As a skilled carpenter, you may be in great demand in your area. However, construction work is often seasonal and closely tied to the economy. Recessions and times of uncertainty could make it harder to fill your schedule and earn a steady income.
Woodworking might be one way to weather these ups and downs. Applying your existing carpentry skills and knowledge to this art might take your business in new directions.
Here are four reasons for professional carpenters to consider taking woodworking classes:
1. Offer new services to your customers
Woodworking is similar to carpentry in some ways, and you might have learned some woodworking skills in carpentry classes or during an apprenticeship. But it really is its own art form. Woodworking classes could help you master the skills needed to build custom furniture and cabinets. This could allow you to offer new services to your existing customers and build more repeat business.
2. To improve your current skills
Even if you don’t plan to offer woodworking services to customers, classes could help you improve your current carpentry skills. Woodworking requires keen attention to detail. You must work cleanly and precisely because the items you make are meant to be seen and used. Unlike rough carpentry, you can’t hide mistakes behind drywall! Woodworking classes might help you view carpentry work in new ways and practice your current skills, making you better at your job.
3. Show off your creativity
Construction is not always the most creative industry for carpenters. Woodworking could be a fun, creative outlet that builds upon skills you already have. There is a wide variety of items that woodworkers can make. Beyond cabinetry and furniture, a woodworker might also create instruments, dishes, sculptures, decorations, and trinkets. These can become wonderful gifts or heirlooms passed down through the generations by your family.
4. Supplement your carpentry income
As we’ve already mentioned, carpentry does not always bring steady employment. Learning woodworking could complement your income when business is slow. There’s a sizable market for custom furniture, handcrafted dishes, decorations, and other items that woodworkers commonly make. These could be sold online, in local retail shops, or at arts and crafts fairs to supplement your carpentry day job.
What will I learn in woodworking classes?
Woodworking classes typically focus on how to select wood for projects, how to use common tools and different techniques for shaping and joining wood. Courses also emphasize safety so that students can avoid injuries. Your instructor will provide many woodworking tips as you learn.
Advanced woodworking classes may focus on making specific items. For example, you might choose a course on furniture making or one for making instruments.
How to Find a Woodworking Class?
Woodworking is a popular hobby, so you should have no trouble finding classes in your area. Like carpentry classes, instruction in woodworking is often offered at community colleges and trade schools and through extended learning programs.
As a professional carpenter, you may be able to skip some introductory classes. Typically, you will need to prove your skill level to the instructor to enroll directly in intermediate or advanced woodworking classes. This might be done by taking a hands-on test or submitting a portfolio of past work.
Woodworking for Carpenters
Many professional tradespeople never stop learning, carpenters included. Woodworking classes could be an excellent way to expand your carpentry skills and create new markets for your small business. It could also become a fun hobby or a way of improving your talents!
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