Duration of the online course: 11 hours and 5 minutes
New
Build real woodworking skills fast with a free online course: master saws, routers, measuring, safety, and projects that boost confidence and career potential.
In this free course, learn about
Selecting and safely using core power tools: circular saw, drill, router, jigsaw, sanders
Why brad point bits excel for clean, accurate holes in wood
Essential hand tools, incl. flush-cut/dovetail saw with ultra-thin kerf for fine cuts
Clamp types and why bar/F-style clamps are a cost-effective beginner choice
Measuring/layout tools, including using calipers to check thickness/diameter
Shop safety gear choices, incl. full-face protection for dust/lathe work
Building torsion-box/outfeed tables: purpose, flatness/rigidity, and unique assembly methods
Why solid wood can be advantageous for durable shop projects
Vise installation details, like leather-lined jaws to improve grip and prevent marring
Building an efficient miter station: space-saving saw features, fences, cabinets, drawers
Dovetail joinery and using a dovetail jig for strong, repeatable drawer construction
Lacquer finishing basics and benefits (fast drying, easy to build smooth coats)
SketchUp basics for furniture design and workflow advantages of SketchUp Make 2017
Outdoor builds and business basics: wood choices, panel glue-ups, minimal-tool project strategy
About the free online course
Turn raw boards into clean, accurate projects you can be proud of. This free online woodworking course is designed to help you build strong fundamentals without guesswork, whether you are setting up a first shop, refreshing rusty skills, or aiming to turn a practical hobby into a professional advantage. You will learn how to choose and use essential tools with more confidence, work more precisely, and avoid common mistakes that waste time and materials.
The course starts with core shop tools and how they fit into real workflows. You will get grounded in the roles of the circular saw, drill, router, jigsaw, sanders, and key hand tools, along with the everyday clamps and layout gear that make joinery and assembly far more accurate. You will also develop smarter habits for measurement and marking so parts fit the way you intended, which is the difference between woodworking that feels frustrating and woodworking that feels repeatable.
Safety is treated as a foundation, not an afterthought. You will learn how to protect your eyes and lungs, control dust, and set up your workspace so tool use feels deliberate and stable. These practices help you work longer, cleaner, and with fewer setbacks, especially as projects become larger and more complex.
From there, the learning shifts into building and making. You will see how sturdy shop fixtures come together, including a flat torsion-box style outfeed/assembly surface and a miter station concept that supports accurate cutting and efficient space use. As the projects progress, you will also encounter finishing considerations, like why lacquer can be a smart option when you want speed and a durable surface, plus practical shop upgrades such as vise jaw liners that improve grip without damaging your work.
To connect hand skills with planning, you will also explore digital design with SketchUp, translating a furniture idea into a clear model you can adjust before cutting any wood. Finally, you will branch into useful, real-world builds from seating and small outdoor additions to functional home projects, while also getting perspective on making money with woodworking by choosing approachable, sellable projects that do not require a huge tool collection. By the end, you will have a clearer understanding of tools, technique, and process so you can tackle new builds with confidence and consistency.
Course content
Video class: 54 - Woodworking 101 FREE ONLINE COURSE LESSON 1 Part 1 of 8 The Circular Saw15m
Exercise: What is an important feature to check when purchasing a circular saw for woodworking?
Video class: 55 - Woodworking 101 FREE ONLINE COURSE LESSON 1 Part 2 of 8 The Drill16m
Exercise: What is a key advantage of using a brad point drill bit in woodworking?
Video class: 56 - Woodworking 101 FREE ONLINE COURSE LESSON 1 Part 3 of 8 The Router19m
Exercise: Which woodworking tool is considered the most versatile and discussed in the initial lesson of the woodworking course?
Video class: 57 - Woodworking 101 FREE ONLINE COURSE LESSON 1 Part 4 of 8 Jigsaw and Sanders12m
Exercise: What is the primary purpose of a jigsaw in woodworking?
