Woodworking Program

WOODWORKING | creating with wood using traditional & modern tools and techniques

San Diego Craft Collective offers a robust Woodworking Program, providing all ages with an entry point into the vast landscape of this traditional craft.

The program is supported by a cadre of dedicated, talented and active woodworkers who are passionate about bringing this traditional craft to you and your family using safe, sustainable and grounded practices.

Read more about the Craft Collective’s woodworking classes below and sign up to begin your learning journey today!

Woodworking for Children | 3-12 years

The Craft Collective offers a variety of learning opportunities for children, including  Monthly Classes for Ages 6-8, Monthly Classes for Ages 9-12, Monthly Classes for Teens, Workshops, and Seasonal Camps.

Woodworking classes focus on age-appropriate methods in a safe learning environment, providing a rich foundation in the basics of hands-on woodworking. Woodworking classes begin with children as young as six years old. Younger children (ages 3 years and up) are exposed to basic woodworking principles and technique through an ever-rotating set of craft experiences through Craft Studio for Younger Children.

Woodworking for Teens | 12-18 years

The Craft Collective offers a diverse Teen Program that provides a strong entry to a simple, yet complex, craft. Teens learn about wood as a creative medium, wood properties, and joinery. The level of difficulty is gradually increased as their skills grow. In each project, instructors encourage and support design skill practice as well as self-expression. Enjoyment of the making process is also underscored.

In many of our classes, students make projects that they can directly utilize and take home. Occasionally we take on projects that benefit the community, which is a wonderful way for teens to gain experience in working collaboratively, cooperatively, and for the benefit of others. It also allows them to execute real-life projects that will live out in the community, offering a chance for them to show their workmanship to their family and friends.

Visit our current Teen Woodworking Class and other Workshops, and sign up today to begin a journey into traditional craft with modern applications.

Woodworking for Adults

The Craft Collective offers a wide range of woodworking classes in our Adult Program. Classes range from beginner level all the way up to professional works of museum-quality furniture. What sets our program apart is the level of quality: professional instructors who are highly qualified; a clean, organized, well-maintained workshop and tools; and well-designed class projects.

NOTE | If a class is full or you would like to be notified of future offerings, join our Interest List to be notified when new dates or spaces are available.

Recurring Adult Woodworking Classes

Intro to the Woodshop is the perfect starting place for someone who wants to learn woodworking. This is an 8-hr intro-level workshop that teaches various beginner skills and machine safety. The next level would be a step up to intermediate-level courses, and from there, students can move on to more advanced coursework. Intermediate-level and advanced coursework are currently offered by way of private instruction. Email us at team@sandiegocraft.org for more information.

Intro to Hand Tools is being re-launched Fall 2024! Stay tuned! Join our Interest List to be the first to hear about it!

Solid Body Guitar Course is designed to walk students through the steps of making their own electric or bass guitar. We’ll construct a guitar and all components are included. Students will learn how to safely use the machinery and tools required to complete the project. We will show how to finish your guitar with a hand-rubbed oil finish, or a sprayed finish and install all components so it’s ready to play by the end of the series.

Spoon Carving in the European Tradition is a 5-hour workshop where students will learn to carve a decorative spoon in basswood with decorative features. Topics covered include: carving safety, honing/sharpening, tracing and transfer of the spoon layout, hollowing, carving & sanding. This class is designed for the beginner as well as more experienced carvers.

Carving Club is our weekly gathering of a mix of past carving students and woodworking afficionados who meet on Monday evenings with the collective interest in honing their wood carving skills in a supportive environment of fellow carvers. The Collective offers carvers of varying skill levels a place to meet to create their own spoons or other carved items. Hand tools will be available for use during club meeting time.

Wooden Brush Making
In this class, students will learn shop safety and how to use various machines such as the bandsaw, spindle sander, edge sander, and drill press. Students will hone carving skills by adding curves and texture to their own wooden brush. We will build upon machine knowledge and cover wood shaping using various hand tools such as rasps, files, spoke shaves, hand planes, chisels, and gouges. We will also discuss design principles, functional applications, the properties of wood, and brush materials such as Tampico fibers.

Beginner Lathe | Woodturning is a 3-hour woodworking workshop where students will get acquainted with a woodturning lathe, its parts, the tools needed, safety tips, tool sharpening techniques and how to shape wood on a lathe. The class will consist of students learning to round a piece of square stock, learning the four basic cuts and turning a honey dipper as their take home project.

Kumiko Woodworking is a 3-hour workshop covering the ancient Japanese woodworking technique of assembling individual pieces of wood, without the use of nails, into geometric patterns. Kumiko has been used in constructing shoji screens, latticework, and other decorative elements in traditional Japanese architecture. In this workshop, students will learn the basics of kumiko, including the use of a hand tools to cut the pieces and assemble the frame. Each student will work on a small project to finish and take home. Beginners welcome.

Woodshop Open Studio is a program that allows students who’ve successfully completed the Intro to the Woodshop course to purchase blocks of time in the woodshop to work on their own projects. Open Studio is offered a variety of times per month. It is not intended for students who need direction or instruction. There will be a knowledgeable person onsite to answer questions regarding machine safety, but students should come prepared with their project and design all ready to go. Note that construction-grade lumber, extremely hard woods such as ipe, and reclaimed lumber are not allowed. We work to keep a well-maintained shop, and those materials can cause machine disrepair.

Woodworking for Women & Non-Binary

Woodworking for Women | Skills for the Home Woodshop
This is a unique class focusing on skills and safety for the home shop. No specific project will be built, but students will learn safe practices on tools that you’d normally find in a home woodshop. Specific tools covered will be jigsaw, router and circular saw. Bring your questions to class. We’re happy to answer questions as we work. If time allows, we show other tools in the woodshop as well.

Woodworking for Women | Bandsaw Box
In this class, students will create a bandsaw box with a pivoting lid. Students will leave this workshop with a bandsaw box of their own and the skills to begin creating their own designs. In this class we will cover shop safety and use of the bandsaw, spindle sander, edge sander, drill press, as well as various hand tools. In addition, we will cover the mixed media process of flocking. Students will also learn sanding best practices and how to achieve a perfect finish.

More new projects and classes to be announced.