Specialization in Woodworking: Techniques, Styles, and Innovations

Inspiration / Tyler Shaheen

Discover key woodworking influences, from iconic designers like Finn Juhl and Hans Wegner to modern makers like Sean Boyd and Philip Morley. Their work emphasizes clean lines, functionality, and bold design choices. Inspiration also comes from brands like Joybird and Article. Next, you’ll explore the process of collecting design ideas.

Inspiration / Urvi Sharma

Let's dive deep in the diverse influences that shape design, from childhood books and Indian artists like S. H. Raza to the Bauhaus movement and designers like Josef and Anni Albers. Inspiration also comes from contemporary studios and everyday cultural elements, particularly from India. Next, you'll learn how to prepare your workspace.

Inspiration / Alexandre Chappel

Last but not least, discover a range of creative influences, from problem-solving makers like Colin Furze to storytelling YouTubers like Peter McKinnon. Design inspiration comes from Dieter Rams, Teenage Engineering, and the iconic Eames DSW chair. These influences shape both style and approach.

Module 2

Join Jack Bibbings and Matthew Hensby as they guide you through the process of making professional wooden furniture using hand-held tools. Learn to shape wood, understand essential hand tools, and craft a timeless, solid wood furniture piece. Discover how traditional craftsmanship meets modern design in this hands-on course.

12 lessons (1h 48m)

Tool List

Let's first run through the tools you’ll need to complete the course as well as some pointers for when going out to buy your own.

Introduction to the Workbench

In this lesson, you’ll learn what to look out for in a workbench focused on hand tools.

Introduction to the Plane and Block Plane

Now you’ll learn everything you need to know about the hand plane. We will talk about how to set it up and how to use it.

In this lesson, you will learn about the spokeshave and chisel. We'll run you through the anatomy before telling you how to use these tools in your final project.

Spokeshave and Chisel

Sharpening Blades

Let us now show you how to sharpen your blades. We'll run you through all the blades we've touched on so far.

In this lesson, you will learn what to look out for in the timber that you choose for your final project.

Timber Selection

Introduction to Stools and Plans

Let's introduce you to the stool that you will be making and the design plan that you will be following.

Component Preparation and Dimensioning 1

In this lesson, we will prepare and dimension the components of the stool.

Component Preparation and Dimensioning 2

Now that you've prepared the top and bottom of your stool, you can move on to smoothing its ends. This will help give your stool the shape that you want it to be.

Joinery

Now we will be drilling the mortices into the seat and shaping the tenons onto the legs.

Cutting Chamfer and Assembly

In this lesson, we will cut the chamfer on the underside of the seat. We will then assemble and level it.

Finishing Touches

Let's put the finishing touches to our stool―including flushing tenons, final chamfers, and applying finishes.

Module 3

Join designer Sandy Buchanan and learn traditional joinery techniques to craft a minimalist, contemporary stool. Using sustainably sourced timber, you’ll master the fundamentals of joinery and create a timeless, durable piece of furniture. Develop your skills to build artisanal furniture that lasts for generations.

17 lessons (3h 29m)

Understanding Traditional Joinery

In this lesson, I will introduce you to the two types of traditional joinery used in this project and why they work so well.

The Tools

Now, I will talk you through the tools you will need to lay out, cut, and fit the two joints I discussed in the previous lesson.

Select and Size Timber

In this lesson, I will talk you through how to approach selecting and sizing your timber for a project like this.

Marking Out and Cutting Mortice and Tenon Joinery 1

In this lesson, I will briefly introduce the workbench's characteristics to provide a flat and stable platform that will allow you to do precise and safe work. Also, I will show you other alternatives if you don't have access to a workbench. Then, I will continue showing you how to choose the orientation of each component and mark them, using the "carpenter's triangle" for reference. Next, I will show you how to roughly mark out all the different joinery on each component to prevent mistakes and establish measurements.

Marking Out and Cutting Mortice and Tenon Joinery 2

Here I will continue marking all the components following the measurements I established for the mortice and tenon lengths and width. Once I finish doing this, I will start with the cutting mortice and tenon process! Remember to cut the mortice first because it is easier to fit a tenon to a mortice than the other way around.

