Education and Classes

Please note:

  • You must be a Guild member in good standing to attend classes.
  • Members of other recognized Woodworking Groups or Guilds will be considered Members for purpose of class registration.
  • Non-members may join now.   Join Now
  • Liability Waivers plus Equipment Operation and Safety Training should be completed before the start of class.
  • You may apply for tuition assistance from the Master Class Scholarship Program.   Application Form

2025 Class Schedule

 

Introduction to Laser Software and Hardware
Instructor: Henry Raymond
Date: January 18th, 2025
Time: 12:30pm-3:00pm   After General Membership Meeting

Description:

This class will be open to anyone that is interested in what it takes to operate the laser and what a CO2 laser can do.  We will cover the basic software and hardware of a laser.
There are no prerequisites for this class.  It is an informative class only, however we will design and cut a small trinket as a part of the class.
This class will last an estimated 2-3 hrs.
This class will not certify you as an approved used of the laser.
Class is limited to 15 persons.

The fee for the class is $25. You must be a member in good standing to attend.
You may pay using the PayPal button below to reserve your place in the class. Please respond via email at education@alabamawoodworkersguild.org with your name if you plan to take the class.




Intermediate Laser Operator Class
Instructor: Henry Raymond
Date: January 25th, 2025
Time: 9:00am-2:00pm 

Class FULL

Description:
This class will be open to anyone that has used and is familiar with CAD/CAM software. A prerequisite for this class will be proving your knowledge of design software by presenting several “ from scratch” designs you have completed. They must be proficient in CAD/CAM.

We will cover what a CO2 laser can and can't do, as well as what materials are safe to laser. This class will discuss developing drawings in Lightburn, importing SVG type files into Lightburn, Lightburn hot keys and functions, and developing burn parameters for laser. Using layers for different “tool paths” will also be covered. We will also cover the process for set up and steps necessary to use laser. Successful completion will be when the operator has demonstrated proper and safe operation of the laser under supervision. Those that successfully complete this class will receive the “I” Intermediate rating and will be allowed to use laser with minimum interaction from an approved laser operator. This is the first step to becoming an advanced laser operator.

Requirements:

You must have a laptop that meets the following:
Operating system: 64-bit Windows 7.0 or later, macOS 10.13 or later, or 64-bit Ubuntu Linux 20.04 or later A SSD is recommended but not required.
You must watch several YOUTUBE videos prior to class. A link will be sent to those signed up.
You must purchase a copy of Lightburn if you don't already have one, and have it installed on your laptop prior to attending class.
This is not a subscription, and can be used indefinitely.
You will be provided with a 75% discount for Lightburn Pro after you register for the class.

Cost of this class will be $50.
Class will be limited to 10 persons.

Class FULL

Beginning Laser Software Class
Instructor: Henry Raymond
Date: February 1st, 2025
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm 


Description:
This class will concentrate on the software necessary to design a project, and assign burn patterns to the project to get the desired results.

AWG members get a 75% discount (your cost is $50) on the software when taking a laser class. Those who sign up for class will be given a link for the software and you can purchase and download software before the class. Lightburn also has a free trail that you can use for 30 days. It’s a fully functional free trial however you must have Lightburn up and running at the time of class.

After you have paid for the class please contact Henry Raymond (205) 602-7661 and he will walk you through the set up of Lightburn on your computer. You will also be asked to watch several starter videos on the software, and practice using software to draw a project prior to the class.

Requirements:
You must have a laptop that meets the following requirements:
Operating system: 64-bit Windows 7.0 or later, macOS 10.13 or later, or 64-bit Ubuntu Linux 20.04 or later. A SSD is recommended but not required.
You must watch several YOUTUBE videos prior to class. A link will be sent to those signed up.
You must purchase a copy of Lightburn if you don't already have one, and have it installed on your laptop prior to attending class.
This is not a subscription, and can be used indefinitely.

Estimated class time will be 3-4 hrs.

Those that successfully complete this class will then be eligible to take the intermediate laser operator class. In order to graduate from the Beginner Level, you must be able to create a project in LightBurn that will successfully function on the Laser.

Cost of this class will be $50 and this is in addition to the purchase of the software.
Class will be limited to 10 persons.

The fee for the class is $50. You must be a member in good standing to attend.
You may pay using the PayPal button below to reserve your place in the class. Please respond via email at education@alabamawoodworkersguild.org with your name if you plan to take the class.





Introduction to Computer Aided Design(CAD)
Instructor: Gary Click
Date: February 15th, 2025
Time: 11:00-3:00 (After Guild Meeting)
Description:

I would be pleased and honored to instruct our members in the fundamentals and the secrets of how to produce an engineering CAD drawing from the sketch - to the model - through to an output file to drive a CNC machine.

The software of choice this class would be DesignSpark Mechanical-Explorer - https://us.rs-online.com/designsparkmechanical. I have used this package15 years – no selling of email lists, grifts, spam, etc.. We will use the Free Explorer Package accessible for download at - CAD Software | Free CAD Design & 3D Modelling Software | DesignSpark. Attendees should register with RS before the class. We will likely download the package at the start of the class.

Possession of a registered, working copy of this program on a notebook to be used in the course will be a basic requirement to take this class ALONG WITH A WORKING MOUSE OR TRACKBALL. The Explorer software while FREE does require a Floating License issued at registration to even run locally. The computer to be used MUST login one time to the DS Serve anytime the software is started. The software may be run on multiple computers under the same license but on only one computer at a time, Accordingly, any computer used in the class must be able to login the WEC Network.

