Woodworking Basics: Prepping Lumber for Projects

This class has a prerequisite. Please see below.

In fine woodworking, everything starts with the wood. Before you can focus on joinery or fancy details, you need to make a board foursquare, with surfaces that are flat, straight, parallel, and square. And then you need to cut the lengths, widths and thicknesses you need, in a way that positions the pieces where the grain direction makes the most sense.

In this class, you will learn techniques and strategies that will help you custom mill wood to the precise dimensions you need. You’ll learn:

• Why wood cups, twists, and bows, and what to pay attention to when you are selecting the wood.
• How to use the jointer, planer, and table saw to get a board to the point where it can be used in furniture making.
• How to read a board when you are laying out parts, so that you use the wood efficiently and wind up with grain directions that are pleasing to the eye, functional and structurally sound.

Details:

• Ages 14+ are welcome.
• Prerequisite: This class is open to students who have taken Orientation to the Woodshop and Woodshop Tool Safety Checkout 1. Multiple sessions are listed on the Woodworking Calendar. Please login to your BARN account and click on "My event registrations" to ensure you have completed the required prerequisites before you register for this class.
• You must wear safety glasses and closed-toe shoes, tie back long hair, and avoid loose-fitting clothing and jewelry. We recommend bringing your own safety glasses.
• Overall BARN safety policies are here.
  
• Tuition assistance is available. Click here to fill out our simple application before you register.

Instructor: David Kaplan is an avid amateur woodworker and BARN member. He especially enjoys the process of turning rough lumber into straight, square stock.