subject: Resources for Woodworking Education [print this page] Resources for Woodworking Education Resources for Woodworking Education
Overview
Woodworking is a very popular activity because it serves so many purposes for people. The end result often is a beautiful and functional piece that can be enjoyed right away and will last for years. For woodworkers, the process of designing a piece on paper or on your computer, then choosing the right materials, then building the piece satisfies a creative and mechanical interest that many of us have. Woodworking can be done as a hobby or as a profession. Many amateur woodworkers start with relatively small projects (bird houses, bowls, storage units, etc...) and sell them at local craft fairs or shows. As their skill improves, they can move to larger and more expensive pieces and make even more money.
Woodworking can be satisfying monetarily and creatively and there is no shortage of projects that can be created out of wood. Wood itself is a renewable and recyclable resource, so the hobby is easy on the environment and many people prefer pieces made of wood over metal or plastic. No matter how you approach woodworking, it can be a rewarding activity for a wide range of people.
So now that your interest in woodworking is peaked, just how do you go about getting started? The great news about woodworking is that it can be a safe and enjoyable activity for anyone to begin, and getting the knowledge required to start safely is readily available. Let's explore some options for getting you the information you need to get started with woodworking.
Free Resources
For those willing to do a little research on their own, there are an overwhelming number of free resources available to teach woodworking. These resources are highly skilled, trustworthy and easy to find with a little digging. There is no need to worry that choosing a free option will in any way take away from your knowledge level.
Let's look at some free resoures that are available to just about anyone:
Your Local Library - No, the local library is not dead! This is a great place to start your educational journey in woodworking. Today's libraries have books, articles and videos that are at your disposal for free. A quick search of my local library for the term "woodworking" resulted in over 100 results. Books, plans, buying guides, tool care and more are there for me to explore.
The Internet - Don't underestimate the power of the internet to find information you need. A quick search in my favorite search engine resulted in these results: "woodworking videos" - 1.2 million results, "woodworking training" - 3.5 million results, "getting started woodworking" - 19,000 results, "learn woodworking" - 540,000 results. As you can see, the Internet is filled with information about woodworking. Many of the resources come from respected sources such as woodworking tool manufacturers, professional woodworking companies and popular woodworking magazines. The internet is full of video as well. Drill down into the "woodworking video" search and you'll see people walking you step by step through the process of choosing tools, setting up your shop, choosing wood and actually building projects.
Woodworking Clubs - Most areas of the country have woodworking clubs. These are groups of people that love woodworking and who like to get togther to share information. Clubs are a great way to meet experts, ask questions and learn how to do things. Nothing teaches like watching someone do what you are trying to learn how to do. A quick internet search of "woodworking club atlanta georgia" returned over 700,000 results.
Paid Resources
If you would prefer to pay for woodworking training, there are many options as well. Paying for training is a more traditional approach that can help you build your skills more quickly. Here are some paid woodworking resources that are available.
Books - Your local bookstore or online bookseller can provide you books on any aspect of woodworking. Books are available to help you select tools, to help you set up shop, to help you take care of your tools, to help you choose wood, for project ideas and the list goes on and on. No matter what you need to know about woodworking, there is likely a book available to help you.
Training Classes - Classroom-style training classes are readily available and easy to find in most metropolitan areas. Training is provided by your local community college and/or vocational school, by woodworking retailers, by woodworking clubs and by professional organizations. Before spending your money on a training class, take some time to talk to the instructor or class organizer to make sure that the class fits your skill level and interests.
Videos - As technology improves, there are many video training options available for the new woodworker. Searching the internet for "online woodworking training" returned over 1.5 million results. Some of this training is free and some paid, but, no matter which you choose, do your research and make sure the training will get you where you want to go.
Woodworking is popular the world over and, as a result, it's very easy to get the knowledge and information you need to get started. Check out your local library or woodworking shop to see just how many options are available to you.
