Woodshop Classes

The Spark Woodshop teaches two kinds of classes: instruction and project. Instructional classes are currently for Spark members only, and focus on teaching the use of one or two specific tools. Students learn the operation of those tools, which allows them to use those tools at any time. Project based classes are open to the general public, and center around a woodworking project. As well as learning appropriate tools, students also learn design, assembly, and finishing techniques, and take the project home at the end of the class.

To sign up for classes, visit the Spark Eventbrite page. New classes are announced on the Spark website, the Spark Facebook page, and through e-mail on the Spark mailing list. Class descriptions identify which tools will be used in the class.

Upcoming Classes

Upcoming classes can be found on the Classes page of the Spark Makerspace main website. Most of the woodshop instructor focus is on certification classes for the tools, which is for members only. If you're a member, check the Spark emails for a link to member-only certification classes. 

Student Information

If students are not Spark member, or Spark members who have not yet been approved for Woodshop access, they should read the Non-Member Safety Rules and expect to sign a liability waiver prior to the start of classes. Paper copies of the rules will also be available.

Student Guidance

Suggestions for students on attire, foods, parking, etc. is available in the Woodshop Class Preparation Guide, and reproduced below.

What to Wear:

Comfortable shoes and appropriate clothes.

Students should expect to spend most of the class standing on their feet, so comfortable and supportive ​closed-toe​ footwear is important. Students should expect that clothing worn in the shop may end up full of shavings, sawdust, splinters, and glue. If the class includes power tool use (most do), students should avoid hanging cords, loose sleeves, or other entanglement hazards in clothing. Coats and purses may be hung on the coat rack in the shop, but are likely to get dusty during long classes. Please plan accordingly.

What to Bring:

Drinks and a lunch.

Students should bring drinks and snacks, if desired. Weekend classes over three hours generally incorporate a one hour lunch break. Spark has a refrigerator and microwave available,or students can avail themselves of a number of restaurants in downtown New London.

Personal Protective Equipment (optional).

All classes in the woodshop will require the use of protective eyewear (ANSI Z87 rated). Ear and respiratory protection is also suggested for most classes. If you have personal equipment to meet these requirements, we encourage you to bring it. If you don’t have any of this gear, don’t worry - Spark will supply all the required equipment to safely complete your class.

Where to Park:

On the street, or in back of the building.

Street parking is usually available on State Street, but is limited to 2 hour parking between 8am and 6pm. For non-members, the street parking allows easier access to the building as only the front door has a doorbell. There are also some parking spaces in the rear of the building. If you park in back,please ensure that you are in a Spark space and not one belonging to the church. Parking gets quite tight on Sunday mornings or when the church has an event. Non-members parking in the rear of the building should expect to knock VERY LOUDLY on the rear door in order to be let into the building.

Class Information

Bandsaw Boxes

Students will make a small box with drawer(s) out of a single piece of stock to be taken home at the end of the class. Students will be introduced to gluing techniques, several bandsaw techniques, and basic methods of finishing (shellac). Students should expect to do a significant amount of hand sanding as part of the process. Students will gain significant experience with the bandsaws and the bench sander during this class.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Bandsaw Box

Certification Crates

This intensive two-day introduction to the woodshop starts with two pieces of rough-cut fir and ends with a light-duty wooden crate for the student to take home. Students will then receive safety instructions, operation guidance, and usage certification for most of the tools in the shop.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Certification Crate

Cutting Boards

Students will build a wooden cutting board. Students will start with mixed strips of wood, and will glue, flatten, shape, groove, and finish the cutting board. This is a two-session class, and at the end of the second class students will take their project home. Students will use the table saw, planer, plunge router, and router table as part of this class.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Cutting Board

Kentucky Stick Chair

Build an outdoor folding chair in a day! Students will cut and drill parts to create a folding chair, commonly called a Kentucky Stick Chair. The chair, made out of cedar, is ideal for sitting on a porch or at the beach on a summer day. Students will spend the day laying out, cutting, and drilling more than 40 parts to make the complete chair. The finished chairs will be taken home at the end of the day.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Stick Chair

Mallet (Laminated)

This class is aimed at the complete woodshop novice. Students will build a laminated wooden mallet using oak and epoxy. At the end of the class, students will take home their mallet. As part of the class, students will be signed off on the compound miter saw and the bandsaw, and will get an introduction to the drill press, router, and table saw.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Laminated Mallet

Marking Knife

Students will be taught how to make a traditional steel marking knife. This class will provide instruction on how to form, heat treat, and temper O1 steel. This two-day class will go step-by-step through the manufacture of the complete marking knife, which will be taken home at the end of class.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Marking Knife

Napkin Holder and Trivet

Students will make a matching napkin holder and a trivet out of a single laminate board with contrasting colors. Students will learn how to set up and use the router table to cut dados and round over edges. Finishing techniques including applying shellac and mineral oil will also be demonstrated. Members will be certified on the chop saw and the router table as part of this class.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Napkin Holder

Sharpening Workshop

Students will be introduced to the basics of woodshop sharpening. The instructor will discuss the available methods and techniques, and introduce the sandpaper-on-glass method available in the Spark woodshop. Students will practice by bringing one of the Spark woodshop's dull chisels back to a razor sharp cutting edge.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Sharpening Workshop

Six-Pack Carrier

Students will be introduced to the basics of woodshop sharpening. The instructor will discuss the available methods and techniques, and introduce the sandpaper-on-glass method available in the Spark woodshop. Students will practice by bringing one of the Spark woodshop's dull chisels back to a razor sharp cutting edge.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Six-Pack Carrier

Viking Chair

This class is intended to teach the use of common portable power tools. Students will make a Viking chair, also called a bog, stargazer, or one-board chair

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Viking Chair

Whale Automata

This class started as a collaborative program between the Lyman Allyn Art Museum and Spark Makerspace. Students will assemble and decorate a type of kinetic artwork known as an Automata.

For more information, see: Woodshop Class - Whale Automata