Kreg Owners' Community

I am a beginning woodworker and would really like to take a woodworking class.  I mostly spin my wheels when I work on my own and really need some guidance.  If anyone knows of any beginner woodworking classes in the Tampa area I would appreciate the heads-up.  I'm still praying that the projects I've already completed don't come crashing down (in the case of my heavy wall mirror!) or fall apart.  Thanks!!!

Views: 555

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Penny,

Depending on what level of instruction you're looking for I have some suggestions.

1.  Check your local woodworking supply stores.  Here in the Phoenix metro area Rockler, Woodcraft and Woodworkers Source offer demonstrations and classes.  Some are free, some have a nominal fee attached.  All the Phoenix area stores post their class schedules on their web page.

2.  Do a web search and/or inquire at your local woodworking supply store about a woodworking club in the area.  You may find a treasure trove of experienced woodworkers willing to share their knowledge.  Perhaps some of the members teach classes or do one to one tutoring.

3.  Check your local community college and/or technical schools in your area.  This may be more than your looking for, probably a semester long class or possibly longer.

4. Check the listings for your local PBS station.  They offer woodworking programming here in the Phoenix area and may do so in the Tampa Bay area.

5.  Check the woodworking magazine web sites.  Many of them offer free tips or newsletters you can subscribe to and many offer on-line courses for a fee.  I've never taken any of the on-line courses, so I can't vouch for them, other to say they are out there.

6.  Either purchase woodworking books or check your local public library for books/periodicals.

7. Lastly utilize discussion forums such as this one.  If you have a question most of the members are willing to share their knowledge.  This forum for example has some very knowledgeable woodworkers who willingly share their experiences.  Don't hesitate to ask the questions.

I'm sure there are resources I've forgotten to mention, but I'm sure others will fill in where I fell short.

Happy searching and good luck finding some help, Don

Thanks for the advice Don!  Those are all good ideas...I wouldn't have thought of most of them on my own.  I have a very good feeling about this Kreg site, like you mentioned.  I sense that people with knowledge are willing to help us newbies out when we need it!!  Thanks again!

Hi Penny, I read your post with interests  as I teach woodworking in my shop but it is here in Oregon.  In the meantime or until you find a solution to obtaining some classes here is some suggestions that I have done with success.   I send  anyone who is interested in becoming a  class members and who is beginning in woodworking to other businesses such as cabinet shops, door shops, construction sites  and custom wood working shops where they can watch projects being built by different craftsman.  I arrange this by calling and asking for a tour of their shop or business.  Most businesses out here will jump at the change as it is like free advertisement for them.  The main reason I do this is to prove to them that there are many ways to arrive at a successful project and I do not want them to think that my way is the only way.  It causes them to think and learn to understand and rationalize what they have seen and apply it to their knowledge base.  They think way past the need of plans and instead for the need of correct joinery and understand the principals of joinery and this happens without them realizing it.

 

One additional thing that I have them do is to visit as many furniture stores and cabinet outlet stores including the big box stores of home Depot and Lowes.  What I have them do is to look at and study to memory as to how it is built and why it is built in that particular manner.  What this does is build confidence of which I read that you are lacking in confidence.  It also teaches them joinery with out them even realizing it.  The biggest benefit that they get from doing this is that it teaches them to build with out plans and allows them to build on their own without having to be strapped at someone else's plan.  When they see enough pieces and examples  they will begin to form all they need to know in their mind and will build it without needing a plan.

 In reality you can not build a custom piece by using a plan drawn up by someone else.  Why? because it is not drawn up to scale so you have to re-draw it to fit your needs.  If you build custom furniture and you use someone's plan, then it is not custom.  The same applies to building cabinets.  The exception to this of course is if the plan was drawn exclusively for your project and then destroyed after your build.  Generally speaking when you say custom it means that it is built as a one of a kind and there is no other one like it.  That means that any thing that you build using that plan is really a copy.  There is nothing in this world that would disgust someone more than to have ordered and paid for a custom piece of furniture and then to have it appear in a duplicate form in a house around the corner.  It does not matter that maybe you built the frame differently if the doors and or the face looks the same.

I like to have them look as the prefab cabinets that are in the big box stores and find and understand the lack of quality in these and to begin to figure out in their own mind as to how they would built it differently and better.

There are also many woodworking clubs that are open and easy to join.  Many of these, including the class members that I teach, get involved with or are already involved with woodworking groups in the neighborhood.  Many like to build things for the needy and elderly in nursing homes and care facilities that need all the help that they can get. 

