Woodworking: Making something using wood

The use of woodworking as an art dates back to ancient times and can be found in every culture. When humans first discovered the use of wood they have never stopped experimenting with the wide varieties of wood in making tools, utensils, bowls, ships and constructing simple shelters to today's modern buildings. As in the past wood is essential to the advancement of civilization.

As with our ancestors we still use wood for all the same purposes. They also used wood for decoration, furniture, and creature comforts. Without woodworking ships would not have been built to take early explorers on their voyages of discovery.

Over the centuries we learned not just how to use wood, but what types of wood could be used for a particular project or purpose. The understanding of these varieties has lead us to it's wide, almost endless uses of woodworking. Workshops were formed to teach new artisans and craftsmen the trades with which modern society is founded.

With the passing of time specialities developed within woodworking each with it's own tools, techniques and projects. Some of these categories are:

Wheelwright- A person who makes wooden wheels and spokes.

Cooper- A person who makes barrels and related goods.

Turning- Using a lathe and cutting tools on a wheel to create round and curved pieces such as table legs, chair legs, pedestals, and candlesticks.

Bodger- A person who uses a lathe to make kitchen utensils such as bowls, and cups.

Carving- Any woodworking project that requires removing pieces of original wood to create a finished project.

Carpenter- Originally a person who builds wagons, then later moveable household furniture such as tables, and benches. In modern times it's a general expression for all woodworkers of residential or commercial trade.

Cabinetmaker- Someone who specializes in making cabinets, shelving and pieces of furniture.

Shipwright- Professional shipbuilder assisted by other woodworking craftsmen.

Parquetry and Marquetry- Making beautiful and often complex patterns in the wood veneers. Parquetry employs the use of geometric shapes, while marquetry draws from real life images.

Today with the ever increasing use of synthetics for construction and decoration the use of wood working as decorative intent falls mostly into the furniture market.

The use of woodworking as a means of earning a living today is shrinking fast. People learn the trade of woodworking for pleasure and enjoyment. Hobbyists are the ones most likely to develop the skills of woodworking. For those who chose to venture into this world the choices are almost endless.

It takes many years of dedication to develop the skills required to built fine woodworking pieces such as chest of drawers, grandfather clocks, desks and other fine quality furniture. Many of these skills of specialization cross over into other areas of wood working.

Do not become overwhelmed when you first start your career of hobby in wood working. It takes time to develop these skills and its best to begin with simple tasks and work your way up. In this way you will avoid the frustrations many before you have encountered.

Seek the advice of experts in wood working. As mentioned earlier in this article when going to trade shows you will meet many people who have been in this field for years and most of them will gladly share their knowledge. For a closer approach to learning the skills of wood working see if your local college of community college has courses in wood working. Should you be in a rural area that doesn't have a college near you than seek out the local high school shop teacher. He will be most enthusiastic to meet a non-high school individual interested in his profession.

On a final note be sure to acquaint yourself with the types of wood and their particular uses, the tools and machines used for each process in wood working, and the proper care and handling of each will provide you with good safety in your new venture of wood working.