Marking Out and Cutting Mortice and Tenon Joinery 3

The cutting mortice and tenon process continues! Once I finish cutting all the mortices, I will start cutting the tenon cheeks. I will use a Japanese pull saw, but you can also use a Western saw. Then, I will move on to cutting the tenon shoulders.

Marking Out and Cutting Mortice and Tenon Joinery 4

I will continue cutting the tenon shoulders. Next, I will show you how to use a chisel to pair any lines. Once I finish cutting all the shoulders and using the chisel to make some adjustments, it's time to assemble! The fit should be tight enough to hold together when suspended, but loose enough to be assembled by hand. If the joint is out of square, relieve areas pushing it out of alignment.

Marking Out and Cutting Bridle Joints 1

In this lesson, I will show you how to mark out and cut the bridle joints for attaching the seat rails of our stool. First, I will identify the reference faces (outside face and face to be morticed) and the mortice length. Then, I will use the same procedure as the mortice and tenon to mark walls and cheeks using the marking gauge.

Marking Out and Cutting Bridle Joints 2

Now, I will lay out the positions for the tenons in the rail structure. Then, I will use a chisel to bevel both shoulder lines on the waste side to create a guide for my saw blade. Next, I will cut the tenon cheeks using the chisel and pair them. Finally, I will test assemble and look for issues.

In this lesson, I will introduce you to the concept of drawboring, how to mark it out, and how to use dowels.

Draw Bore Assembly

The Glue-Up Process 1

Before gluing up the sides, in this lesson, I will show you how to drill the holes in the stretchers that will allow you to attach the top, select a drill size slightly larger than the intended screw, and prepare a counter sink to hide the head on the underneath. Then, I will sand the inside faces with 120 grit sandpaper using offcuts to keep them square.

Now that I have prepared all the inside faces of our components, it's time to start gluing up the first assembly. I will glue up each side individually and apply glue to all the mortices and the tenon faces. Then, I will assemble all the joints, and next, I will hammer the drawbore pegs in to bring the joint home. Finally, I will remove any glue squeezed out.

The Glue-Up Process 2

Once the glue is dry, I will sand the inside faces of the two assembled sides and plane the tops of the stretchers. Then, I will glue up the two sides to make the final piece, applying glue to all the faces ready to assemble.

The Glue-Up Process 3

In this lesson, I will prepare the stool for finishing and discuss applying an oil finish. First, I will sand all the faces, then remove the dust, and finally, I will apply finish and work into the grain.

Finishing and Assembly 1

Now that there are several coats of finish on my stool parts and they're totally dry, it's time to pass on to the next step of the process: assembling my stool. In this lesson, I will show you how to do this.

Finishing and Assembly 2

Adjusting the Design

In this lesson, I will show you how you can adjust the same design for our stool to create a children's stool or a bar height stool.

DIY Dowel Making

Lastly, I will show you how to create homemade dowels if you don't want to buy them.

Module 4

Start your journey with Helen Welch and learn the classic woodworking technique of creating strong, attractive dovetail joints. Explore the tools, materials, and methods needed to craft a dovetailed box, and gain the skills to apply this technique to other furniture projects. Master this mark of quality craftsmanship for your woodworking endeavors.

16 lessons (3h 36m)

Tools and Materials

To begin with, let's take a look at tools and materials. You will become familiar with the various saws, chisels, and marking-out tools that are used to cut dovetails. We will also review solid timber versus manufactured boards such as MDF, plywood, and veneer.

In this lesson, I will show you how to mark out your boards to ensure you're always working from the correct surface. This will help you to avoid any annoying mistakes that will cause problems later.

Marking Systems

Dovetails 1

I will now demonstrate how to mark out and cut your first dovetails. First, you will learn how to use the marking gauge to mark the shoulder line on the tails. Let's dive in!

I will now show you how to prepare the pin board by placing it in a vice and tracing the shape of the tails. I will then demonstrate how to cut out the pins with saws as before and clean up with a chisel. Finally, I'll test fit the joint and make any necessary adjustments.

Dovetails 2

12m

Grooves

In this lesson, I will cover how to cut the groove that holds the base of the box in place. You will learn two different methods and choose the one that suits you most!

Cutting the Joints 1

I will guide you in cutting out the dovetails for the sides of the box and the groove for the base. To get started, I will walk you through the dimensions.

