Woodworking for Beginners: Learn Joinery Techniques
A course by Estudio CaribeDesign Studio and Woodcraft Workshop
A course by Estudio Caribe, Design Studio and Woodcraft Workshop
Design and build original pieces with wooden mounting assembly, from the idea to the final touches
Functional, beautiful, meaningful, high-quality, and environmentally friendly. These are just some of the qualities that define the handmade objects and furniture from Estudio Caribe, a woodworking studio whose mission is to preserve the art of carpentry with an added touch of creativity.
In this course, learn how to design and build a wooden work of art with your own hands. Discover different techniques for combining wood and create unique objects full of personality. Become another member of the studio and learn the basic concepts of this age-old profession.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 12 downloads
What Will We Do In the Course?
2 minutes, 56 seconds
Wood
11 minutes, 27 seconds
Tools
11 minutes, 58 seconds
Glues
4 minutes, 29 seconds
Selection and Preparation
3 minutes, 54 seconds
Design and Layout
10 minutes, 57 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by getting to know Cecilia Bolio and Rodolfo Morales, the couple behind the creation of Estudio Caribe. They show you some of their projects, what inspires their work, and where their passion for design and carpentry comes from.
Before you get your hands dirty, review some basic concepts to help you with your project: material qualities, basic hand tools and their uses, different types of glue, and methods for selecting and preparing your wood.
In the third unit, go through each of the steps involved in creating an object using joinery techniques. First, create your design and then a stencil to guide you during the building phase. Next, learn everything you need to know about cuts, whether you plan to make them yourself or outsource the work, before covering the gluing process. Finally, Cecilia and Rodolfo teach you how to clean up edges, fix blemishes, sand, and add finishing touches.
In the last unit, learn about different types of wood finishes and which one to choose based on your project. Cecilia and Rodolfo also explain the effects of time on your piece and what you can do to keep it in good shape.
What is this course's project?
Design and craft a cutting/serving board by joining different types of wood.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in carpentry and handicrafts.
Requirements and materials
No prior experience is needed. Basic notions of design and some type of CAD program would be helpful, but not necessary. Pencil and paper will still give you great results.
The materials for this course include wood of your choice, cloth or oakum, a scraper or spatula, pins, thinner, a cutter, a carpenter's square, a tape measure, a ruler, sandpaper with different grit sizes, a plane, a handsaw, clamps, a hammer, optional power tools like a drill or a circular saw, and other tools the teachers will cover in the course.
Reviews
- 5 months ago
Excelente curso! En espera de más
- 7 months ago
Tiene muy buenos tips en términos de acabados y su función.
- 2005pjmPLUS7 months ago
Me gustó mucho, aprendí algunos trucos, y me pareció interesante el objeto trabajado. Utilizó algunos de sus trucos para producir un bloque con restos de madera y, a partir de él, generé algunos pequeños objetos en el torno. Me parece que estimula la imaginación e impulsa la creatividad, ¡Bravo!.
- 9 months ago
Me gustó el curso, es conciso, da buenos tips para el el manejo de la madera sobre todo de grado alimenticio. Me resultó bastante útil. Muchas gracias.
- 10 months ago
Me gusto que dieran a conocer el proceso de la técnica de prensado muy bueno, me gustaría que pudieran hacer mas cursos de tablas para alimento o adorno de diferentes modelos y usos, profundizar en algunos aspectos como diferentes situaciones que se pueden presentar al conseguir maderas , etc.
The pair works for clients in a wide variety of industries including architecture, design, hospitality, and projects for the general public. They also have a line of utilitarian objects made of joined wood that they sell in Mexico City, where the studio is located. However, their products can be found in many other cities throughout Mexico and in other countries like the United States, Spain, Switzerland and even Kuwait.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- What Will We Do In the Course?
- U2
Basic fundamentals
- Wood
- Tools
- Glues
- Selection and Preparation
- U3
Construction and Processes
- Design and Layout
- Cut
- Glue
- Grinding and Special Details
- Patch and Sanding 1
- Patch and Sanding 2
- U4
Final steps
- Finishes
- Maintenance and Care
- FP
Final project
- Carpentry for Beginners: Mixing Wood Tones
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn traditional woodworking techniques, how to select and make the most of different woods, joinery methods, ergonomics, use of hand and power tools, finishing and maintenance, as well as designing and crafting pieces that are both functional and beautiful.
This is an intermediate-level course, perfect for those with basic woodworking knowledge who want to refine their skills, explore furniture design, and deepen their understanding of working with wood.
You’ll need basic hand tools (square, sandpaper, clamps, jigsaw, etc.), solid wood and scraps, specific glues, templates, and finishing materials like waxes or oils. Some tasks may call for optional power tools.
You’ll be able to design and build wooden furniture and useful objects, such as ergonomic chairs, serving boards, assembled pieces, and furniture inspired by both traditional and modern techniques.
Yes, the course includes Japanese woodworking, fine cabinetry, and traditional joinery techniques, focusing on precise joints, nail-free connections, and high-quality handcrafted finishes.
You’ll learn to apply ergonomic principles in designing chairs and furniture, taking into account dimensions, comfort, and functionality to create pieces tailored to the user.
The course encourages responsible use of materials, teaching you how to make the most of wood scraps and offcuts to create new items, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.