Video class: 58 - Woodworking 101 FREE ONLINE COURSE LESSON 1 Part 5 of 8 Hand Tools10m
Exercise: What hand tool is recommended for cutting very fine lines and can be used for flush cutting dowels, dovetailing, and has an extremely thin kerf?
Video class: 59 - Woodworking 101 FREE ONLINE COURSE LESSON 1 Part 6 of 8 Woodworking Clamps08m
Exercise: What is considered the most cost-effective type of clamp for a beginner woodworker to start with?
Video class: 60 - Woodworking 101 FREE ONLINE COURSE LESSON 1 Part 7 of 8 Measuring Layout Tools09m
Exercise: Which of the following tools is primarily used for checking the thickness or diameter of wood and hardware?
Video class: 61 - Woodworking 101 FREE ONLINE COURSE LESSON 1 Part 8 of 8 Shop Safety Equipment06m
Exercise: What type of safety gear provides the most comprehensive protection for your eyes while working with tools like a lathe or during activities with a lot of dust?
Video class: 62 - Extreme Torsion Box Assembly Table, Outfeed37m
Exercise: What is one of the unique features of the woodworking project described, regarding its assembly process?
Video class: 64 - Extreme Torsion Box Assembly Table Part 2 Outfeed44m
Exercise: What is a torsion box table primarily used for?
Video class: 65 - Extreme Torsion Box Assembly Table Part 3 Outfeed24m
Exercise: Why is using solid wood for shop projects beneficial according to the woodworking lesson?
Video class: 66 - Extreme Torsion Box Assembly Table Part 4 Final Outfeed32m
Exercise: When installing a vise on a woodworking table, why might someone choose to line the jaws with leather?
Video class: 11 - How to build the Extreme Miter Station22m
Exercise: What feature of the new saw allowed for better space utilization in the woodworking station?
Video class: 12 - How to build the Extreme Miter Station Part 2 Dovetailed Drawers35m
Video class: 13 - How to build the Extreme Miter Station Part 3 Drawer Fronts, Miter Fence and Upper Cabinets34m
Exercise: What is the primary material used for the construction of the miter fence mentioned in the text?
Video class: 14 - How to build the Extreme Miter Station Part 4 details and lacquer finish21m
Exercise: What is one key benefit of using lacquer as a finish for woodworking projects?
Video class: Using the Dovetail Jig00m
Video class: 98 - Learn SketchUp in 20 Minutes - Complete Sketch Up Tutorial of a Coffee Table25m
Exercise: What is one advantage of using Sketchup Make 2017 according to the text?
Video class: Ep 109 - Learn SketchUp Lesson 2 Roubo Woodworking Bench, Best Tutorial Ever?1h13m
Exercise: What is a key teaching method emphasized in woodworking projects, as described in the content?
Video class: Kids Sized Rocking Chair, Adirondack Style DIY Make Money Woodworking33m
Exercise: What type of wood is recommended for building an outdoor Adirondack rocking chair for children?
Exercise: What is the main purpose of creating the footrest for the Adirondack chair discussed in the woodworking lesson?
Video class: Outdoor Tables for the Adirondack Chairs, Coffee Table and End Table34m
Exercise: What woodworking technique is demonstrated as useful when constructing the tabletop to ensure all pieces fit together smoothly?
Video class: Money Making Woodworking Projects for Spring - Start now, get ready36m
Exercise: What is a crucial factor for starting a woodworking business using minimal tools?
Video class: ep 110 - Doggie Stairs in Walnut27m
Exercise: In the construction of interchangeable stairs for a doggy bed, which woodworking tool was highlighted as being particularly useful for creating floating tenons?
Video class: 95 - How to Build a Backyard Deck - Around an Above Ground Pool DIY Home Improvement32m
Exercise: What is one key reason for placing sonotubes on top of caisson holes in decking projects?
Video class: 97 - How to Build a Backyard Deck - part 2 Final - Around an Above Ground Pool DIY Home Improvement32m
Exercise: What is the purpose of using an oil-based finish for decks, as opposed to a film-based finish?
