encouraged to attend as many as possible. These classes vary from semester to semester. The special classes and seminars for fall will be listed soon.

Spring 2008