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 here.

• Liability Waivers plus Equipment Operation and Safety Training should be completed before the start of class. 

• To apply for tuition assistance from the Master Class Scholarship Program, click here for an Application Form.

2024 Class Schedule

Thursday Fundamentals Workshop

Every Thursday Evening
5:00pm-8:00pm
Cost Free

Join us every Thursday evening from 5:00pm to 8:00pm for a Woodworking Fundamentals Workshop. On the first and third Thursday each month we will cover a different topic related to woodworking, from sharpening blades, table saw techniques, panel glue-ups, resawing on the bandsaw, etc. You can also get your questions answered related to your current project.

The Hand Tool Workshop overlaps part of this time slot. If you have an interest in working with traditional tools and techniques we encourage you to come early and get involved with that group as well.

On Thursdays other than the first and third Thursdays this will be conducted as a workshop where you can bring your personal projects and we can use those as examples while learning as a group.

We encourage members of the Hand Tool Workshop to use this time to continue working on hand tool projects as well. Hopefully Guild members who work will be able to continue their project work later into the evening than the official Hand Tool Group hours

Topics for the week can be found on the website's calendar under each Thursday.

The cost is free unless noted on the calendar for a special project that requires an additional material fee.

Though not required, if you plan on attending a Thursday night class it would be helpful for planning if you could send an email to education@alabamawoodworkersguild.org and just let us know you plan to show up.

Cam Clamp Class with Van Phillips

Saturday, January 13th, 2024, 9:00am-4:00pm
Instructor - Van Phillips
Cost $30.00
Class size is limited to 8 participants.
Class Full
Participants will make (6) 8” Cam Clamps.
The cam clamps we will be making consist of two 8” pieces of wood and a ¼” aluminum bar. One piece is fixed to the bar and the other piece has a tongue along its length which is moved with a cam to apply pressure. This piece slides along the bar.
Cam clamps are used extensively in luthier work but are also great when you need to reach deeper than most “C” clamps. Although they apply lighter pressure than most other clamps (I measured around 40 lbs), that is still sufficient for most glue ups.
Participants will leave with working clamps and templates for making additional clamps if they desire.
Class Full

Participants must be signed off on the Table and Dado saw, Drill Press, and Belt Sander prior to class.
Class is limited to 8 people.

Cutting Board Class with Eddie Heerten

Saturday, January 27th, 2024, Beginning at 9:00am
Sunday, January 28th, 2024, Beginning at 1:00pm
Sunday, February 4th, 2024, Beginning at 1:00pm
Instructor - Eddie Heerten
Cost $50.00
Class size is limited to 6 participants.
Class Full

Description: This is a build it class where we will make an end grain cutting board.

Participants must supply the following:
1) One piece of Maple 36" x 6" x 1"
2) One piece of Cherry 36" x 6" x 1"
3) One piece of Walnut 36" x 4" x 1"

Participants must be signed off on the jointer, planer, table saw, band saw, drum sander, and router table.
The photos are similar to what you will build.

Intarsia Class with Chris Hutto

Saturday, February 10th, 2024, 9:00am-1:00pm
Instructor - Chris Hutto
Cost $25.00
Class size is limited to 6 participants.
Class Full

Chris Hutto will conduct a “hands on” Intarsia class for those interested in this unique
woodworking skill. Each participant will lay out, cut, and sculpt their own project. The
class will cover pattern selection, material selection, grain orientation, scroll saw
techniques, sculpting or shaping, and finishing. Due to the time required for drying, the
participants will finish their project at home.
The class is open to all AWG members who are signed off on and are comfortable
working with the scroll saw. Expert scroll saw use is not required. We expect the class
to last about 4 hours and all materials will be furnished. Due to the limited number of
Class Full

Participants must be signed off on the Scroll Saw prior to class.
Class is limited to 6 people.

Modern Joinery Class with Marty Schlosser

Saturday, March 9th, 2024, 9:00am-4:00pm and
Sunday, March 10th, 2024, 9:00am-1:00pm
Instructor - Marty Schlosser
Cost - AWG members and members of other woodworking guilds $150, Non-Members $225 ($75 can be applied to Guild membership)
Class size is limited to 16 participants.
Class Full

Modern Joinery - A Workshop Focusing on Quick and Effective Mortising

Overview. Of all the topics woodworkers agree upon, one stands out above the rest: mortise and tenon joints are the most widely used woodworking joint. These joints are strong and long lasting… but for many they’re time consuming to make and require finicky hand fitting to get just right. This needn’t be so. That is, if you know how to use one of Festool's Domino mortising machines, or Lamello's biscuit joining systems.
What will be covered:
In this one and a half-day, hands-on workshop, I’ll show you why these joinery machines have become so popular with cabinet and furniture makers, worldwide. You’ll discover why and when you should use them over other, more traditional mortise and tenon joinery systems. We’ll start first with the basics, then go deeply into advanced procedures. We’ll be using jigs to facilitate their system's usefulness and precision – in ways that go far beyond straight-line joinery. Throughout the class, there would be much hands-on use of these two systems. I’ll follow the time-proven training method of:
1. explaining what to do;
2. showing you how; then,
3. having you do it yourself.

