/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>2032681
I consider myself a professional woodworker. I've been woodworking for 11 years at this point, 7 of which have been producing high end furniture and cabinetry.
I started out self taught and also attended a trade school to learn 17th-18th century furniture making.
I don't consider myself a master of my profession, but maybe in another 10 years I'll think differently.

>>1456592
>>1456579
I strongly believe you should only go into any 'artistic' trade if you already have a good aptitude for that kind of work. If you don't have good hand/eye coordination or a good understanding of how materials interact with each other I wouldn't pursue woodworking as a career.

With that said, flyover anon, nice cutting boards. It looks like you have access to some basic tools. If so, try make something beyond your current skill level. A shaker nightstand would be a good start. You need to have a portfolio that you can show to potential employers demonstrating you have ability. Nobody is going to give you a job because you can make cutting boards... unless they own a cutting board making workshop...

Finding someone to take you on as an apprentice or shop hand is pretty unlikely. Most woodworkers and woodshops operate pretty tight profit margins (if any) and they probably can't spare the time to teach someone, but you may get lucky if you look around.

Look for classes or schools in your area where the work the students produce looks intimidating to you. Don't waste your time going to a class to learn how to make a simple box. Save learning all the easy shit at home. Practice different joinery, dovetails, mortise and tenons, mitered joints, housed dovetails, half-lap joints, bridle joints, etc. Practice sawing in a straight line, stopping at a marked depth, etc. Realistically, you probably won't even use half of these joints or techniques in the work you do, but you need to be able to do them when the time comes, and it's VERY important that you're on top of your layout and measuring.

If you have the funds, go to a woodworking school. There are many good ones, but these are some of the best in the USA.

Furniture Institute of Mass.
https://www.furnituremakingclasses.com

North Bennet Street School
https://www.nbss.edu

College of the Redwoods
https://www.redwoods.edu

Krenov School of Fine Furniture
https://thekrenovschool.org

Cont..

Made this whilst at a furniture making school.