SDFWA

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association

SDFWA Membership Levels

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association Membership

Measure twice, join once—become a member today!

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 100% volunteer-run community of woodworking enthusiasts. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced craftsman, our association provides education, mentorship, and resources to help you grow in your craft. Everyone is welcome at SDFWA.

Membership benefits

There are many benefits to becoming a member of SDFWA, including exclusive discounts at local woodworking retailers like Rockler’s, Frost Hardwood, and more. Plus, you have the opportunity to sign up for woodworking classes, join special interest groups, and learn from experts at the eye-opener events. 

Take a woodworking class or use the workshop

Our volunteer-led Education Team offers beginner-friendly courses and skill-building workshops to help you master woodworking techniques. Browse our available classes here.

Attend an eye-opener meeting

Connect with fellow woodworkers over coffee and donuts, hear from expert speakers, and learn something new. At eye-opener events, woodworking experts come to speak about a specific topic. We’ve had people teach us about different types of glue, variations of sandpaper, and creating French inlay banding by hand. There is something for everyone. 

Get exclusive discounts

Enjoy member-only discounts at local and online woodworking retailers. You’ll receive a membership card to show at the register. Check out our list of sponsors here. 

Join a special interest group (SIG)

Join focused groups to explore niche topics, share projects, and collaborate with like-minded woodworkers. Some of the SIGs we have include luthiers, digital tools, carving, and more. You can learn more about our special interest groups here. 

Get added to our craftsman list

Get referrals for commission projects by being included in our directory of skilled woodworkers.

Access an extensive woodworking library

Access over 1,300 books on all aspects of woodworking.

Stay in the loop with our monthly newsletter

Stay updated with the latest events, techniques, and community highlights.

Chat with others on the forum

Share your projects, ask questions, and discuss various other woodworking topics with other local woodworkers on our members only woodworking forum. 

Browse wants and disposals

Members can post ads for tools or materials they want to buy or sell. It’s a great place to find deals or offload equipment you no longer need.

Take a shop tour

Visit woodworking shops, suppliers, and artisans to gain inspiration and insight into the craft.

Build for our local community

Participate in service projects, like our toy-making program that raises money for hospitals, libraries, and women and children’s shelters.

Attend the Design in Wood Exhibition at the Del Mar Fairgrounds

Volunteer at one of the largest woodworking exhibitions in the country, showcasing incredible craftsmanship. Learn more about the Design in Wood Exhibition here. 

Membership options

Bronze membership – $35/year

  • Perfect for anyone who wants to learn and connect without shop access. 
  • Includes discounts, the ability to book classes, and all general benefits. 
  • The Bronze membership does not include shop access. 

Silver membership – $295/year

  • Perfect for anyone who wants full access to the shop and all available tools. 
  • Includes fifteen 3-hour shop slots. 
  • Includes everything in the Bronze membership.

Shop membership requires a provisional period to ensure safety and community engagement. Availability is limited. You must be 18 years old or older to join. 

Gold membership – $550/year

  • Perfect for anyone who wants full access to the shop and all available tools. 
  • Includes fifty 3-hour shop slots. 
  • Includes everything in the Bronze membership.

Shop membership requires a provisional period to ensure safety and community engagement. Availability is limited. You must be 18 years old or older to join. 

Questions about membership?

If you have questions about membership, please contact Membership@SDFWA.org. 


How to sign up for your membership: 


All memberships are managed through our scheduling and membership software called ProClass. Follow these steps to get started:

  1. Create a ProClass account by entering your name, email, and a password.
  2. Once your account is set up, you can purchase a one-year Bronze membership for $35.
  3. If you’re interested in the Silver or Gold membership, which includes shop privileges, please fill out the interest form here.
Purchase a Membership
ProClass Instructions

Craftsman Referral Terms

BACKGROUND
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the education, promotion, and execution of the principles of fine woodworking.
The SDFWA frequently receives requests from people seeking the service of a woodworker. Therefore, although custom woodworking for hire is not the purpose of our organization, we offer this referral service to the public so that they might connect with a woodworker.

SCOPE
SDFWA does not screen or warrant the skills or work of any craftsman. The public should use their own discretion and due diligence before hiring any craftsman, from any source, including this one.
The sole role of SDFWA in this referral service is limited to providing our member woodworkers with your completed form. It is up to each craftsman to initiate a contact with the requester.

PROCEDURE
After a requester submits a project, the form will be emailed to our list of participating craftsmen. If a craftsman is interested in the project, they will contact the client directly, and a two-way conversation can begin.

As the craftsmen themselves choose which projects to respond to, this means that it is probable that some project requests will receive no response. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time, please submit your request again, using the provided referral form.
Note that contacting SDFWA directly will not achieve the desired results.

DISCLAIMER
By agreeing to these Terms, and by continuing to submit this Referral Form, and by utilizing one or more of the services of any of these craftsmen, you are agreeing to contract exclusively with that individual craftsman and to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SDFWA Organization, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this agreement, and any and all failures, damages, or otherwise negative outcomes caused directly or indirectly by the craftsmen you employ to do any project initiated by this Form. This does not preclude you from pursuing legal remedies from the individual craftsman that you employ. But any remedy you pursue is restricted to that individual craftsman, and does not include the SDFWA organization or any of its volunteer members.

Agree
Disagree