Now that the necessary markings have been made, it's time to cut out the dovetails! You will see how I work with the saws and chisel to do this.

Cutting the Joints 2

I will now saw the miter joints at a 45-degree angle. To finish, I will make any necessary adjustments that will ensure the box closes well. Let's go!

Cutting the Joints 3

Surface Preparation and Assembly

Now that the joinery and grooves are finished, it's time to prepare the surfaces! In this lesson, I will show you how to sand and finish the inside of the box before glueing up the parts.

Next, I will demonstrate how to cut and shape the lid. The first step is planing the taper. Then, you will learn how to scribe the lid with a shooting board so that it fits perfectly with the box.

Making the Lid 1

As the lid is still quite stiff, in this lesson I will return to the shooting board to remove some shavings from the sides and ease the movement slightly.

Making the Lid 2

In this lesson, I will explain how to fit the lid to the box. With the lid in position, you will learn how to cut out the recess for the thumb lift.

Fitting the Lid

Surface Preparation of the Lid and Outside Faces 1

During this lesson, I will guide you in planing and sanding the outside of the box and the lid. To start with, you will learn how to resolve any gaps in your dovetails.

Surface Preparation of the Lid and Outside Faces 2

Now that the underside is ready, it's time to move to the top. By the end of this lesson, you should have achieved a smooth, blemish-free surface.

It's finally time to add the finishing touches to your box. In this lesson, I will show you how to apply an oil finish and put the brass rods in place.

Finishing the Box

Carcase and Drawer Construction and Half-Lap Dovetails

How can you apply the skills you've learned to other projects? In this lesson, we will look at cabinet construction. I will show you some examples of dovetails used in drawer construction.

Module 5

Expert Matt Kenney guides you through the ancient Japanese Kumiko technique, teaching you to create delicate, interlocking wood patterns. Learn to combine geometry, clean lines, and precision to craft beautiful, functional art. Explore the serene process of Kumiko and create pieces that blend tradition and craftsmanship.

16 lessons (2h 30m)

Tools

Although it can be intimidating, the table saw is an accurate and versatile tool. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use it safely, as well as get an overview of the sleds and jigs that you’ll use to make Kumiko.

What Type of Wood and Where to Find It

In this lesson, you will learn the qualities that make wood suitable for Kumiko. I’ll also give you examples of woods not to use. There are many places to buy wood suitable for Kumiko, but a lumberyard is where I go. I’ll give you a few pointers for navigating the lumberyard, but also tell you some of the other types of stores that sell the wood you’ll need.

How to Mill Wood

I’ll show you how I turn the rough lumber that I buy into stock ready for Kumiko and explain how you can do the same even if you don’t have the type of machinery I do.

The Anatomy of Kumiko

Before making Kumiko, you should understand what it is. In this lesson, you’ll learn about how frames are made and put together and discover the magic of how patterns are put together without glue.

Using the Sled and Finger Joint Jigs

Here you’ll learn how to set up the sled and finger joint jigs, as well as how they work together when you are making the frame.

Making Thin Strips for the Frame

The last step before assembling the frame is cutting the strips used to make it from the wide, notched board. I’ll show you how to do this safely, and explain how to ensure that they are the right thickness.

Assemble the Frame 1

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to put the frame together without breaking any of the parts.

A work like this is built on precision and patience. In this lesson, I'll continue assembling the frame minding each of the pieces.

Assemble the Frame 2

Parts of the Pattern: Diagonal, Hinge Piece, Locking Piece

Here I’ll show what each piece looks like, the angles that they have cut into their ends, and how they fit together to make the complete pattern.

Making the Diagonal Piece

Now you’ll learn how to set up the paring jig and how to cut the bevels into the diagonal’s ends.

Cutting Offset Bevels and Fitting the Hinge Pieces

In this lesson, I'll show you how to cut the bevels on the end of the hinge piece so that when the two meet in the pattern they create an open 90º “birdsmouth” joint.

The locking piece is a shorter version of the diagonal, and you’ll learn how to work such a small piece safely, and how to fit it so that it holds the entire pattern together. In this lesson, you’ll learn how the paring jigs are designed so that you can quickly make all the pieces you need for the many asa-no-patterns in the panel, and what to do if you find that some pieces don’t fit.

Make the Locking Piece

Here you’ll learn how to safely cut notches for short parts like those in the hashtag.

