Replies

1. 
   BArnold | Sep 27, 2004 10:12pm | #1

   Andy,

   To start with, why not tell us where you live so those in your area can supply the information you seek.

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

   ---

1. 
   ostrem | Sep 27, 2004 10:36pm | #3

   thanks for the speedy replies. first, I settled up with myself long ago that I would never be a rich person. Second, this is the first time in ten years (i'm only 23) that I have been truly excited about the next step in my future. Third, I'm not exactly sure if architectural woodworking is what I want to do. From all the information I can see now, that would be the place; to get a good basis of tools, technique, and skills, so that if I decide furniture making is for me, I've got a good head start. Fourth, my parents left me plenty of money to do with what I like. This is what I'm using it for. I currently live in Iowa City, Ia. I have no problems going to Japan or the middle of the dessert if that is where I can get a quality education. This is whithout a doubt the only career path set for me.

1. 
   BG | Sep 27, 2004 11:05pm | #4

   Andy,

   The very best.....

   http://www.nbss.org/

1. 
   CarpenterJC | Sep 28, 2004 04:46am | #5

   First off..welcome to The Woodworking world..second..and this is just My opinion..but I would suggest a part-time job working for a Cabinet Shop..and going to school part time..school is great..dont get Me wrong..but alot of the real world experience will teach you things that schools cant..as well as alot of the things you learn in school will be used very minimaly..unless you are looking to work for a very upscale and elite furniture maker..alot of the techniques have been layed by the wayside as far as cabinetwork and some production furniture work..just choose your path carefully and enjoy the Woodworking.

                                                                   JC

1. 
   BArnold | Sep 28, 2004 02:33pm | #7

   "...but I would suggest a part-time job working for a Cabinet Shop..and going to school part time."

   Good advice, Carpenter.  I was just thinking the same thing based on my experience.  I'm at the opposite end of the age picture from Andy -- I just turned 60.  I've been a weekend woodworker most of my life and progressed at the pace of most people in that mode, I suppose.  Over the past 10 years I began to expand into building cabinets for home use.  I would get an inspiration for an item from a magazine or online photo, then draw my own plan based on what my wife and I wanted for our home.

   I got a lot of great information from 'book-learning' but not as much practical application as I needed, of course.  After being in engineering management positions most of my life, I found myself in dire straits when job-hunting following the events of 9/11.  Although it meant a drastic reduction in income, I finally found a job in a high-end cabinet shop building furniture for yachts.  It was a real eye-opener to see the techniques and processes used in a production shop -- you don't get that kind of experience from a book.

   Incidentally, one of the best builders in the shop went to a trade school in the Boston area.  I don't remember the name of the school and I've lost touch with the guy.  He got some great training at the school, but the real education was being in a production shop situation.

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

   Edited 9/28/2004 7:35 am ET by BArnold

   Edited 9/28/2004 7:36 am ET by BArnold

2. 
   creekwood | Sep 27, 2004 10:23pm | #2

   Welcome,  Andy, you've found a great site right here. You're going to get a lot of great info about what is available from many in this forum, so, just for starters, make sure you know you want to do this for a living. I remember reading of what someone once said, "Woodworking is not a way to make a living, it's a way of living." Not to rain on your parade, but for most woodworkers, you won't get rich. Some do very well, but they're not the norm. (no pun intended)  But if you don't mind long hours, with not much money left over sometimes, then woodworking has many rewards. It can satisfy the creator that may be inside you, and can give great satisfaction when a job is finished.

   You mentioned architectural woodworking, is that the direction you've set yourself on, or are you interested in furniture design and building?

3. 
   WayneL5 | Sep 28, 2004 05:35am | #6

   First of all, congratulations on considering an art or trade.  Good people are always needed.

   I can't provide too much specific information but more some food for thought.  If you are going to make a career of it, I think you would be better off with a multi-year curriculum as opposed to taking courses from schools with short programs or a star celebrity with a particular style.  A planned curriculum will prepare you for all the aspects and expose you to multiple instructors, methods, and a broad range of applications.  You'll also need a couple of business courses so you won't make foolish decisions with what will be a limited resource in the early years.

   There are colleges all over that provide 2 year degrees.  One near where I lived was Algonquin College in Ottawa, Canada.  I don't know anything specific about it.  But I know there are a number of colleges that have programs.  Another approach is a school that specializes in woodworking programs.  One of the best known is the North Bennet Street School in Boston.  (They have a program in preservation carpentry.)  http://www.nbss.org/about/index.asp  They have full, multi-year curricula in several specialties.  Boston is one of the great cities to be a student in, too.

   There are lots of ads in the back of good woodworking magazines.  And college finder books.

   Don't limit your search too early.  Any school you hear about, write for information.  Get info from many places before even thinking about refining your search.