Class Structure

1) Where did CAD - Computer Aided Design (not as some believe Cardboard Aided Design) come from.
2) How do you start. Sounds simple but getting the first line on a screen seems to be a big hurtle for most.
3) Points, Lines, Circles eventually make everything.
4) Developing PLC’s into 2d Sketches.
5) Evolving 2D sketches into 3d Solids.
6) Making 3d Solids into 3D Models.
7) Manipulating 3D Models into dreams.
8) Outputting 3D Models into real parts.

Obviously, this can be a huge amount of ground to cover. The basic intro could be 3-4 hours and the rest could be days, weeks or months. I am willing to stay the course for several months as long as there is an interest and progress.
Class Fee: $25
Class Size: 8

The fee for the class is $25. You must be a member in good standing to attend.
You may pay using the PayPal button below to reserve your place in the class. Please respond via email at education@alabamawoodworkersguild.org with your name if you plan to take the class.





Basic Wood Finishing
Instructor: Dean Mahaffey
Date: March 8, 2025
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Format: Lecture/Demo
Class Fee: $25
Class limited to 12 persons

Class FULL

Class Description:
The class will cover the following areas:

1. Wood Technology
Wood types, domestic/imported, board feet/costs, heartwood/sapwood, open/closed pore, kiln vs. air dry, quarter/flat/rift sawn, man-made, hardness
2. Repairing Wood Imperfections
Dents, Wood Putty, Epoxy
3. Wood Smoothing
Hand scraping, sanding, scratches, abrasives, hand sand{manual), machine, residual glue, caution-dust collection
4. Pre-Finish Preparation
Open-pore fillers, pre-stain conditioners, sanding sealers for top coats,
5. Penetrating Finishes
Pure tung oil, pure linseed oil, Danish oils. Teak oils, hard wax oils,
6. Coloring Wood
Dye vs. pigment, pigment/stain, pre-mixed dyes,
7. Common Topcoats
Shellac, lacquer, varnish, polyurethanes

Dean Mahaffey is the manager of the Woodcraft store in Pelham. He is looking forward to sharing his years of woodworking knowledge specifically finishing with our Guild members. He is planning on covering a wide variety of topics for woodworkers of all skill levels from beginner to experts. Additionally, Dean is bringing a representative from the Old Masters line of finishes. Come and learn something new!

Class FULL

The fee for the class is $25. You must be a member in good standing to attend.

Introduction to Scrolling
Instructor: Linda Simcik
Date: March 22, 2025
Time: 9:00-4:00

Class FULL

Description:
A scroll saw project is one of the most pleasurable to create. The scroll saw allows you to cut different shapes and patterns out of wood. You can make toys, decorative items, quick and unique gifts or embellishments for other woodworking projects. This class will cover wood selection and preparation, pattern selection, blades, cutting, and finishing.

All materials will be provided, each student will leave with two completed projects, a dozen blades and any leftover wood.

You must be signed off on the scroll saw and drill press.

Class is limited to 3 people
Class cost: $65

Class FULL

The fee for the class is $65. You must be a member in good standing to attend.

Beginning Intarsia Class(11 piece fish)
Instructor: David Robinson
Date:  April 26, 2025
Time:  9:00AM-5:00PM
Cost:  $35
Class is limited to 3 participants.

Description:
In this class you will cut out 11 pieces on the scroll saw, shape the pieces with sanders and a Dremel tool(or equivalent piece of equipment), fit the pieces together, and glue the pieces together and to a backer board.  10 of the 11 pieces will be cut from the same piece of wood.  The eye will be of a different piece of wood. All materials will be furnished.

Participants must be certified and have a working knowledge of the scroll saw, drill press, and sanding machines in the WEC. If possible, the participants should take the Introduction to Scrolling class or equivalent amount of practice using the scroll saw to cut out patterned pieces.

The fee for the class is $35. You must be a member in good standing to attend.
You may pay using the PayPal button below to reserve your place in the class. Please respond via email at education@alabamawoodworkersguild.org with your name if you plan to take the class.





Habitat for Humanity Cabinet Build Class
August 23th, 2025
9:00am-4:00pm
Cost $100.00

Each year the Guild builds kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities for a Habitat for Humanity Holiday House. This class will take you through the complete steps of building cabinets, from face frames, carcass construction, doors, dovetailed drawers, finishing, and installation in the home. You work in teams of 4-5 people and everyone gets to do every step of the project. Starting the end of August and finishing with installation mid December, the class will meet once or twice a month to complete the cabinets.

Class 1 - August 23, 2025 - Orientation and Face Frame Build
Class 2 - September 13, 2025 - Drawer Boxes
Class 3 - September 27, 2025 - Doors and Drawer Fronts
Class 4 - October 11, 2025 - Carcass Construction
Class 5 - October 25, 2025 - Spray Finish
Class 6 - November 8, 2025 - Attach Doors, Drawers, and Pulls
Class 7 - Early December - Installation of Cabinets at Holiday House
Class 8 - TBD - Holiday House Dedication

The fee for the class is $100. You must be a member in good standing to attend.
You may pay using the PayPal button below to reserve your place in the class. Please respond via email at education@alabamawoodworkersguild.org with your name if you plan to take the class.