This class will cover woodworking procedures for planing, sawing, squaring, boring, and joining using only hand tools. Students will learn “old time craftsperson” techniques to build two essential woodworking tools, construct mortise and tenon joints, and develop a deeper understanding of wood features such as grain direction and hardness. Discover the essence of woodworking in the quiet environment of the hand workshop. Instructor has years of experience as a builder and high school/college woodworking instructor.

Taking the Intro to Woodworking machine-based course first is recommended for those with little experience.

Saturdays 9:15am – 11:45am
April 29 through June 3

6 sessions – 15 hours, Fee $300; Project materials are included in the course fee.

Scholarship support is available   email: [email protected]

Class limited to 7 adults (age 18+) Location: MakerSpace Classroom at Vashon Tool Library (Open Space)

Wearing masks is encouraged. N95 mask is recommended

For more information or to register for this class email to:

[email protected] – Please use subject line: Hand tools class

Learn to carve a kitchen spoon from green, unseasoned wood using a few simple hand tools. The instructor will demonstrate the process of making a spoon from raw wood to rough blank to finished product and guide you through the process from a prepared blank. This one-day class runs 9:00am – 4:00pm, with a one hour break for lunch (BYOL).

Class fee – $85, Materials fee – $5,  Students must be 18+

Instructor Brendan McGarry has been an artist and naturalist all his life but first discovered spoon carving in 2017 while studying for a Master’s in Environmental Education.  He views spoon carving as a way of connecting to nature and place and has fallen deep into carving spoons and other forms of green woodworking since that introduction. You can follow his various woodworking journeys @thenorthernshoveler on Instagram. 

Scholarships are available and donations to our scholarship fund are most appreciated.

For any questions, please email [email protected]

This hands-on class will cover basic woodworking techniques and safe operation of commonly used portable and stationary power tools. Students will learn steps of woodworking procedure, cost estimation, planing, jointing, ripping, crosscutting, and dado joint construction. Related topics will include hardware and fastener applications. Students will construct a step stool, plant stand, or similar item. Instructors have years of experience as builders and high school woodworking teachers

Mondays  6:15 – 8:45

Six Sessions: January 23rd to March 6th

(No class week of February 20^th)

6 sessions – 15 hours, Fee $225 + $15 materials;

Scholarship support is available (email: [email protected])

Class limited to 6 adults (age 18+), Location: Vashon High School Woodshop

Wearing of masks is encouraged. N95 mask is recommended

For more information for this class email to:

[email protected] – Please use subject line: Intro Woodworking class

Students will build a medium size classic six board chest using basic cabinet case construction techniques.
Basic woodworking processes and safe operation of commonly used portable and stationary power tools taught in our introductory course will be reviewed.
Please note: This is not a beginning level class.

Project materials are in addition to the course fee.

Instructors have years of experience as builders and high school & college woodworking instructors

Wednesday evenings 6:15 – 8:45

January 25th to March 8^th (No class week of February 20^th)

6 sessions – 15 hours, Fee $225 + $30 materials

Scholarship support is available (email: [email protected] )

Class limited to 6 adults (age 18+), Location: Vashon High School Woodshop

Wearing of masks is encouraged. N95 mask is recommended             

For more information for this class email to: 

[email protected] – Please use subject line: 6 Board Chest class