Woodworking Classes in Michigan
Learn woodworking and carpentry in a fully equipped woodshop at Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute in Adrian, Michigan. SBWI offers hands-on weekend workshops and week-long classes in furniture making, timber framing, joinery, woodturning, carving, chair making, upholstery, preservation, and other traditional and contemporary woodworking skills.
Classes welcome adults at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Use the class finder below to search upcoming woodworking classes by date, subject, skill, project type, experience level, or instructor.
Upcoming Woodworking Classes
What People Are Saying
“I attended the Windsor Continuous Arm Chair class several weeks ago at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (SBWI) under the guidance of Luke Barnett. SBWI has a very spacious shop and a classroom with all kinds of equipment and tools you could think of. Mr. Barnett is a highly knowledgeable and experienced chair maker and knew exactly when and where I might make a mistake building the chair. As such, he was able to give me heads-up many times to prevent me from making serious errors. Shaving spindles while sitting on a shave horse outdoors was a very unique and cherishable moment. Also memorable was driving through endless cornfields from Detroit Airport to Adrian and walking around the Detroit Institute of Arts. The class was more than worth the 14-hour flight from South Korea. I will definitely attend another class at the SBWI.”
— Soek Yung, South Korea
“My mother-in-law and I took the farm table class last Fall in 2024. It was education and instruction rich which led to the creation of a beautiful table that I sit at now as I write this review.
Armando and his team provided fantastic instructor and made every student, myself included, comfortable and confident in what we were doing every step of the way.
This class sparked a sincere interest in woodworking within myself and since then I have begun to put into practice the skills obtained from taking this class and really enjoy my newfound weekend hobby.
Thanks SBWI and I look forward to seeing you all again soon!”
— Will Peterson, Chicago, IL
“My husband and I have taken two one-week classes at Sam Beauford now (a cabinet and a chair class) and we had great experiences both times. It is a great management and team working there who give you a feeling of being welcome and who all are committed to woodworking.
The teachers are excellent, providing the right amount of information to carry out the tasks well even with limited prior knowledge. They also have very good equipment and provide useful guidance on how to use the tools well. We're hoping to be back soon”
— Vibeke O Nielsen, Norway
Frequently Asked Questions
Are SBWI woodworking classes beginner-friendly?
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Yes. Many SBWI woodworking classes are designed for beginners or welcome students with little to no experience. Even for complex projects, our instructors are experienced at being able to teach to the level of the student. Most classes will have a range of us student abilities from beginner to very experienced. Class descriptions will note the recommended skill level, and students can filter classes by beginner, intermediate, weekend, or week-long options.
Are tools and materials included?
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SBWI woodworking classes include the tools, equipment, and materials needed for the class project. If a class requires students to bring specific tools, materials, safety equipment, or reference images, those details will be listed in the individual class description. We understand that many students will want to bring their own tools. We absolutely encourage you to do so, but it is not required. SBWI is highly equipped with enough tools for everyone.
Can I take woodworking classes without enrolling in a full-time program?
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Yes. SBWI’s public woodworking classes are separate from the full-time trade school programs. Students can take individual weekend or week-long woodworking classes without enrolling in the 40-week programs.
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Do you offer on-campus housing?
We not not currently offer on-campus housing. Adrian is a small college town and there are many lodging options available including shared housing with other students. Please click here to see all the options.
Learn to build and upholster a MCM Funky Footstool
2 Days (one weekend) · $325 · Beginners Welcome
Learn woodworking and upholstery while making a Mid Century Modern footstool designed by Victor Wilkins in this hands-on class. Designed for beginners and hobbyists, the course covers wood and fabric selection, joinery, upholstery techniques and you will go home with your own finished footstool.
Taught by Carolyn Racine, our VP of Continuing Education and a 2024 graduate of the SBWI Furniture Design Program. All materials are included; students should bring comfortable shoes.
Learn Dovetail Joinery
2 Days (Weekend) · $325.00· Beginner & Intermediate
Learn how to create the classic dovetail joint while making beautiful step stool in this hands-on woodworking class. Designed for absolute beginners and people with some experience , the course covers tools, layout, cutting, fitting and glue-up and prepares you to incorporate dovetails into your own projects.