Cutting Notches

Ripping Out Thin Strips for the Pattern

Because the legs of the hashtag are so short, you’ll learn how to make and use a special cutting sled to make the thin strips needed.

Assembling the Pattern and Cutting The Hashtag to Fit

In this lesson, I’ll show how to put the pattern together and ensure that it’s square. Then, I’ll show you how to cut the ends of the hashtag legs at 45º, you’ll make a sled to hold them and guide them through the table saw blade.

Now that panel is complete, you’ll sand it to ensure that all of the pieces are flush with one another. I’ll show you how to do this with a piece of plywood and some sandpaper.

Finishing Your Piece

Module 6

Learn to craft exquisite Mid-century modern furniture with seasoned designer Tyler Shaheen. Explore the creative process behind designing and building your own pieces, from the fundamentals of woodworking to advanced techniques like cabinet construction and drawer assembly. Tyler will guide you through building a nightstand from scratch while sharing tips on finishing, template routing, and showcasing your work on social media. Unleash your creativity and master the art of furniture design.

14 lessons (3h 17m)

Collecting Ideas

First, I will talk about how to find inspiration and begin designing your custom piece of furniture.

Preparing to Create Your Design

In this lesson, you will learn everything about how to choose the right path for you to design furniture pieces.

Designing the Piece

During this lesson, I will show you how to begin the process of designing your piece of furniture.

Before start working on anything, I will teach you how to calculate the materials you’ll need for your project.

Tools and Materials

Breaking Down and Milling Materials

In this lesson, you will see how to begin breaking down and milling the materials needed for the project.

It's time to start working! During this lesson, you will learn how to construct the outer cabinet.

Building the Cabinet 1

I will continue sharing my best tips and tricks to make the outer cabinet. I will also show you how to make adjustments if anything is off.

Building the Cabinet 2

Building the Base 1

How do you make good templates? Why do we use templates? In this lesson, I will teach you everything you need to know about how to do template routing.

In this second part of the lesson, you will see how to build the base while I share some tips to make this process easy peasy.

Building the Base 2

Building and Installing the Drawer Box 1

I will teach you how to build a drawer box for undermount slides. Undermount slides are a bit unique in the way you need to create your drawer boxes to work properly. I promise once you get through this process one time, it gets easier.

Building and Installing the Drawer Box 2

Here, I will continue to break down the process for you to understand better and to make this work without too many problems.

Now, I will explain how to properly sand and apply an oil-based wipe-on finish.

Sanding and Finishing

Sharing Your Work on Social Media

Let's discuss a few strategies to effectively share and promote your work on social channels to help grow a page.

Selling Your Pieces

To finish this module, I will show you a few different avenues to begin selling your pieces.

Workspace Preparation and Tools

Module 7

Master the art of carving, dyeing, and applying patterns to wood, creating unique, functional furniture with designer Urvi Sharma. Explore the essentials of working with wood, and discover techniques to enhance its natural beauty. Craft hand-dyed, carved furniture pieces from scratch and bring your design ideas to life.

12 lessons (1h 28m)

In this lesson, I will cover how to create a workspace, what tools and equipment you might need, and some basic safety procedures when working with power tools.

Wood as a Material

Now that you have an overview of the necessary equipment, I will dive deeper into one of the key materials you will need: wood. In this lesson, I will teach you how to define its main properties, by first dividing it into two main categories: softwood and hardwood. Finally, I will discuss its capabilities and its limitations as a natural resource.

Pattern Making on Wood

The next stage of preparation is learning the basic techniques. Here I will demonstrate some different ways to manipulate the surface of the wood, by first using a gouge and male, then a hammer and nail, and finally a rotary tool. You will learn how to create interesting patterns and textures by employing these tools in creative ways.

Adding Color to Wood

Although many people are skeptical about coloring wood, I believe that—when used correctly—color can enrich a piece of furniture and make it more uniform. In this lesson, you will learn how to work with color and wood to create an aesthetically-pleasing result.

Getting Inspired: The Mood Board

It's time to get started with the design process. I will show you how to brainstorm ideas, create mood boards, and apply all the previous lessons to come up with a concept for the course project.

