Woodworkers make items made from wood, including cabinets, boxes and musical instruments. The skill of working with wood requires technical training and a wide range of equipment and tools.
A high school diploma is typically required to become a woodworker. A woodworking apprenticeship may be an option for those who want to learn the craft from a professional.
Woodworking Glossary
A woodworking glossary is a great resource for understanding common terminology used during the woodworking process. This can help you avoid making mistakes or getting confused when choosing a tool or lumber for your project.
Chip carving (v) – An easy, yet effective, way of removing small pieces from a flat surface to create a pattern in the material. This is a technique you can master using only a few tools.
Burls are beautiful and highly figured trees with unique patterns that are easily recognized by their interwoven knots and dark and light grain. These types of woods are often prized by woodworkers for their aesthetic qualities.
Points per inch (ppi) – A measure that measures the number of teeth points that cover a 1″ span on saw blades.
Bevel chisel (n) – A specialized type of carving chisel with a beveled edge that is useful for reaching tight areas.
A crossbearer is a caul made of wood materials that helps add even clamping pressure when used in conjunction with a clamp tool. This caul is typically placed between the tool and the material to ensure that the wood doesn’t chip out during the clamping process.
Woodworking Terms
As a wood worker, you will need to know a few basic terms in order to understand what is going on in your woodworking projects. By understanding these terms and how they affect your project, you can be more successful and confident when working on your woodwork.
Tongue and groove (v) – A wood joint that features a long narrow channel along the direction of the grain. Often seen in exterior decking, this joint is a great choice for weatherproofing and hiding seasonal wood movement due to humidity.
Matched lumber (v) – Solid wood that has been edge dressed and shaped to make a close tongue-and-groove joint at the edges or end when laid edge to edge or end to end. Flitch matched or book matched are common methods for making this type of timber.
A basic but weak woodworking joint, the butt joint is usually set up as end-grain-to-face-grain, end-grain-to-long-grain or long-grain-to-long-grain. This joint can be used for boxes and other simple constructions, but it isn’t as strong as a rabbet or dovetail joint.
Woodworking Tools
Woodworking is a multifaceted skill that requires a wide array of tools. Whether you’re building furniture, crafting a home-made work of art or turning a spindle, the right tools can make all the difference in how smoothly your project goes together.
A good set of hand tools is crucial for any wood worker, and the most essential are a chisel, a plane, a screwdriver and a nail set. A screwdriver is an all-purpose tool that can be used for driving in nails, fastening a woodworker’s hands while working or removing fasteners after disassembling a piece.
Similarly, a plane makes it easier to cut through thin pieces of wood, and a chisel helps clean out joints and saw cuts. You’ll also want a sharpening stone for a quality plane and chisel so they stay sharp over time.
Woodworking Classes
Woodworking classes are a great way to learn new skills and make things for your home or business. They also provide a chance to connect with other people who share your passion.
One of the best benefits of woodworking is that it improves hand-eye coordination. This can help people perform other tasks more quickly and effectively.
Another benefit is that it improves heart health. This is because it encourages movement of the body and lowers stress levels.
Taking woodworking classes can lead to career opportunities in the field. They can also give you a sense of accomplishment and pride in your work.
Many in-person workshops and trade schools offer woodworking classes. These courses typically include hands-on instruction from an experienced woodworker. They may also be available online through various platforms, including Skillshare.
