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 

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.

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.





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.





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.