Creating the Design

Now that you've familiarized yourself with the basic tools and techniques, gathered inspiration, and created a mood board, it's time to get started with the course project. In this lesson, I will help you to finalize your design on paper and then create samples of your final piece using scraps of wood. These will be used to explore the texture and color.

Carving the Pattern

The next step is to carve your design onto the final piece. I will walk you through this process by engraving my pattern onto the top of my wood. As you begin this process, don't worry about being too perfect—the first markings should act as a guide.

In this lesson, I will show you how to dye or stain the carved top and legs according to the final design. For this step, it's very important to make a clear plan before starting. Being methodical with the dyeing process will minimize the potential for mistakes.

Dyeing the Wood

By now, the different elements of your piece should be complete. In this lesson, I will demonstrate how to assemble the final end table using the appropriate hardware.

Assembling the Table

12m

Finishing the Piece

Once you've ensured that your table is free of any dust or debris, you will be ready to make the finishing touches! In this lesson, you will learn about the various types of finishes and their suitability for different occasions. I will then show you how to complete the end table using a spray finish.

Care Tips

Now that you've created a wonderful project, the next step is to learn how to take good care of it. In this lesson, I will explain how to best maintain your finished piece.

Documenting the Process

Building a portfolio is key to the success of any creative. In this lesson, I will cover different ways to document your process.

Module 8

Discover how to merge 3D printing with woodworking to create unique, functional furniture with designer Alexandre Chappel. Explore the process of 3D modeling, printing, and woodworking techniques to turn your ideas into custom furniture pieces. Combine craft and technology to bring your creative visions to life.

16 lessons (2h 36m)

What Is 3D Printing and How Do I Get 3D Models?

In this lesson, I will introduce the different types of 3D printers, paying special attention to the one you’ll be using in this course. Then, I will talk about how to get the 3D models that you will later print out.

Wood and 3D Modelling

Let's explore the tools that you’ll be using in this course, both digital and physical.

Idea Generation and Sketching

In this lesson, we're going to go through the process behind gathering inspiration. This can be from magazines, online, or in real life. Then, we will move on to creating small simple sketches to explore what we want to make and narrow down its details.

Mock-Ups and Final Concept

It's time to test out your ideas in the real world! You’ll use pieces of cardboard and tape to experiment with proportions and try different sizes.

In this lesson, I will introduce you to the modeling software Fusion 360. You will learn the basics of 3D modeling and the different features you can use to create an object.

3D Modeling 1

Here, I will continue with the modeling stage. It's time to bring some dimension to your object!

3D Modeling 2

There are a few things to pay attention to when designing parts to be 3D printed. In this lesson, I will start to familiarize you with some of these factors, including support material.

Modeling for 3D Printing

Designing Parts to Fit with Other Materials

Now that we've covered the basics behind designing parts, let’s talk about how to combine these with off-the-shelf hardware and other materials. To give your 3D printed parts much more functionality.

The first step to 3D printing is slicing. Let's have a look at some different settings that will impact the final result.

Slicing Our 3D Models

Test Prints and Modifications

Before steaming ahead and printing out all your parts, it’s important to test out the measurements and ensure that everything fits well together.

3D Modeling Our Final Part 1

It’s finally time to model the parts that will become your furniture, using the information you collected from the test. You’ll apply everything you’ve learned so far to create a 3D model with all the right measurements.

3D Modeling Our Final Part 2

In this lesson, you will see how to finalize the 3D model of a shelf bracket by refining its geometry with chamfers, fillets, and precise hole placement. I’ll create a flat surface for a hole using offset extrusion, ensuring proper alignment. Then, you’ll learn to design a wall mount bracket with similar techniques, adding structural support and smooth transitions. Finally, I’ll teach you how to export both parts as STL files for 3D printing.

Printing and Finishing the Final Parts

Next, you will print out the parts that you just modeled. In this lesson, I will demonstrate how to achieve the right settings to get the quality and strength you desire. Then, after everything is printed, you will need to remove the support material ready for the final assembly.

Cutting the Parts

In this lesson, I will model how to cut the wood to size. You can either do this on your own or get help from a local wood supplier. You’ll only need basic tools for this step.

13m

Finishing the Wood

Now, you’ll take the raw pieces of wood, sand them, and then apply a protective coat of oil.

We're almost done! It's time to assemble your parts and complete the furniture. Are you ready?

Assembly