A woodworking community of learning and craftsmanship.

NOT ALL COURSES ARE TAUGHT EACH MONTH

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Check CURRENT CLASS OFFERINGS the first of each month to see new course offerings

Introduction to Veneering

Description: Veneering is a very useful technique that allows for wide array of complex surface treatments while greatly enhancing the visual beauty of a piece.  Students will learn about the types of veneer, substrates, tools and glues. Two veneer projects will be completed: a 4 panel book match and a checkerboard pattern. 

Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites: Age >18; Introduction to Woodworking A or instructor Approval

Format: 4 sessions, each 4 hours

Project you will make: 4 panel book match and checkerboard pattern.

Cost: $450

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Special Instructions for this class: None

Full refunds: for cancelations more than 14 days in advance or if class is cancelled50% refunds for cancelations more than 7 days in advanceNo refunds for cancelations less than 7 days in advance or for failure to appear.

Make a Decorative Box

Description

Box-making is a fun woodworking skill that provide an opportunity for individual design creativity; plus, decorative boxes make great gifts!  Box-making serves as an entry point to making decorative trays, drawers, and other precision multi-sided structures.  This course is for woodworkers of any level who wish to learn how to make a splined, miter-cornered box from milling, through box assembly and finishing.

Level: Beginner

Prerequisites: Age >18; Introduction to Woodworking A or equivalent experience.

Format: 1, 5-hour session

Project you will make: a decorative splined box.

Cost: $100 

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Special Instructions for this class: None

Full refunds: for cancelations more than 14 days in advance or if class is cancelled50% refunds for cancelations more than 7 days in advanceNo refunds for cancelations less than 7 days in advance or for failure to appear.

Domino Joinery

Description

The Domino DF500 is a powerful tool that can significantly speed up the creation of mortise and tenon joints. The Member Shop has a Domino DF 500 for shop members’ use. This class will cover:

  • Domino DF 500 design, setup, and operation
  • Mortise and tenon joints both with and without using the Domino Joiner
  • Domino accessories designed to improve efficiency and accuracy 
  • Determining location, size, and number of dominos for several different joint
  • Hands-on use of the Domino Joiner to:
  • Make adjustments to the joiner
  • Change cutters
  • Use the Domino accessories
  • Edge joint long boards
  • Make butt joints on a face frame
  • Make miter joints
  • Make a plywood bookshelf

 

Level: Beginner

Prerequisites: Age >18; 

Format: 1 sessions 4 hours

Project you will make: Joinery and bookshelf

Cost: $95 

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Special Instructions for this class: None

Full refunds: for cancelations more than 14 days in advance or if class is cancelled50% refunds for cancelations more than 7 days in advanceNo refunds for cancelations less than 7 days in advance or for failure to appear.

Introduction to Routers and Router Jigs

Students will learn how to use a router, including hand-held routers and those that are mounted in a router table. You will understand how router jigs can expand the tool's capabilities and will gain suggestions for building your own router jigs. 

Level: Beginner

Prerequisites: Age >18 

Format:  One 2-hour online session, one 1.5-hour in-person session

Cost: $75

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Special Instructions for this class: None

Full refunds for cancelations more than 14 days in advance or if class is cancelled; 50% refunds for cancelations more than 7 days in advance; No refunds for cancelations less than 7 days in advance or for failure to appear.

Epoxy For Woodworkers

Description: This class will provide an overview of epoxy and the various ways it can be used in woodworking projects.  You'll apply this learning to one project: the completion of a river style charcuterie/serving tray.  This class will require students to pour their epoxy and let it harden between classes.  At the end of the class you should have a completed charcuterie/serving tray.

Level: Beginner

Prerequisites: Intro to Woodworking A; Age >18; 

Format: 2 sessions, each 4 hours

Projects you will make: charcuterie/serving tray

Cost: $300 

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Add your name to the class interest list.

Special Instructions for this class: None

Full refunds for cancelations more than 14 days in advance or if class is cancelled; 50% refunds for cancelations more than 7 days in advance; No refunds for cancelations less than 7 days in advance or for failure to appear.

Introduction to SketchUp

Class Description: SketchUp gives you the tools to design in 3D to ensure a successful woodworking project.  In this class, you’ll learn the essentials of drawing in SketchUp, beginning with 2D drawing and progressing to 3D drawing.  Material covered focuses on topics of interest to woodworkers.  The class will conclude with techniques to produce working drawings of a project.

Level: Beginner

Prerequisites: Age >18; 

Format: Five weekly Zoom meetings and Four weekly Q/A sessions.

Cost: $295

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Add your name to the class interest list.

Special Instructions for this class: None

Full refunds for cancelations more than 14 days in advance or if class is cancelled; 50% refunds for cancelations more than 7 days in advance; No refunds for cancelations less than 7 days in advance or for failure to appear.

Build a Small Workbench

Class Description: Many of us do not have access to a workbench at home and this can be quite a challenge. Learn to make this small (8” by 26 1/2”), portable and affordable workbench with a vice. You can clamp it to a sturdy table or a folding bench such as the “Workmate”. You will be surprised how much can be done with this very compact bench. You will leave the class with your own small workbench with a vise included.

Note: You must be a member of the SDFWA SHOP to take this class.

Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites: Age >18; You must be a Member of the SDFWA SHOP

Format: One 5 hour class session.

Cost: $175 .. and have a separate membership to the SDFWA SHOP.

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Special Instructions for this class:  None

Full refunds for cancelations more than 14 days in advance or if class is cancelled50% refunds for cancelations more than 7 days in advanceNo refunds for cancelations less than 7 days in advance or for failure to appear.

Classes not Currently Taught but with Interest Lists

We invite you to add your name to one of our interest lists. 

These classes will be offered once sufficient interest is generated and an instructor is secured.

Whittling

Class Description: This is an overview of whittling and carving, including knife sharpening, four different whittling cuts, responding to the changes in wood grain, and making your own butter knife, stylized fox and stem flowers.

Cost: $195

Class Schedule: Two, 4-hour sessions

Prerequisites: None

Add your name to the class interest list.

Shaker Trays

Description: In this course, students will learn how to create a shaker tray by shaping wood stripes, soaking them in boiling water, bending them to a form, and securing them with copper tacks of the appropriate size for the tray being made. A veneered bottom will be sized to fit inside the bent box form and secured with wood pins. Each participant will complete two trays of different sizes during the class. Finishing will be completed independently by students outside of class.

Cost: $195

Class Schedule: Two, 4-hour sessions

Prerequisites: None

Note: Students who already know marquetry can prepare laminated panels to be used for tray bottoms prior to the class. Students with no marquetry experience will be provided with single wood veneered panels.

Add your name to the class interest list.

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.