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Free Course Image Basic Skills in Woodworking

Free online course Basic Skills in Woodworking

Duration of the online course: 4 hours and 47 minutes

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Build real woodworking skills fast with a free online course on safe cuts, sanding, drilling and finishing—ideal for beginners upgrading DIY to pro results.

In this free course, learn about

Woodworking fundamentals: shop setup, materials basics, and how to get started as a beginner
Core shop tools and use-cases (table saw, miter saw, drills/impact driver) and when to choose each
Shop safety principles, especially table saw safety, guards, and common unsafe habits to avoid
Essential cuts and terms: rip vs crosscut, plus 5 must-know woodworking cuts and how to make them
Sanding best practices: random-orbit sander mistakes, sanding uneven joints, and efficient sandpaper folding
Practical sandpaper system: the 3 key grits to own and how to progress through grits effectively
Wood staining basics: purpose of staining, surface prep, and common staining misconceptions/mistakes
Driving screws correctly: preventing splitting, when to drill pilot holes, and drill clutch purpose
Cutting clean holes: 4 methods and limitations (e.g., jigsaw drawbacks) for accuracy and tear-out control
Handling plywood solo: breaking down sheets safely and recommended transport options without a truck
Table saw workflow improvements: crosscut sled purpose and avoiding common table saw setup/usage errors
Glue-up success: better clamping strategy, essential beginner clamps, and 5 tactics for stronger glue-ups
Joinery and panel-making: edge-jointing without a jointer and making panels from multiple boards
Design/CAD basics: SketchUp fundamentals and the main SketchUp versions available on the website

About the free online course

Woodworking can feel intimidating at first: loud machines, unfamiliar terms, and projects that seem to require a fully equipped shop. This free online course was designed to remove that friction and help you build a confident foundation from day one. You will learn how to think like a woodworker, choose practical methods, and develop habits that improve results no matter what tools you have available.

Starting with beginner-friendly guidance, the course focuses on the everyday skills that determine whether your work looks clean and professional. You will strengthen your understanding of measuring, cutting, drilling, and assembling so joints fit better, boards align more easily, and fasteners go in without splitting the wood. You will also learn how to approach common tasks with less frustration, including cutting clean openings, breaking down plywood safely when working alone, and deciding when different tools make the job easier.

Surface preparation and finishing get special attention because they often make or break the final look. You will practice smarter sanding choices, avoid typical random orbit sander mistakes, and learn techniques for handling uneven joints. You will also clarify the purpose of wood staining and how to avoid the misconceptions that cause blotchy or disappointing finishes, giving your projects a more consistent, intentional appearance.

Safety is treated as a skill, not an afterthought. Through real shop scenarios, you will understand safer workflows for the tools most commonly used by beginners, including guidance around table saw setup, blade guards, and the role of jigs like a crosscut sled. The goal is to help you work more comfortably and reduce risky improvisation, even on small weekend projects.

As you progress, you will pick up the language and decision-making that experienced makers use: core workshop concepts, common cuts, essential clamp strategies, and simple planning with easy-to-apply design tools. By the end, you will be better prepared to start building practical projects, communicate clearly about techniques, and keep improving with a repeatable process that fits both DIY and professional skills growth.

Course content

Video class: A Total Beginner's Guide to Woodworking 13m
Exercise: _What is the channel Woodworking for Mere Mortals dedicated to?
Video class: 18 things every beginning woodworker should know 09m
Exercise: _What is the core tool of most woodworkers' shops?
Video class: Don't make these 5 mistakes with a random orbit sander. 06m
Exercise: _What is the correct way to sand uneven joints in woodworking?

Video class: Biggest wood staining mistakes and misconceptions | Wood staining BASICS 07m
Exercise: _What is the purpose of staining wood in woodworking?
Video class: HOW TO DRIVE SCREWS (without splitting wood!) | Woodworking BASICS 02m
Exercise: _When should you drill a pilot hole before driving a screw into wood?
Video class: How to Cut Perfect Holes: 4 Methods 07m
Exercise: _What is the biggest drawback of using a jigsaw to cut a hole?

Video class: 6 Keys to Shop Safety | WOODWORKING BASICS 09m
Exercise: What is a key safety tip for working with a table saw?
Video class: 5 Woodworking Cuts You Need to Know How to Make | WOODWORKING BASICS 13m
Exercise: _What is the most common cut in woodworking that can be made with any saw?
Video class: How to break down plywood. A guide to cutting, moving and hauling plywood by yourself. 07m
Exercise: _What is the recommended method for transporting a 3/4 inch sheet of plywood if you don't have your own truck?

Video class: What Can You Do With a Miter Saw? Should You Get One? | WOODWORKING BASICS 14m
Exercise: _What is the recommended size for a miter saw for a weekend woodworker?
Video class: How to Use a Power Drill and Impact Driver | WOODWORKING BASICS 14m
Exercise: _What is the purpose of the clutch in a drill?
Video class: 6 common things you might be doing wrong with your table saw 06m
Exercise: _What is the purpose of a crosscut sled when using a table saw?

Video class: Why do so many people remove their tablesaw blade guards? 07m
Exercise: _What is the main purpose of a blade guard on a table saw, according to Steve Ramsey?
Video class: The Only 3 Sandpapers You Really Need | SANDING BASICS 09m
Exercise: _What are the three grades of sandpaper recommended by Steve Ramsey for woodworking?
Video class: How to cut and fold sandpaper | Mere Mini 01m
Exercise: _What is the benefit of folding sandpaper in a specific way before sanding?

Video class: Should you let people borrow your tools? 8 ways to get more out of woodworking. 11m
Exercise: _What is a common response from woodworkers when asked what gives them the most joy from woodworking?
Video class: 8 ways to use a miter saw like a pro 07m
Exercise: _What is the number one way to make your miter saw more efficient?
Video class: Are CNC machines cheating? What about pocket holes? 10m
Exercise: _Which woodworking techniques are considered cheating by some woodworkers?

Video class: How many clamps do you REALLY need? Woodworking basics. 07m
Exercise: What is considered an essential set of clamps for a beginner woodworker?
Video class: 9 Woodworking terms you need to know 05m
Exercise: _What is a rip cut in woodworking?
Video class: A step-by-step guide to making your first table saw cuts. TABLESAW BASICS. 13m

Video class: 5 tips for better glue-ups. 08m
Exercise: _What is sizing in woodworking?
Video class: Sketchup BASICS for woodworkers. Follow along. | LOCKDOWN DAY 46 1h22m
Exercise: _What are the three different versions of Sketchup that you can find on the Sketchup website?
Video class: How to edge joint boards (without a jointer) to make wide panels | LOCKDOWN Day 143 11m
Exercise: _What is the term used for a wide board that is made up of smaller boards in woodworking?