Fall 2025
October 4-5

Intimidated by the table saw? Unsure of how to tune a bandsaw? This weekend class is for you. Students will be walked through the basics of common shop machines such as the table saw, bandsaw, thickness planer, and jointer. You’ll leave confident in your understanding of the language of these tools, safe operation, maintenance, and tuning.

Over the weekend, students will have an in-depth practice session on commonly used shop machines which will cover basic techniques, safety, and maintenance. You’ll learn how to change blades on the band saw and table saw, strategize for safe and efficient stock breakdown, and how to avoid mishaps and errors. This practice will be rooted in breaking down stock for woodworking projects.

Students will be introduced to the following:

Table Saw 

• Names of different components

• Different types of blades and how to safely change them

• General safety and common operating techniques such as cross cuts, rips, and grooves

Band Saw

• Names of different components

• Blade types and safely changing blades

• Tuning techniques

• General safety and common operating techniques such as cutting curves, crosscuts, and resaws

Thickness Planer

• Names of different components

• General safety and common operating techniques

• Blade changing demonstration 

Jointer

• Names of different components

• General safety and common operation techniques

• Blade changing demonstration 

Tools

No tools required. PTSW will provide all the tools required for this class. 

Recommended Equipment:

• Ear protection 

• Eye protection 

• Pencil 

• Paper

Prerequisites

For beginners. This course is specifically designed for beginners with no experience on woodworking machines. 

Class Information and Registration

Class runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday in Building 304 at Fort Worden. Map
Please read our What to Expect page for general information about the School.
Please also read our Registration Policy.

Class size: 10
Cost: $420
Materials Charge: $35