Sneak Peek
Learn to work with wood
A foundation course in woodworking that helps you to understand the different tools and materials used to create everything from furniture and buildings to bowls and toys.
- Learn to do home repairs
- A taster/introductory course for working in the building trade
- Start a business making and selling things from wood
- Gain skills to yo your own home reno
What's covered in the course?
LESSON 1 WORKSHOP, TOOLS, & APPLICATIONS
Workbench
Safety
Tools
Hand tools
Other tools & equipment
Power tools
Tool storage
Tool boxes
Hanging tools on wall
Woodworking applications
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 2 TYPES OF WOOD
Timbers
Hardwoods
Softwoods
Composites
Timber veneers
Recycled wood
Harvesting from nature
Dimensions of timber
Job preparation
Ordering timber
Planning
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 3 CUTTING & SHAPING
Measuring before cutting
Measuring dimensions
Measuring angles
Cutting
Types of saws
Shaping timber
Chamfering
Moulding
Cutting curves
Grooves
Dado
Rebate
Routers
Other shaping tools
Planes
Chisels
Spokeshave
Rasps
Files
Sanding
To sand a surface
Using steel wool
LESSON 4 JOINERY
Basic types of joints
Housing joint
Mitre joint
Butt joint
Mortise and tenon joint
Dovetail joint
Preparing a mortise and tenon joint
Reinforcing joints
Dowels
Nails
Wood screws
Glues
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 5 CARVING & WOODTURNING
Carving
Tools for carving
Timbers for carving
Carving techniques
Whittling
Chip carving
Carving sculptures
Relief carving
Woodturning
Tools for woodturning
Machinery for woodturning
Woodturning techniques
Preparing the workpiece
How to do woodturning
Making safe cuts
Types of cut
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 6 FINISHING
Preparing for finishing
Wood filler
Sanding
Cleaning
Finishing techniques
Polishing
Painting
Varnishing
Applying varnish over paint
Staining
Review what you have been learning
Final assessment
Learn to Match the Wood you Use with the Job at hand
Wood may all begin as a growing plant, but the pieces that a woodworker works with can vary in hardness and form, size and shape, and other characteristics. Some wood may be easier to work with, but it may not be as durable or useful (practically or aesthetically) as another type of wood that might be more costly. Part of being a good woodworker is to know sufficient to make good choices about what wood to use for a job at hand.
The types of natural timbers used for woodwork vary from country to country. Anyone pursuing woodwork would be wise to explore suitable timbers available through suppliers in their region. Some timber merchants can import more unusual timbers for enthusiasts or for bespoke projects, so it is worth asking around.
Generally, the sapwood which is the living part of the tree trunk towards the outside is paler in colour when cut for timber. Heartwood, which is the dead part in the middle of the trunk, is darker in colour. Usually when describing timbers, it is the colour of the heartwood that is referenced.
In terms of hardwoods and softwoods, hardwoods are usually denser than softwoods (i.e. they weigh more per unit area – kilograms per cubic metre) which can make them more difficult to cut and work with. They also tend to be harder and more resistant to scratches and dents, though there are exceptions. Softwoods come from conifer trees (e.g., pines, spruces, cedars) and they have a slightly more open cell structure which makes them easier to work with. They are usually lighter in weight, and most are pale in colour.
The choice of timber will be determined by factors such as the final appearance (natural or painted, grain pattern, etc.), whether it needs to be durable or resist rot, the expense, etc.
ENROL AND START YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOME A SKILLED CRAFTSPERSON