How to learn basic carpentry?

January 13, 2006 5:40 PM

I want to learn some basic carpentry. Preferably through a class so I can get some hands on training. I know next to nothing about carpentry, never even had a shop class. Does anyone know of carpentry classes or schools in NY?
posted by bingwah to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

If you are looking for bare bone basics, just volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity work site for a few days.
posted by 517 at 6:01 PM on January 13, 2006

Or if you are interested more in small scale kind of stuff, you might check out Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking from the local library. I have heard good things about programs at the Rochester Institute for Technology School for American Crafts (http://www.rit.edu/~652www/) if that is in your neck of the woods. Good luck - watch those thumbs.
posted by jmgorman at 7:45 PM on January 13, 2006 [1 favorite]

Alternately, volunteer for a small theatre company. As long as you catch on quickly, they can always use more hands in the shop.
posted by youcancallmeal at 7:46 PM on January 13, 2006

Community colleges or continuing ed often offer classes for cheap or free.
posted by moira at 12:56 PM on January 14, 2006

What do you want to learn how to do?

There is are differences between learning to frame a house and build a cabinet.

If it's framing a house, I'd suggest seeing what you can pick up from Habitat for Humanity. If it's doing finish work, like bookshelves, cabinets, dressers, etc, see about continuing ed.
posted by Good Brain at 5:46 PM on January 15, 2006

Do a search for "Adult Education" courses. Most vocational schools have them after regular school hours (or at least five of the ones near me in Central Massachusetts do).
posted by inthe80s at 9:29 AM on January 17, 2006