What is it?

• There is a wide range of wood working crafts, ranging from carpentry and cabinet making, to carving and marquetry.  

• Some, like furniture restoring, may involve working in materials other than wood as well (e.g. upholstery of chairs, sofas etc).  

• Many of these activities involve the production or restoration of furniture and other articles for use in the home.  

• But some, like carving, may be done simply as a creative craft.  

Find out more

Organisations

Guild of Master Craftsmen  01273 478449

Woodworking on the Web  www.woodworking.co.uk/

Woodworking Tips - online information
http://woodworking.articles24x7.com/

Magazines

Furniture & Cabinetmaking 
Good Woodworking 
The Woodworker 
Woodworking 

Getting started

• Find a local wood working or antique restoration group or club (see organisations above).

• Take a class or course at your local adult education centre.

• Consult books or magazines on different types of wood working.

• Check in your local library/paper or DIY or education centre for more information.

What you need

Skills and people

• All wood working involves a degree of skill and knowledge, but it is not difficult to learn and can be done by people of all ages and both sexes. 

• Many people do their wood working at home on their own.  

• But some join groups, often based on classes, in order to learn and to share skills and enthusiasms.

Equipment or clothing

• The wood or other material or products on which to work are essential together with basic tools and materials for cutting, shaping and finishing.  

• These items may be provided at classes and other workshops where you do the activity.

• For furniture restoring you need to find some old furniture.  This can often be obtained quite cheaply, for example in second hand stores.

A place or facilities

• Many wood working activities, notably carpentry and furniture restoring can be, and are done at home.  

• Classes and other groups may use specially equipped workshops in schools or colleges.