Safety First: Working with any equipment can be dangerous. It’s essential that all members know the safe and proper use of every tool in the shop. Eye protection is required while in the woodshop.
Our Education Policy: The club’s goal is to help members learn basic, safe machine operation. Please review our Shop Policy under "Education" for more details.
We’re a Club, Not a School: The woodshop is a club of people interested in woodworking. Many members are happy to share their knowledge, but the shop does not function as a formal school. There is a list of formal schools at the bottom of this page.
Ask for Help: If you’re not familiar with a tool or machine, please ask for assistance before using it. This helps prevent injuries and equipment damage.
Regular Demos: Equipment demonstrations are scheduled regularly. Check the Calendar for upcoming sessions. Overviews are also available on the Eq. Demo page. Members are notified by email of new demos or schedule changes.
New Equipment: When new or upgraded equipment arrives, orientation sessions are scheduled and posted on the shop calendar.
Want to Learn More? For advanced skills—like finishing, fret work, box joints, or dovetails—ask a Mentor, or just ask around the shop. Someone is always willing to help!
OTOW Woodshop Classes Being Offered
The details and signup for these classes are posted on the Calendar.
Jan 20 Router Table Machine basics with hands on
Jan 27 SawStop Machine basics with some hands on
Jan 29 What About Wood Review of wood and trip to seller
Feb 3 Planer & Jointer Machine use to dress wood demonstrated
Feb 5 Joinery 101 Basic joints reviewed and demonstrated
Feb 10 Joinery 102 Advanced joints reviewed and demonstrated
Feb 12 Sanders and Drill Presses Machine basics demonstrated
Feb 17 Sign up date for a 6 session series to build skills and make a portable plywood tool box
Mar 12 SawStop Machine basics with some hands on
Mar 17 Bandsaw & Miter saw Machine basics, includes some hands on
Want to see a demo on a specific tool or technique and can't wait for a class? Get in touch with one of our Mentors to help you!
At the sign-in desk, you'll find a box with DVDs that can be borrowed for home viewing and a notebook to record your loan. These DVDs cover basic power tool use and specific techniques, produced by the Wood Workers Guild of America (WWGOA.com) and generously donated by a club member. Please do not copy these DVDs.
Borrow only one DVD at a time due to limited inventory and length.
Keep DVDs for no more than four days.
To sign out, enter your name and date in the DVD Sign-Out Notebook.
Return DVDs to the correct spot and record the return date.
Report any damage or loss to a board member.
Available DVDs:
Table Saw: Table Saw Essentials
Table Saw: Advanced Table Saw Techniques
Table Saw: Table Saw Joinery
Router: Router Table Joinery
Router: Hand Held Router Techniques
Router: Router Table Essentials
Lathe: Advanced Turning Techniques
Lathe: Wood Turning Essentials
Lathe: Turning Projects and Techniques
Planer & Joiner: Setting Up and Using Joiners and Planers
Sharpening: Must Have Sharpening Techniques
Band Saw: Band Saw Essentials
Suggested Videos
There are a tremendous number of woodworking videos available online. Here are some you may wish to review. Those marked OTOW were produced in our own shop!
Some of our members would like to share video(s) they have made with our membership. NOTE: The OTOW Woodshop does not endorse these videos. We list them here as a courtesy for our members to enjoy.
Listed below are some of the most popular woodworking schools in the country. If you are interested in taking your woodworking to the next level, consider taking a class at one of these schools.