Woodworking encompasses a wide variety of activities, both as a hobby and a profession. The various branches of woodworking differ greatly in terms of how they are carried out and the type of work involved. From crafting a handmade table to creating a sign using a digital CNC machine, all these activities are encompassed by the term woodworking.
It is not feasible for woodworkers to achieve expertise in every aspect of woodworking due to the vast number of disciplines and techniques involved. Additionally, certain woodworking practices may remain unfamiliar as they are simply too numerous to explore. Moreover, diverse cultures embrace various woodworking traditions and specialties.
1. Woodturning
Woodturning involves the use of a lathe to spin a piece of wood at speeds varying from 250 to 4000 RPMs. During this process, the wood is cut with either a gouge or a chisel. The resulting objects made through woodturning exhibit a round shape. Woodturners craft various items, including bowls, vases, cups, pens, candle holders, plates, and many others.
When engaging in woodturning, the woodworker is provided ample opportunity to showcase their artistic abilities. Unlike other woodworking practices, precise measurements and meticulous planning are not crucial. Instead, one can make immediate decisions and sculpt the artwork further as they progress with the turning process.
If you have an experimental and artistic mindset, I strongly recommend trying woodturning. Woodturning is easy to learn but difficult to become proficient in. It serves as an excellent entry-point into the world of woodworking.
2. Furniture making
The process of making furniture from wood, known as furniture making, involves creating various types of furniture such as tables, chairs, desks, stools, beds, and sofas.
The mainstream demand for traditional furniture making is being undermined by the mass production of inexpensive furniture made from low-quality materials by large corporations, although furniture making remains a significant traditional craft that holds relevance in modern times.
The number of individuals who value traditionally crafted furniture made from high-quality solid wood is increasing. Numerous specialized woodworking enterprises are able to prosper by selling custom-made furniture of excellent quality.
It is enjoyable for hobby woodworkers to be aware of furniture making as well. The act of creating your own coffee to be used on a daily basis brings immense pleasure and satisfaction.
3. Epoxy woodworking
If you have recently used YouTube or conducted woodworking research, it’s likely you have come across the trendy epoxy river tables.
The process of epoxy woodworking involves incorporating epoxy into wood, typically by encasing the wood in epoxy resin to create a unified object. Epoxy is also utilized in woodworking for various purposes beyond casting, such as adhesive, coating, repairing, sealing, among others.
One of the advantages of using epoxy for woodworking is that it allows for post-hardening work, and exhibits similar characteristics to wood during the working process. Moreover, by incorporating epoxy, you can enhance the visual appeal of your woodworking projects by adding colors and creating diverse patterns, thus infusing them with a distinct and unique style.
4. Construction
When people hear the word construction, they commonly associate it with carpentry. This association is entirely accurate as carpenters typically engage in extensive construction work. Specifically, construction pertains to woodworking and involves the use of wood to create structural elements, such as house framing.
If you are interested in woodworking and want to pursue a career in this field, working as a carpenter in construction is likely the most straightforward path. While construction generally entails building larger structures, such as frames, it can also involve creating the framing for a table, although this analogy is not commonly used.
5. Cabinetry
Cabinetry, which is closely associated with furniture making, primarily focuses on crafting cabinets and shelves used across all rooms in a house. These cabinets and shelves need to be both functional and visually appealing. Numerous woodworkers specialize in cabinetry, as it offers a broad scope within the woodworking field, allowing individuals to solely dedicate their entire woodworking career to this aspect.
The distinction between cabinetry and furniture making lies in the fact that cabinets are designed to remain stationary for the majority of their lifespan, whereas furniture is crafted with the ability to be moved. Cabinetry solely requires aesthetic appeal on the visible sides, whereas furniture necessitates aesthetically pleasing appearance on all sides.
It is possible to utilize lower-quality materials for the areas of the cabinets that are not visible, using a step-by-step thought process.
6. Pyrography (Woodburning)
Pyrography involves the practice of creating designs, words, and pictures by burning them onto wood. Although it is not considered a specific type of woodworking, it is an activity that enhances the appearance of wood and is often employed by woodworkers in their projects.
Modern pyrographers utilize an electrically-powered wood-burning pen as their primary tool for creating artwork. These pens are equipped with numerous pre-designed heads and bits to facilitate various forms of burning.
Pyrography has the ability to produce remarkably intricate images and artwork. Examples of what can be created with wood burning include a replica of the Mona Lisa, lifelike animals, and exquisite calligraphy engraved into wood.
7. Woodworking art
Woodworking art encompasses anything that can be created using wood. Although this description may seem broad, no better alternative could be found.
Woodworking art encompasses a range of creations including wooden replicas of cool cars, installations crafted from driftwood, and aesthetically pleasing wooden objects designed solely to evoke emotion or beauty rather than serving a specific purpose.
Although woodworking art was categorized separately in this article, you believe that all the other types of woodworking mentioned in the list can also be considered as art.
8. Boat building
Wood is a widely available and easily workable material, which has been traditionally used for constructing boat hulls and spars due to its buoyancy.
When small boats, like dinghies and sailboats, are constructed to be around 6 meters (20 ft) in length, this particular material is commonly utilized. The extent to which it is resistant to abrasion can vary, depending on the hardness and density of the wood. If water from a fresh source or marine organisms are able to infiltrate the wood, it may undergo deterioration.
9. Boxes
10. Intarsia and Marquetry (Wood mosaics)
Marquetry is the process of utilizing veneer pieces to create ornamental patterns, designs, or pictures on a structure. This method can be employed on case furniture, seat furniture, small decorative objects with smooth, veneer-suitable surfaces, or standalone pictorial panels that are admired independently.
Marquetry is distinct from the older craft of inlay, also known as intarsia, wherein a solid material is carved to accommodate portions of another material, creating the surface design. The term originates from a Middle French expression denoting “work that is embedded.”
11. Scroll sawing
12. Woodcarving
Wood carving involves using either a cutting tool in one hand or a chisel in two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet to create a wooden figure or figurine, or to add sculptural ornamentation to a wooden object.
Woodcarving is the process of creating and embellishing wooden items by molding them with a knife, gouge, or chisel. This traditional craft has existed for numerous centuries and can be found in various regions worldwide, featuring long-established woodcarving traditions and techniques.
Woodcarving comes in various shapes and forms, with one of the most basic being whittling. Whittling involves the act of taking a piece of wood and creating something by carving into it. Often, these whittled creations take the form of amusing characters such as gnomes or snowmen.
Relief Carvings, which are also a beloved form of woodcarving, require the removal of wood from a flat surface in a way that creates the illusion of the object emerging from the wood, similar to a three-dimensional painting but made solely from wood.
13. Joinery
Joinery, a highly favored form of woodworking, involves the connection of wooden pieces through joints. Joints play a significant role in the creation of furniture. By implementing joints in woodworking, the necessity for nails and screws is diminished, resulting in enhanced strength and durability for your projects.
There are many individuals who derive great satisfaction from achieving precise and intricate joinery in their woodworking endeavors, without relying on nails or screws. In certain cases, the joinery itself is sufficient to keep the wooden piece intact, negating the necessity for wood glue.
Butt joints, biscuit joints, bride joints, dado joints, dovetail joints, finger joints, lap wood joints, and mortise and tenon joints are among the most popular woodworking joints.
