Learning Carpentry Skills

March 30, 2009 8:49 AM

Please help me learn some carpentry skills.

I live in Toronto. Does anyone know someplace I could volunteer to gain some work experience and some basic woodworking/carpentry skills? Or any programs or anything that they could recommend? I am currently kind of poor and can't take any large programs, but I can take some small courses I could pay for in cash, or can volunteer my time to learn skills on the job. I am looking for the kind of skills to do basic home reno, frame walls, etc. Thank you for any insights.

posted by cascando to education (9 comments total)

I got started volunteering my time with local theatre companies to help build their scenery for shows. It's a great place to get some experience because:

1.) They're generally thrilled to have your help, no matter what your level of expertise
2.) Nothing you build will be seen from less than 30 feet away (the front row of the audience) so you can screw up pretty royally and still be okay with a little wood filler and paint.
3.) You are usually given tickets to the show and get invited to the cast party.
4.) The hours are usually pretty flexible, so you can work around your current schedule.
5.) You're donating your time to a good cause.

The best scenario is if you're working with an experienced technical director/carpenter who's already there, but even if you're mostly on your own, you'll still learn a lot. Highly recommended.
posted by ad_hominem at 8:57 AM on March 30 [2 favorites]

Habitat for Humanity?
posted by yerfatma at 8:58 AM on March 30

Habitat for Humanity - Toronto

posted by hungrysquirrels at 8:59 AM on March 30

Don't know what qualifies as "small courses" but George Brown offers some you might like.

With spring starting, see if your neighbours need a hand on deck/fencing/whatever projects too.
posted by jamesonandwater at 9:27 AM on March 30

You could do carpentry work on a Habitat job site but I wouldn't recommend it as a learning experience. Always an uneven level of talent and experience since the volunteer crews turn over every week or two. You'd could get lucky for 2 weeks and work with some pros and then after a turn-over and you're working with good hearted but untalented people. Here in the states we have community colleges and technical schools that offer carpentry courses at reasonable cost. I don't know if Canada has the same. Many carpenters started out as a 'carpenter's apprentice'. Check the job listings.
posted by birdwatcher at 10:16 AM on March 30

I used to live in an area that had an Adult Education program which included a woodworking class. It was taught in a high school wood shop. The instructor oriented you on each piece of equipment. You brought in all your own raw materials and left with them at the end of class.

This was a wonderful way to get started, and the instructor had pretty much seen and done everything. The class was tuned to the needs of each student. I made furniture. Others made art, tools, and so on.
posted by plinth at 1:01 PM on March 30

Buy an old house. I guarantee you'll learn plenty about renovation projects...

You can learn a lot from the sort of books they sell at Home Depot (or its equivalent).

Are any of your friends doing any home projects? They'd very likely be happy to have some help.
posted by zompist at 3:05 PM on March 30

Carpentry and woodworking are two very different things.
Carpentry is building habitable structures whereas woodworking is building furniture and objects. Some people consider cabinetmaking more of the woodworking vein.
In the US we have community and technical colleges that offer construction technology and woodworking (shop) class. There are also unions that will hire you as a helper and then put you through an apprenticeship program (around 5 years or so). If you are not looking to make a career of it (carpentry is a fantastic career to have, by the way), make sure you take a class instead of trying to pick up skills while volunteering. It is better to have a teacher who is a master than the blind leading the blind, which is sometimes the case in Habitat situations.
Whatever you do, be safe! Wear those safety glasses.
posted by FergieBelle at 5:38 PM on March 30

Lee Valley offers courses.
posted by Taurid at 10:36 PM on March 30