Woodworking Classes

Pleasant Hill Education Center Wood Shop

Spring 2025 Woodworking Classes
Registration Opens March 12 at 8:00 AM
Spring Session Starts Tuesday, April 1st
(Spring Break April 7th - 14th)

     Register Here

Woodworking - Introduction to Woodworking Part I*

Designed for those with little or limited woodworking experience. Learn the safe and effective use of critical woodworking equipment to build the step stool project. This class is a mandatory prerequisite for other MDAE woodworking classes.

Woodworking - Introduction to Woodworking Part II*

Further develop skills in learned in Woodworking I by building a Shaker-style table. The class will focus on refining your woodworking techniques and accuracy through the use of mortise, tenons, and dovetail joints. This class is a mandatory prerequisite for other MDAE woodworking classes. Students will purchase their own wood. First class is mandatory. Prerequisite: Introduction to Woodworking I at PHEC, no exceptions.

You will be guided through the hand and machine tool processes necessary to build quality furniture reproductions. Lumber to be supplied by the student. You May register for the full 3 hours of class, which includes 2 hours of access to the machinery and teacher support, or register for only the first hour of class, lecture, demonstrations, and discussions. Prerequisite: Introduction to Woodworking I and II at PHEC, no exceptions.

Woodworking III – Hand Tool Skills*

Learn to use common hand tools to prepare dovetails and mortise & tenon joints while building one of two beautiful Shaker trays. Skill-building exercises will help develop your familiarity with dovetail saws, bench planes, and chisels. Additional tools (spokeshaves, block planes, rasps) will also be used for shaping the project contours.  Returning students may choose from several more challenging projects or bring their own project ideas to discuss with the instructor.
Students should bring their project lumber to the first class (project plans will be emailed to enrolled students a week before the first class). Poplar, Sugar Pine, or Cherry recommended. Prerequisite: Introduction to Woodworking I and II at PHEC, no exceptions.

Woodworking – Independent Project Open Shop*

Our well-equipped shop, complete with a wide selection of tools and accessories, allows you to undertake most projects with the expert assistant of woodworking staff. Prerequisite: Introduction to Woodworking I and II at PHEC, no exceptions.

Woodworking – Master Series Projects*

The instructor critiques student-developed designs and discusses and demonstrates critical techniques required to successfully execute the designs. Prerequisite: Master Series Tools and Techniques.

Learn valuable woodworking skills while using the scroll saw to create beautiful projects such as decorative clocks, trivets, compound ornaments, custom signs, fretwork music boxes, etc. Attach patterns to wood and make intricate cut projects. Students will learn to attach patterns to wood and make intricate cut projects that family and friends can use and admire. They will be able to correctly color and finish woodworking gifts. No Prerequisites.

Make a serving tray with shop-made veneers. Topics include making torsion boxes and miniature sawhorses for glue-up, assembling a core, making and working with shop-sawn veneers.

Woodworking - Diablo Woodworkers

Join other woodworkers for a monthly exchange of ideas and information. Guest speakers often demonstrate unique aspects of woodworking. Class alternates between meeting in person and online using Zoom; monthly meet-up locations will be sent prior to meeting. Email David Lipscomb for information: davidlipscombii@comcast.net.