Custom Woodworking - Always Learning
Continuing to learn and develop new skills is the most important part of working and growing as a person. Custom woodworking is the vehicle to be always learning, always growing. Woodworking on its own is a huge collection of various skills. Using a variety of tools to create whatever you have in your head requires knowing how to use them all, and in innumerable combinations, to do what is necessary. Creating bespoke furniture involves much more than woodworking skills. You need to learn metal working, handling epoxy, how to use different styles of hardware and a multitude of other skills.
For thousands of years people have advanced technology in all endeavors and tools for making things are definitely no exception. The modern woodworker needs to learn computer design, computer programming, and small amounts of organic chemistry along with their knowledge of wood species, metallurgy and hand tool use and maintenance. If you maintain your own tools and set up your own shop then you also need to know electric motors, circuits, pneumatic systems, and plumbing. And of course, if you run a vehicle to work out of or make deliveries, then you must have a basic understanding of mechanic work. Most furniture makers can’t escape learning to finish at some point as well. Paint and finish is a whole science all on its own that takes many years to master and is constantly evolving.
Coming Soon to a Wood Shop Near You - New Skills!
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Coming Soon to a Wood Shop Near You - New Skills! 🪚🔨
While all these skills may seem impressive to those outside the trades, this list of skills may be intimidating to those of you beginning a new woodworking company. But fear not new woodworker! You have many years to learn all these things. Skills are learned incrementally during each new design project. The more variety of projects you take on, the faster the skills will come to you repertoire. But where do you go to learn new skills?
In the age of information technology, including YouTube, Google searches, Instagram, etc. there are many ways to learn whatever new skills you need. They are also excellent sources of inspiration for new designs. Whatever sources you find, use them to inspire and instruct. If you happen to have local woodworkers in your area ask them for help. This site will have articles will have some instructional articles as well, so come on back!