A Finer Table

Come with ideas to design, plan, and build a table with a drawer. Students who enjoyed making the mortise and tenon table in Woodworking I can go deeper into the process. The first session will be devoted to designing the tables, drawing up the plans, and making cutting lists. Students must provide their own wood by the second session. An optional field trip will be organized to the lumber supply to help select materials.

PREREQUISITE: Woodworking I

Build a Skateboard

Build your very own custom skateboard from seven layers of hard maple veneer. Learn to shape a foam mold, the woodworking techniques, and the concepts of vacuum press veneering for bending wood. You will practice using basic woodworking power tools, including the band saw and power sanders, as well as hand tools, such as files, rasps, and planes. Apply a basic wood finish and set up your skateboard deck to ride.

Carving the Tudor Rose

Carve the traditional and historical Tudor Rose design, while learning to work with chisels, gouges, and techniques for creating detail and three-dimensional visualization. By combining stylistic and historical references, you will get to experience wood carving as a centuries-old tradition and a modern means to express your creativity.

Fundamentals of Woodworking

Begin your woodworking experience in this introduction to tools and techniques. We will cover the basics of wood technology, what hand tools and power tools to use, how to use them, and how to care for them, as well as an intro to finishing, and a discussion of joinery vs. structure. Bring a notebook and comfortable shoes, as this will be a fast-paced, hands-on overview.

Hand-Cut Dovetails

Cutting dovetail joints by hand is a milestone in the path of a fine woodworker. Students learn how to use chisels and saws to cut dovetails precisely, getting feedback on how to improve their work with hand tools. This class is appropriate for beginners and those with some woodworking experience who wish to further their hand tool skills.

Hand Tools 

This introduction to hand planes, chisels, saws, and proper workbenches is meant for people who would like to work with wood without using machines. Sharpening, traditional jigs, and work holding methods will be covered. Students learn how to cut and plane boards, then build a tray, box, or similar object.

Marquetry

Learn the basics of handling veneer and the decorative technique of marquetry, where you use small, variously colored veneer to create an image. You will make at least two coaster-sized projects, one of which will have the traditional leaf design. You will learn both classic methods that can be done at home, as well as more modern techniques that utilize woodworking machines and laser cutters.

Pen In One Day

Students will make two pens at the lathe, one of solid wood and one of your own design built up from several pieces of wood. Since turning pens is a quick process, we will have time to teach you how to choose woods, how to prepare and mount wood on the lathe, and several of the more popular finishes. We will cover safe operation of a lathe, demonstrate how to use common woodworking tools, practice tool sharpening techniques, and discuss options for what kind of lathe you might want in the future, from a small pen lathe to more robust machines that can handle much bigger projects. Bring clothes that can get dirty.

Spoon Carving By Hand

Learn basic principles of working with wood while making your own carved wooden spoon. Topics covered include different types of wood, grain direction, carving, shaping, and food safe finishes. Through short demonstrations and lectures, we will use a combination of power and hand tools, exploring the material for its functionality as a creative medium. At the end of the workshop, students leave with a unique spoon, ready to use!

The Bandsaw Box

You don’t need a fully equipped shop to enjoy woodworking! In this class, you will learn to design, make, and finish a unique wood box. With an emphasis on tool safety and material exploration, we will use a combination of power tools and hand tools to make boxes of all shapes and sizes. Beginning with a solid block of wood, you will learn how to lie out, cut, sculpt, and reassemble the block into the form of a box. Demonstrated techniques will include hidden hinges, small drawers, pull knobs, and fitted lids, as well as texturing, carving, burning, painting, and finishing. Suitable for beginning and intermediate students, all materials provided.

Wooden Bench

Learn basic concepts and techniques of woodworking, including how to use power tools and traditional and modern hand tools to create a simple wooden bench. Explore how to create strong joints for connecting wood and the proper way to glue boards together to make a wooden bench.

Wooden Box

Create a tabletop wooden box for everything you need to keep in one place! After a basic introduction to woodworking handtools, create a small, functional wooden box to take home. Use for work, special keepsakes, or as a jewelry box.

Wooden Toy

Build a unique, customizable wooden toy! Learn to safely use woodworking tools and machines, then complete your project with colorful, foodsafe finishes. Class projects include wooden pull toys, simple dollhouses, or animal rattles. You will leave with a beautiful heirloom toy to last for generations.

Woodturning I

Use a lathe to turn a rough piece of wood into a beautifully shaped spindle or bowl. In this jam-packed course, you will learn the basics of the turning process. The class will cover tool usage and sharpening, as well as wood selection, preparation, and finishing.

Woodturning II

Explore more advanced projects, now that you are comfortable using the lathe and understand basic tool usage. This class gives students more time on the machines with the guidance of the instructor. Demonstrations in additive sculpture will be emphasized.

PREREQUISITE: Woodturning II

Woodworking I

Learn how to use power tools, as well as traditional and modern hand tools, safely and effectively. Class assignments introduce basic concepts and techniques, to give you the skills needed for many woodworking projects, such as mill board flattening and straightening, creating strong joints for connecting wood, and gluing boards together to make a panel. Students leave with a strong foundation for more advanced wood classes and a small end table. All tools for learning are provided.

Woodworking II

Build on the skills you developed in Woodworking I through the construction of a small cabinet. Woodworking II introduces students to miter and dado joints, hardware installation, and re-sawing on the bandsaw. Please bring a sketch for a small cabinet you would like to build to the first class. NOTE: Students are responsible for their own materials in this class.

PREREQUISITE: Woodworking I

Woodworking Lab

Lab sessions are a great benefit, exclusively for Crucible members! Practice the skills you learn in class and explore new possibilities with your craft. No instruction is provided during lab sessions, but a lab monitor will be present to answer questions, manage safety, and provide overall support. You are free to come and go at your convenience during open lab hours, however you must provide your own materials.

PREREQUISITE: Woodworking I and Crucible membership

Youth Woodcarving and Sculpting (ages 8-11)

Learn the history, cultural significance, and process of woodcarving and sculpting, including design and carving approaches. Through hands-on demonstration and approach, students get expert guidance through every step of the carving process, from brainstorming to adding fine detail. You will create a unique 3-D project of your own.

Youth Woodturning (ages 12-18)

Using a lathe, you can turn a rough piece of wood into a beautifully shaped spindle or bowl. In this jam-packed class, you will learn the basics of the turning process as you explore small bowl turning and spindle turning. The class will cover tool usage and sharpening, as well as wood selection, preparation, and finishing.

Youth Woodworking I (ages 14-18)

Learn to use hand and power tools to shape wood into objects that will last for decades. You will learn about the properties of lumber, safe tool use, measurement and layout, and fundamental woodworking joints. You will leave with an end-grain cutting board, a mitered corner box, and the skills to build an unlimited range of wooden objects.

Youth Woodworking II (ages 14-18)

Dive deep in this continuing level youth workshop. Students take an immersive step into weeklong study, becoming young artisans along the way. You will also be exposed to theory, principles, and extensive techniques that let you design and create your own unique project.