Determining Skill Level

Woodworking Courses or Classes Using Power Tools

This guide, in addition to comments from instructors, will help students better determine their skill levels.

If you are registering for a class that will use power tools, you are expected to be at the recommended skill level and to abide by all safety precautions and guidelines, as required by the school and instructor, when operating power tools. In addition, all students taking a class using power tools or other tools and equipment must sign a Release of Liability form and fill out and submit a questionnaire regarding their ability and any physical limitations when using the tools.

Beginner

no experience at all or one or tow beginning-level woodworking classes and is willing to carefully follow the instructor's directions
little or no experience with measuring or reading plans or drawings
can use basic hand tools, such as X-acto knives, miter box and saw, pin vise, etc.
has built from kits but done very little building from scratch
none or very limited power tool experience; fearful of or not comfortable with power tools; does not understand the capabilities or safety precautions

Intermediate

has taken several woodworking classes; has good measuring skills; owns and uses a variety of hand tools; needs to refine or expand repertoire of techniques and skills
familiar with basic joinery and has built things from scratch
has used basic power tools; feels at ease around a scroll saw, table saw, lathe, drill press, router, etc.; familiar with basic uses; aware of safety precautions; needs help in further developing skills and guidance to achieve better understanding of their uses

hamer

advanced

has taken many classes and works independently on a regular basis at home; able to follow written directions and understand technical drawings and terms
understands concepts of woodworking techniques; could design and construct a jig to accomplish any particular technique
can produce intricate pieces from measured drawings or an original full-scale piece without teacher involvement; interested in authenticity; has successfully completed projects using own detailed drawings
owns and regularly uses a variety of power and hand tools; has a thorough understanding of tools and feels at ease with them
skilled at using hands; quick learners looking for special techniques to advance or refine or perfect their skills