Another good thing is the amount of knowledge that is located on the web.  You Tube is actually full of how to videos that allow you to watch and learn how to build about anything you can think of.  So what I am saying is that you can become an excellent woodworker by teaching your self.  You need to get your hands dirty and learn by the trial and error and learn how to fix the errors,  Then go to someone who has experience of many years and hone your skills.  You can not hone your skills until you have conquered the basis of building and fixing the errors and building a background of knowledge.  I can teach you how to hold a chisel but I can not guide the hand as it cuts the wood. 

I wish you well and I can tell you that if you have the desire to work wood then there is a way to do it.  The above is some suggestions .

 

Hi Jay!  Thanks for taking so much time to reply to my question.  I really appreciate all of your ideas...some things are out of the box, but excellent suggestions!  I feel kinda stuck...I've been stumbling along on my own, but happy to at least be making progress.  Then I got my Kreg and I'm even more excited.  But I feel like 'what now?'  I know I need to improve my skills, but feel all alone.  When I signed up for this Kreg site I realized what a great resource it would probably be...and with woodworkers like you...so far, so good! 

My mistakes frustrate me.  But my husband works with metal, and over the years I have learned patience from him.  So when I make a mistake I try not to get frustrated.  I figure that I learned a good lesson.  And making mistakes is sometimes the only way to figure out the right way.  My reciprocating saw has had to be used a few times...but it also gets out my frustration!! 

I have peeked at furniture construction while I'm in stores, but I guess I need to just be a little more bold and not worry about what people think of me.  And I've looked at many youtube videos, and you're right...there is a wealth of information out there!  I think I just need to step out of my comfort zone, be bold and take your suggestions.  I really am excited to learn!!!

Thanks again for all your help and advice!  It is much appreciated!

Penny

Penny, you have already been given great advice by the other users but being from the Tampa area also I figured I would point out a few things. There are several woodworking and woodturning clubs in the area. If you are near Brandon they have a club as well as Lutz, and Tampa. I am in the Brandon club it is www.brandonwoodworking.com It is well worth the time going to the monthly meeting and watching a live demonstration on a different topic each month. This is also a way to get discounted tools that have been cared for. Hillsbourgh community college also has a hands on class for woodworking it is around a 100 dollars for about eight weeks. One other suggestion is that a lot of the woodworkers around here are retiree's some will hold mentoring sessions at their private shop. That has to be worked out individually though. We also have a woodworking show in March at the fairgrounds every year. Good luck with the process of learning woodworking it is very addictive. If you have any additional questions or want more info let me know.

Jason

Thanks so much Jason.  I actually live in Plant City so the Brandon club would be perfect for me.  I noticed that the next meeting is on July 14...not too far away.  I'm making a promise to myself that I will go!  I can't say that I won't be intimidated, because I will, but getting myself out there is gonna be the only way that I'll learn.  I hope that everyone there will be kind to someone new and very green!!  Thanks again for the info...Penny

Penny that's great. No need to be intimidated all walks of life are at the meetings from the professional woodworker with 50 years experience to the novice woodworker. The demonstrations are all about asking questions and then trying it in your own shop. We even do show and tell. Look forward to meeting you attached are a couple of pictures of my current project. It is a display cabinet made from 50 year old flooring out of a chicken coop using my kreg jig for case construction.
Attachments:

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Need Help?

For Technical Support, please call 800-447-8638 or send a message. Reps are available Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm CST. 

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

Forum

Jig settings for 2 ¾ x 1 ½ boards with 30 degree miters?

I making a hex ring out of 2x4s ripped to 2 ¾ inches wide with 30 degree miters.  What setting on the Jig should I used? 1 ½ is too much.  Thanks.Continue

Started by Patrick Halinski in Kreg Jig® Operation Dec 30, 2023.

40mm Cup Hinge Jig Question

Hi All.....I have the 35mm Kreg Jig hinge drill guide. The guide is great for 35mm Hinge Cups, but I have a speciality 40MM hinge cup to drill.Has anyone adapted the Kreg guide to work with 40mm Forsner drill bits? Or have a guide that works…Continue

Started by Ed Anderson in Beginners' Zone Oct 3, 2023.

Product Reviews

New Kreg 720Pro

I saw the video Kreg put out for this new jig and had high hopes for it.

I purchased one today and am very disappointed with it.

First the docking station is extremely cheap. The plastic is pathetic. A Lego has more…

Continue

Posted by Duke Leon on February 15, 2021 at 9:00pm

Not Pleased With Pocket Hole Construction

Several months ago, I purchased the Kreg K4MS so that I could build the Lego Table as outlined on the companion "buildsomething" web site which exclusively uses pocket hole construction.  I have considerable experience with conventional…

Continue

Posted by Robert Ringel on September 17, 2020 at 1:48pm — 9 Comments

© 2024   Created by KregRep.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service

_