Foundations of Woodworking II
12-week intensive program for intermediate students
Winter 2026
January 5 - March 27
Spring 2026
April 6 - June 26
Foundations of Woodworking II is intended as the second half of a comprehensive introductory woodworking education. It is suitable for students interested in pursuing these lifelong skills professionally or for personal enrichment. It offers continued foundational woodworking knowledge and practice that builds on the skills learned in Foundations of Woodworking I. Graduates of Foundations of Woodworking I and II will become equipped to make intelligent and creative decisions at every step of the furniture-making process.
During this twelve-week intensive program, students will learn and practice skills necessary to design and build their own unique furniture pieces. This education will range from project management and workflow, techniques for assembling and shaping furniture, and experimenting with methods for enhancing and altering wood quality and color. Students will begin to develop their personal aesthetic sensibilities and practice generating ideas through sketching and building scale models. They will be exposed to a variety of joinery, bending, and lamination techniques, and are expected to incorporate these new techniques into their designs. Students will participate in an instructor-led group critique to further hone their self-evaluation skills and reflect on their experiences.
Additional lecture topics throughout the quarter will include forestry and forest ecosystems, mechanical properties of wood, and more. Students will have the opportunity to visit local woodworkers in their shops and ask questions of experienced makers about topics such as facilities, business practices, marketing, etc. We will also educate students on basic machine tool cleaning, adjusting, and tuning, and ask that students participate in the upkeep of the shop.
Foundations of Woodworking I and II are designed to build upon each other in a way that is exciting and efficient. Those enrolling in Foundations of Woodworking II are expected to have taken Foundations of Woodworking I. At the start of Foundations II, students are expected to come prepared with their own personal layout and bench tools. This is a rigorous, full-time course that is physically and mentally demanding. We provide after-hours access to the bench and machine rooms for students to work, as they often need time beyond normal hours to complete their projects.
Student Outcomes
Design – Use drawing, modeling, and group critique to design furniture; Practice design ideation
Shop practice, personal practice, and project management – Estimate time and materials, establish production plans
Hand tool proficiency – Layout, cut, and fit joinery by hand, and be able to determine when it’s appropriate to use hand tools or machine tools
Machine tool proficiency – Safely and effectively use machine tools for milling and joinery; make and use jigs for machine tool use
Joinery – Select and produce appropriate joinery for strength, movement, and aesthetic value
Glue up and assembly – Identify and use a variety of glues and adhesives; Strategize assembly and sub-assembly workflow, and problem solve how to clamp unique/tricky workpieces; Appropriately plan for and execute a variety of lamination techniques
Finishing and surface preparation – Develop and complete multi-step finishing plans, including the creation of finish samples; properly prepare surfaces for finishing and/or alter wood surfaces for visual appeal
Stock selection, preparation, and materials handling – Prepare materials for curved processes like sequencing laminations; Choose and prepare lumber suitable for steam bending
Shapes, curves, and details – Effectively sculpt wood with hand and power tools to create apparent thicknesses, comfortable seats, and rounded forms; Become proficient with many curved techniques like steam bending and bent laminations
Sharpening and tool maintenance – Adjust and maintain machine tools and dust collection system; Change blades and bits
Curriculum Outline
Windsor Stool: A two-week module in which students build a Windsor chair.
Revisit turning spindles
Windsor joinery techniques
Seat carving
Steam bending
Frame Chair: A two-week module in which students build and shape a simple chair using production approaches
Draft a to-scale technical drawing
Building a mock-up
Introduce lamination
Basic chair construction and design
Lamination Exploration: A one-week module in which students are introduced to curved lamination techniques
Bandsaw Box: A one-week module in which students create a bandsaw box and practice finishing techniques
Coopering: A one-week module in which students explore coopering techniques
Brick Lay & Power Carving: A one-week module in which students learn brick lay lamination and become familiar with power carving tools.
Self-Directed Final Project: A four-week module in which students complete a capstone project of their own design that incorporates a curved technique learned in earlier weeks.
Project design and management
Build a model
Tools
Below are lists of tools required for class, as well as tools and supplies that are optional, though maybe desirable. If you have a favorite tool that is not listed here, please bring it. Tools come in a wide variety of quality and price points. You can read about our specific brand recommendations here. If accumulating the required tool set is financially unviable for you at this time, please inquire as early as possible so that we can discuss alternate accommodations.
Required Layout Tools and Design Supplies:
Tape measure
Double square or combination square
6-inch rule
Small pencil compass
Marking gauge
Sliding bevel
Marking knife or sharp utility knife with extra blades
Sketchbook
Pencils
Erasers
French curve set
Required Hand Tools:
Bench chisel set (minimal set: ¼” ½” ¾” 1”)
Block plane
Spokeshave
Fine cut pull saw (ryoba/double saw—modern-style saw perfectly acceptable)
Straight and curved scrapers
If you prefer to work primarily with hand tools, consider purchasing tools you relied upon in Foundations of Woodworking II.
Optional Course Reading
These are texts that your instructors may reference during the course.
Designing Furniture, From Concept to Shop Drawing: A Practical Guide by Seth Stem
Tage Fried Teaches Woodworking By Tage Fried
The Chairmaker’s Notebook By Peter Galbert
The Complete Manual of Woodbending: Milled, Laminated, and Steambent Work by Lon Schleining
Course Duration & Hours
Class hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, for 12 consecutive weeks in Building 304. Students are expected to arrive at 8:45 am to practice and prepare for the day. Generally, instructors conclude instruction and introduce new concepts at 3:00 pm, but will remain in the classroom until 5:00 pm. The workshop is fully available to students during class time, Monday through Friday. After students have been oriented to safety practices, the bench room is available after hours and on weekends, at the discretion of instructors.
How to Apply
Applications are completed online by students and may be completed in multiple sittings. You will receive a confirmation email after submitting your application. Please contact us if you do not receive this email.
Applications for the 12-week intensives are reviewed monthly, beginning six months in advance of the course date. After reviewing applications, we will schedule a brief phone interview to get a better sense of your woodworking experience and make sure the class is a good fit for you. Courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you have questions, please call us at 360-344-4455 or email info@ptwoodschool.org.
Tuition Details
Information on tuition, the registration process, our refund policy and our cancellation policy can be found here
Financial Aid
Our goal is to provide broader access to fine woodworking education. If the tuition is a barrier, please consider applying for a scholarship or using your VA benefits.
Apply for a scholarship (Scholarship applications are submitted with your course application)
Use your VA benefits
Housing
In collaboration with Fort Worden State Park, PTSW offers private rooms with a shared kitchen and bathroom for intensive students. You would share common spaces with up to one other person. There is a separate housing application process.
Review information on:
Listings from homeowners who enjoy hosting students
Additional resources on local housing options