What You’ll be Taking Home. They say that knowledge is power, so you’ll be taking home plenty of modern joinery knowledge with you. You’ll learn about the various knock-down hardware items now available on the market; how best to keep errors from creeping in; and, how to stay out of trouble when it comes time to glue up cabinetry and furniture pieces. In addition, everyone will be making something they can take home and use: a stool with a built-in storage box.
Class Full

Participants must be proficient with the use of the table saw and router.
Class is limited to 16 people.

Marty Schlosser

Pen Turning Class with Cliff Daniels

Saturday, April 27th, 2024, 9:00am-4:00pm
Instructor - Cliff Daniels
Cost $70.00
Class size is limited to 6 participants.
Class Registration Closed
This is a hands on pen turning class. Participants will be provided a pen mandrel, a pen kit, a pen bushing, and a drill bit. You must have turning experience and bring your own tools to the class. Cliff will furnish pen blanks, sanding strips, finish, glue, an assembly vise, and several other small items. You will go home with the above four items and a pen you have turned. This is a fun class and you are sure to learn a lot. The class will be limited to 6 participants.
Class Registration Closed
Participants must be signed off on the Lathe prior to class.
Class is limited to 6 people.

Beginning Intarsia Class with David Robinson

Saturday, May 4th, 2024, 9:00am-4:00pm
Instructor - David Robinson
Cost $35.00
Class size is limited to 5 participants.
Class Full

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.
It is not a requisite but if you have a scroll saw and/or a Dremel tool please bring them with you to class as the WEC has 3 scrolls saws.
The class will be limited to 5 participants.
Class Full

Participants must be certified and have a working knowledge of the scroll saw, drill press, and sanding machines in the WEC.
Class is limited to 5 people.

The Art of Making a Segmented Christmas Ornament with Dwight Hostetter

Saturday, May 25th, 2024, 9:00am-4:00pm, and May 26th(TBD)
Instructor - Dwight Hostetter
Cost $60.00
Class size is limited to 4 participants.
Class Full
This class is to learn how to go about making a segmented Christmas ornament. The class is for Intermediate to Advanced wood turners. This class is for someone who is familiar with using the wood lathe and in using various wood turning chisels and associated tools. It is not to teach basic lathe operation and turning techniques. The class will entail using the table saw, a bandsaw or jigsaw, the disc sander, and of course the lathe. Participants should be signed off on the WEC criteria for using this equipment before class begins.

The class will entail how to choose and mill the various parts for the ornament and the construction of the ornament. All the wood for the ornament will be provided as well as dyed veneer, glue, sanding paper, steel wool, wood wax and hose clamps to assemble the segments. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lathe tools if they have any since the guild’s tools may not meet their needs. This includes lathe chisels, face shields or safety glasses and four jawed chucks. Finishing material such as spray lacquer will be provided if permitted by the guild.

The class will require at least 2 or three sessions to allow the wood glue to cure between the various steps. Participants are welcome to take the incomplete project home to work on it between sessions. The general style of ornament that the participants will be making is shown in the attached pictures.

Class size: limited to 4 participants
Materials: Materials will be furnished by the instructor.
Class Full
Participants must be certified and have a working knowledge of the table saw, band saw or jigsaw, disc sander, and lathe in the WEC.
Class is limited to 4 people.

Introduction to Scrolling with Linda Simcik

Saturday, June 1st, 2024, 9:00am-12:00pm and
Saturday, June 1st, 2024, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Instructor - Linda Simcik
Cost - $25.00
Each Class size is limited to 3 participants. There are 2 classes to pick from, but they are identical classes, just different times.
Class Full
A scroll saw project is one of the most pleasurable to create. The 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.

There will be two sessions with 3 participants each. You will leave with at least one completed project.

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

Instructor will furnish all materials.
Class Full
Each Class is limited to 3 people.

Habitat for Humanity Cabinet Build Class

August 24th, 2024
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 24, 2024 - Orientation and Face Frame Build
Class 2 - September 14, 2024 - Drawer Boxes
Class 3 - September 28, 2024 and September 24, 2024 - Doors and Drawer Fronts
Class 4 - October 12, 2024 - Carcass Construction
Class 5 - October 26, 2024 - Spray Finish
Class 6 - November 9, 2024 - 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.