May 16th, 2010 
TBDKeith First the disclaimer…I have been teaching woodworking classes for several years. Just so you know up front, this is not a sales pitch, just a look into why someone wood (pun intended) want to spend time and money to take a class when there is so much free information on the web.
There are countless woodworking forums, blogs and online magazines packed full of useful information. As fast as you can click your mouse, you can find a boat load of information on every aspect of woodworking. Just one click and you can find a step by step tutorial on how to make mortise and tenon joints, another click and you can watch a video on how to cut dovetails. Look a little more and find page after page on boat building. With all this good (and free) information at your finger tips, are woodworking classes worth the investment?
Here’s a quick look at few of the different types of classes that are offered.
Classes that are focused on one piece of furniture, such as a chair, http://bit.ly/bqGuHY , be it a Windsor, Adirondack or rocking chair, the goal of the instructor is to teach you how to build that particular chair. These classes offer a great opportunity to learn the steps needed to build a single piece.
Marquetry, http://www.djmarks.com/classes.asp inlay or carving are disciplines taught in phases, (like most woodworking). Starting with the basics and move forward as your skills progress.
There are classes that cover the set up and safe use of a particular type of tool. This could be a table saw, http://bit.ly/bqGuH band saw or router. Usually geared toward the beginner, these instructions are designed to help you get the most out of your woodworking equipment.
Classes that teach you about a specific type of tool, such as the lathe http://jlrodgers.com/classes.html or scroll saw. In this situation, the tool and the different methods of using it, are the center of the instruction.
This list is by no means a complete list of woodworking classes, just a few examples of what is offered.
Hands on classes offer a chance to learn directly from someone skilled in your area of interest. When reading “How to” instructions or watching videos on line, the information is delivered and then it’s up to you. If the information is vague or unclear then you are left sorting out what is relevant or useful. In a class setting, you have the opportunity to ask questions and insure that you have a clear understanding of the material. This is also a good time to exchange information with fellow classmates. The chance to hear the instructions, discuss them, and either watch someone else practice the technique and/or give it a try yourself, all while under the guidance of the instructor.
I have often wondered why woodworking tool manufactures don’t directly support classroom instruction. It seems to me a great opportunity for them to promote their products directly to the people that would be buying them. As mentioned above, I teach woodworking classes and one class that I offer is a basic router class. In this class I ask each student to bring a router, so that they have the opportunity to see first hand other routers and their different features. Having several routers lined up for inspection, the students get a first hand look at what features the different manufacturers have to offer. I call this “the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” session. I always bring the ugly one. As the session progresses I often see the students borrowing routers from each other and then comparing notes. The likes and dislikes discussion eventually turns to which one would you buy and why.
Have you ever taken a woodworking class? Did you find it worth the investment?
Keith
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I find woodworking classes to one of the most valuable tools in the tool box. Not only do you get great hands on instruction, but the exchange of ideas amoungst fellow woodworkers makes for a great learning expierience. I just return from 7 days at MarcAdams School of Woodworking in Fanklin, Indiana. It was worth every penny. Jerry
Hi keith, Great article very good read.
). “BUT” at the end of the day you just can’t beat one on one or group classes whether your a beginner to master. Each of us has there way of doing this and its human nature to show off to other’s what we can(or can’t) do. I have taken classes and it was more for me just being with other like minded people. The net is very good but its cant fulfill that friendship or just chatting to other’s whether you walk away from the class a better woodworker well sometimes thats not the point its just getting in there and giving it ago.
The net has helped me no end as a self taught woodworker i have always turned to the big world of the WWW’s whether its plans to step by step tutorial (video podcasts love them) or just plain simple having a nose at what others do
Thank you Keith, and ihope your classes are full. best wishes,,,mark
Hi Mark,
You are right on…you can’t beat the friendships of those that share the same interest. They can live around the corner or on the other side of the ocean. Priceless friendships.
Keith
Hello Jerry,
I have heard a lot of good thinks about Marc Adams schools.
Hope you are keeping busy.
Keith
Great post Dad!
There are some things the web just isn’t a good alternative to… and hands-on instructional types of content is one of those things. In a classroom setting, you can ask questions and get instant, thought-out answers and gain knowledge from the others in the class. You can gain insights as to why certain techniques work in some circumstances while others don’t – something you’re not going to get from a ‘this is how it’s done’ 10 minute video on the web.
Also, a good instructor will often help you avoid mistakes before you make them… the last thing you want is to have to throw a piece of stock that you’ve planed, sanded, sliced to length and cut your dadoes into the scrap pile because you forgot to flip the board when cutting out your dovetail joints.
Thanks Mike,
Good point about having to scrap a piece of stock. Sounds like you may have done it a time or two.
Thanks
Dad
Hi Keith, I have taken several classes at Marc Adams and have always come away learning something new. You work hard , but I always look forward to going back. Classes and instructors help you open up your mind to new design possibilities and how something can be done. The instructors make a big difference. Some may say something can only be done a certain way, but others will say “there are no rules”. I heard this many times during a turning symposium given by the MidMichigan Woodworkers Guild -hosted by Gary Brown – a guild member. The event was held at Woodcraft in Grand Rapids, they donated the use of their shop and equipment (seven lathes!). This learning opportunity was enhanced by the Woodcraft store, you could see and use most of the equipment you might want to purchase for yourself. Thank You Gary Foote at Woodcraft.
The main point is that there are opportunities to learn at many levels – full blown schools with world/nationally known instructors and woodworking clubs. You might be surprised by the skills and knowledge of your friends around you.
Hello Russ,
Another satisfied student from Mark Adams school.
http://www.marcadams.com/
You said,
Quote “The instructors make a big difference. Some may say something can only be done a certain way, but others will say “there are no rules”.” end quote.
Well said.
With the exception of safety, I agree 100%.
For such a modest sized group of woodworkers, we really have a wealth of woodworking talent in MMWG. The great part is they are willing to share their skills as you experienced with Gary Brown at Woodcraft in Grand Rapids.
Thanks for commenting.
Keith