Skip to Content

Woodworking Basics: Prepping Lumber for Projects

Learn how to "read a board" and prepare it for use in your woodworking projects.

Add to calendar:
Outlook Google Agenda
Woodworking Basics: Prepping Lumber for Projects

Woodworking Basics: Prepping Lumber for Projects

Learn how to "read a board" and prepare it for use in your woodworking projects.

Pricing
  • Certificate Program Registrant Only
    Current Woodworking Certificate Program Registrants only.
    $ 0.00
  • Member Registration
    $ 131.00
  • Guest Registration
    $ 157.00
Tuition Assistance and Policies
See more
Cancellation & Other Policies
See more

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, you'll 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.

Prerequisites

Materials

  • A materials fee of $25, included in the price of the class, covers all materials needed.

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.
Instructor
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.

Related Events

Check out other events you might be interested in!

See All
Woodworking Tool Safety Checkout 2
Woodworking Tool Safety Checkout 2

Get checked out on the Woodworking Studio's major power tools not covered in the Tool Safety Checkout 1 class.

December 21, 2026

Woodworking Tool Safety Checkout 1
Woodworking Tool Safety Checkout 1

Learn the basic safety principles of five key tools in the woodworking shop.

December 17, 2026

Orientation to the Woodworking Studio
Orientation to the Woodworking Studio

This introduction is required for anyone who wants to work in the Woodworking & Small Boatbuilding Studio.

December 16, 2026

-*