Woodworking is a perfect project choice if you like wood and enjoy using tools and building things. Can you see yourself someday building a table, wood toy or a chair? As a beginning woodworker, you can build practical and useful objects. As your skills grow, you’ll be able to make most of the objects in your house or even build a home! No matter what you make, the joy of completing a woodworking project is great. You’ll build and construct items using wood and a wide variety of woodworking tools.


Each year you should do at least seven of the required and optional activities listed in the manual. In addition, you should take part in at least two leadership experiences each year. To complete each level of woodworking, you should complete at least 21 total required and optional activities in three years or less.

Woodworking, Level 1

Learn how to find an area to work on your project, how to identify woodworking tools, woodworking safety and decide on appropriate projects for the year. You’ll also learn how to measure and mark boards, use a square, use a portable power drill, hand drill or brace, use a hand saw, identify different types of nails and screws, make a sandpaper block, construct a butt joint and use a hammer safely.


M Measuring Up, BU6875, $6.00
L Woodworking Helper’s Guide, BU6879, $6.00

Woodworking, Level 2

In level 2 you’ll be introduced to new tools and ideas. You’ll be using power equipment and practicing new woodworking skills. You’ll find plans for building a birdhouse, stool and letter holder. In addition, you’ll learn about safety, potential careers, identify different woodworking tools, select wood based on grain and recognize the difference between plywood, fiberboard and other types of lumber. You’ll develop a project plan and then use a combination square, make a miter cut, make a curved cut using a jig saw, use a chisel, sander and staple gun and connect pieces of wood with glue, then select brushes for painting.


Making the Cut, BU6876, $6.00
L Woodworking Helper’s Guide, BU6879, $6.00

Woodworking, Level 3

“Nailing It Together” will introduce you to woodworking skills, tools and equipment you may not have used before. In this project, you’ll learn how to stay current with technology, explore career opportunities and make a boomerang, belt buckle, puzzle or bookshelf. You’ll use a T-bevel, enlarge scale-drawn plans, make a dado joint, use a powered circular saw and a radial arm saw, use a hand plane and table saw, learn about hinges, hasps and flush plates, understand the difference between various clamps, make a dowel joint and use various types of wood stains.


M Nailing It Together, BU6877, $6.00
L Woodworking Helper’s Guide, BU6879, $6.00

Woodworking, Level 4

You are now closer to becoming an accomplished woodworker. You’ll design a woodworking shop and learn more about potential careers. You will use a router, jointer, portable planer and scraper, make mortise, tenon and dovetail joints and compare adhesives, bleaches and strippers, build a wood vehicle, step stool or door knocker.


M Finishing Up, BU6878, $6.00
Woodworking Helper’s Guide, BU6879, $6.00
Woodworking Independent Study 
Woodworking Helper’s Guide, BU6879, $6.00 Find a variety of group activities that help youth broaden their understanding of basic woodworking concepts. Each chapter contains ideas to reinforce a life skill.