Where to take woodworking classes is a frequent question that I get, and there are several places you can go. It’s great to take a class, because you can do something that you can’t do when you study alone. That is ask questions. Here is how you find your classes.
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Where to Take a Woodworking Class
When you finally take a class because you want to take a class, it feels so different. Having been through college, even then it never felt like I was doing what I wanted, or taking the classes that I enjoyed.
If you take a woodworking class, you really will enjoy the experience. You will love looking for a class, picking a class, and even paying for a class. The whole experience is very different from most other classroom environments, and that’s good.
Thankfully, there are many places that offer classes, and you can go at your own pace. You are in control, because this is your personal education. You drive, and you decide what you want to learn and when.
Here are a few places where you can take a woodworking class, and make yourself an even better woodworker…
The Old Familiar College
Most community colleges and universities now have more trade instruction than ever before, and the world is shifting towards appreciating those that create with their hands. Start off at your local college, and see what they offer.
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This course is going to be more expensive, but you can end up taking several classes if you like, and learning quite a bit. There are even degrees that you can pursue, and you may even find yourself to be a long time student.
Start by calling and getting some ideas. Check their courses online, and see what types of woodworking classes they offer. They may have something that interests you, and you can look further into that class.
See Also: 15 Great Places to Get Woodworking Wood
Taking Classes at a Woodworking Store
A lot of woodworking stores do classes. This is a way to educate their customers about different types of woodworking, and it also offers them the chance to sell more tools. If you have a local store in your area, it’s a great place to start.
Either go onto their website or pop into the store and ask about their classes. Many times, the classes are taught by the same people that work in the store. This is great for several reasons, mainly that they will be knowledgeable about the product as well as really using it.
If they have a sheet with the prices and the times, get that from the store, and you can take a look at the different classes at your leisure. When you see something that looks good to you, sign up and start learning.
See Also: 12 Tips for the Best Garage Lighting Layout
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Taking a Private Class
Some woodworking stores have instructors that teach private classes. You can also find these kinds of people online. Private classes can cost quite a bit more than group classes, but you get very intensive instruction from them.
A private class is an amazing thing, because you have someone with you that has already gone through all of the hard work and failure that you are trying to avoid. They can help you make better decisions, and they can jump start your woodworking knowledge.
Look for someone that has a good track record, and if possible meet them or get to know them somehow before the class. You will want to make sure that they are a good communicator, so you can be sure that you will learn from them.
Interviewing former students, looking at reviews, and checking their website is a good way to learn more about a private instructor.
See Also: 16 Helpful Tips for Using Birchwood Casey Tru Oil
Working Part Time in Wood Repair
Some companies hire and train woodworkers to repair furniture for them. This is a great way to learn a lot about woodworking too, and get paid for it. Even as a part time job, something like this is a huge head start.
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Having came from this background myself, I can promise that you will never really be able to train yourself as fast as you can be trained by your employer. They will have you filling defects for eight hours a day, and when you Practice Like It’s Your Job, you definitely become good at the process quickly.
Working in repair gives you free training, and you can use the skill in your shop. Building things and repairing things are different skills, but they are all under the same umbrella. As a repair tech, the better I became, the better my woodworking became too.
Woodworking Classes and Talking to Real People
There is just something about having a real person showing you something that you can’t get from a book or online. Even videos are not the same as a live person. The biggest advantage to taking a class is that real live, breathing person right in front of you.
As a new woodworker, you are going to have a lot of questions. Having someone to ask those questions is a big win. When you take a class, you get just that. You get a real live human that you can ask very specific questions and get the answers you need.
Any kind of live class you take is going to have some time for questions. Use this time well, and make sure that if you are wondering something, ask it. There are no dumb questions, and someone else is probably thinking the same thing.
See Also: How to be a Modern Renaissance Woodworker
Where to Take Woodworking Classes Wrap-Up
As a new woodworker, where to take a class is a very common question. Thankfully, there are several different places that offer classes. Simply look around, and you can find a class that fits your needs.
There are classes at colleges and trade schools, in fine woodworking stores, private instruction, and in some retail stores that sell wooden products. Get in with one or more of these places and you might find a class that will make you a better woodworker.
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If you have any questions on Where to Take Woodworking Classes, please leave a comment and I will be glad to answer them. Happy building.
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