Woodworking Classes

Pleasant Hill Education Center Wood Shop

Summer 2025 Woodworking Classes
Registration Opens Wednesday June 4 at 8:00 AM
Summer Session Starts Tuesday, July 7th

Woodworking - Box Making*

Students will build a small box using a veneered pattern of your own design. The miter box fold design allows the veneer pattern to seamlessly wrap around the box. Lining of your box will also be demonstrated. First class is mandatory. Prerequisite: Introduction to Woodworking Parts I and II at PHEC, no exceptions. $60 material fee payable to instructor in the first class.

Hand Tool Skills - Dovetails*

Considered our Woodworking III class. 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 will furnish their own project lumber by the second class. Poplar, Sugar Pine, or Cherry recommended; no reclaimed wood allowed. 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.

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.

Learn the basics of Windsor chair building by making a bow back. From shaping the seat, to steam-bending the crest rail, to drilling the compound angle holes. We provide the wood and some basic tools. First class is mandatory. Prerequisite: Introduction to Woodworking I and II and Woodturning 101 - Introduction to Woodturning at PHEC, no exceptions.

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.