Taught by Shane Mooney, woodworker and class of 2025 Furniture Design Graduate. All materials are included and SBWI provides all the tools, but you are certainly welcome to bring your own tools; students should bring comfortable shoes.
Riving, Shingling, and Siding a Timber Frame Cabin
The final phase of building Thoreau’s Cabin is ensuring its protection from the elements, and this 6-day immersive course will teach students how to split (rive) wood using traditional hand tools to create the materials needed for roofing, siding, and interior lath work.
Hand Tool Timber Framing: Build a Cabin
Step into the world of traditional craftsmanship in Thoreau’s Cabin Series, Part 2: Hand Tool Timber Framing. In this immersive 6-day course, students will build a full-scale replica of Henry David Thoreau’s famous cabin at Walden Pond, gaining firsthand experience in the fundamentals of timber framing—all using hand tools.
The Art & Craft of Axes
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the art and craft of axe work in this 6-day immersive course. The Thoreau’s Cabin Series, Part 1: The Art & Craft of Axes is designed for anyone interested in learning the history, anatomy, and practical use of one of the most essential tools in woodworking and timber processing. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced woodsman, this hands-on course will equip you with the skills to handle an axe with confidence and precision.
Smooth Abstract Sculpture Carving with Mike Sasaki
Red Pine sculpture in the general style of Mike Sasaki’s wood forms, which are smooth, abstract, freestanding and geometrically and/or organically inclined.
MCM Funky Footstool Workshop
Dive into the world of Mid Century Modern design with our Funky Footstool Workshop. In this two-day course, you'll learn the foundational skills of woodworking and upholstery by constructing a stylish and functional footstool. This project is perfect for beginners looking to gain hands-on experience in both crafts.
Learn Dovetail Joinery - FULL
This class is geared toward people who have beginner woodworking skills and want to learn more advanced techniques, but students new to the woodshop are also welcome to join! Students will learn the skill of hand cut dovetails while using layout tools, chisels and handsaws. At the end of the class, you will take home a step stool that is practical yet beautiful enough to leave out on display.
Scroll Saw Ornaments
Learn scroll saw basics while creating a unique, handcrafted ornament - the perfect gift to loved ones or a little slice of holiday cheer. In this class, students will learn scroll saw safety with proper blade selection, installation, and tension. You will also learn how to transfer a pattern, proper techniques with cutting, blade-entry holes, and table squaring. Students can choose from a variety of ornament designs and will be able to create multiple pieces to take home. We will also have milk paint available to add embellishment to your ornament.
Finishing Basics - Full!
Do you have a nearly complete project at home that’s ready for that perfect finishing touch? (Or two? We all do!) Let’s tackle one together in this hands-on finishing workshop. We will demystify the many different wood finishes on the market and how to choose the right finish for your project. You will learn best practices for surface preparation, application methods, and achieving your desired aesthetics.
Upholstery Basics: Wrap and Staple Essentials - FULL
Begin your upholstery journey with this entry-level and versatile project - a wrapped and stapled seat cushion. Whether you want to reupholster old furniture or add upholstery to furniture you build, this class will teach you the basic tools and techniques. The wrap and staple upholstery method can be used on a variety of furniture pieces such as dining chairs, bar stools, ottomans, head boards and more.
Upholstery Basics: Wrap and Staple Essentials - FULL
Begin your upholstery journey with this entry level and versatile project - a wrapped and stapled seat cushion. Whether you want to reupholster old furniture or add upholstery to furniture you build, this class will teach you the basic tools and techniques. The wrap and staple upholstery method can be used on a variety of furniture pieces such as dining chairs, bar stools, ottomans, head boards and more.
Introduction to Timber Frame Engineering: Design/Make/Break
Starting with an overview on how to determine the forces and loads a traditional timber frame structure (or really any structure) will see over the course of its lifetime, the course focus will transition into sizing of beams, as well as a primer on basic joinery and connection design. In order to break up the class room portion, we will design a basic timber frame joint, calculate its allowable design strength, and then fabricate it out of timber. After the joints are fabricated, we will “bust” them by pulling them apart using a hydraulic load frame, with friendly bragging rights awarded for the best prediction of strength and best capacity.