Woodworking
Woodworking Basics: Prepping Lumber for Projects
Learn how to “read a board” and prepare it for use in your woodworking projects.
Policies and Tuition Assistance
Meeting Times
- Tue, 1/7/2025 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Tue, 1/7/2025
Waitlist
About
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, learn:
- Why wood cups, twists, and bows, and what to pay attention to when selecting 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're 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.
This class is a component of BARN's Woodworking Basics Certificate program, which includes 14 classes and a mentored final project. Learn more »
You do not need to be a certificate student to take this class.
Materials
A $25 materials fee, included in the class fee, covers all the materials you will need.
Prerequisites
Class Policies
- Ages 14 and up are welcome.
- 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.
BARN Policies
- View BARN's Cancellation and Refund Policy.
- Tuition Assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.
- BARN is committed to accessibility. We try to make accommodations when requested; the earlier you contact us, the more likely we can help. Please email accessibility@bainbridgebarn.org to find out more or request an accommodation.
- Sensory Statement: Makerspaces like BARN can be noisy and cluttered, smell strongly, and have bright or flickering lights. BARN is not an allergen-free facility. If you have concerns, please email info@bainbridgebarn.org.
Instructors or Guides
Mike Gearheard
Mike grew up in Seattle, graduated from the University of Washington, and served three years in the Peace Corps in Nepal. He worked for the Environmental Protection Agency for 33 years. Mike has lived on Bainbridge Island since 1988 and enjoys exploring the Olympics with his fly rod. He is a self-taught woodworker and boat builder. Mike and his wife, Billee, are committed to making BARN a thriving community resource.
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