Make It Together

One mentor. Three pairs of hands. Craft and community.

“Make It Together” is an intimate woodworking experience from Woodworking for Warriors. Instead of a 6- or 12-person class—where the instructor’s attention may be stretched and machines may be in short supply—this format pairs one seasoned woodworker with two fellow members. Together, they build side by side, working on a project with time and space for guidance, discovery, and learning by doing.

Each participant creates a version of the same piece, assisting one another and growing in the process. It’s about sharing experience and building confidence, skills, and connection. With three people at the bench, craft becomes community.

If you are interested in participating in one or more of the sessions listed below fill out this form and identify, in order of preference, the sessions you would like to attend.

We will collect up requests and reply on May 13 or 14.

Making A Bandsaw Box

Join accomplished Bandsaw Box Creator Terri Butler for a hands-on workshop where you’ll design, construct, and finish your own one-of-a-kind bandsaw box. Terri has crafted and sold many of her custom bandsaw boxes, and in this intimate setting she’ll guide you and one other participant through every step of the process — from sketch to final finish.

You’ll learn the art of shaping wood into smooth curves and clever compartments using the bandsaw, along with techniques for precise fitting, sanding, and finishing. Whether you’re new to the bandsaw or looking to refine your skills, this course offers practical instruction in a intimate, collaborative, supportive format.

Mentor

Terri Butler

Dates / Time

Friday, May 23 and Friday, 30, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Skills Covered

  • Designing a bandsaw box layout

  • Safe and effective use of the bandsaw

  • Shaping curved forms

  • Drawer fit and glue-up techniques

  • Sanding, detail shaping, and finishing

Turning Wooden Bowls and Boxes

Join experienced woodturner John Clark, a member of the Woodturners Guild, for a focused introduction to the art of turning bowls and lidded boxes. In this hands-on workshop, John will guide you and one other participant through the fundamentals of woodturning — from tool control and safety to shaping, hollowing, and finishing on the lathe.

You’ll start with a bowl, learning to mount, rough out, and refine the form. Then, you’ll move on to a small lidded box, gaining experience with precision cuts and fitted lids. With John’s guidance and direct, one-on-one feedback, you’ll build both confidence and skill — and take home two completed turned pieces.

Mentor

John Clark

Dates / Time

Saturday May 24, 9 AM to 5 PM

Skills Covered

  • Lathe safety and setup

  • Tool selection and control

  • Shaping and hollowing a bowl

  • Turning and fitting a lidded box

  • Sanding and finishing on the lathe

Making CNC Garden Signs

Join artisan woodworker Craig Courter for a hands-on introduction to CNC sign-making — just in time for spring. In this workshop, you and one other participant will design, cut, and finish a series of charming garden signs using our new CNC machine. You'll pre-color the boards before carving, creating bold, eye-catching signs with sayings like “Love Grows Here” or “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.” Bring a few other sayings with you to add to the collection.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of CNC sign design and production, including layout, design and toolpath creation, and batch processing for consistency. The goal: create multiple finished signs in a variety of colors — ready for display, gifting, or sale. You’ll take your personal set home, and Woodworking for Warriors will sell the rest at local farmers markets to help fund future programs.

Mentor

Craig Courter

Dates / Time

Thursday, May 29 from 9 AM to 5 PM

Skills Covered

  • Basic CNC sign design and layout

  • Material prep and pre-finishing techniques

  • CNC toolpath setup and safe operation

  • Batch cutting and workflow for small-scale production

  • Final sealing, and presentation

Designer Hardwood Bench

Join John Abbey, president of Woodworking for Warriors, to build a stunning multi-species hardwood bench worthy of any design showroom. In this workshop, you and one other participant will work alongside John to create your own modern designer bench using a blend of solid hardwoods — chosen for contrast, character, and strength.

The project emphasizes precision layout, clean joinery, and thoughtful wood selection. You’ll learn how to orient grain for visual impact and strength, execute clean glue-ups, and shape a bench that blends artistic design with lasting function. The result: a finished piece that’s not just for sitting, but for showcasing.

Mentor

John Abbey

Dates / Time

Friday June 4 and Saturday June 5 from 9 AM to 5 PM

Skills Covered

  • Working with contrasting hardwoods

  • Layout and visual design planning

  • Glue-up techniques for strength and aesthetics

  • Shaping and smoothing large components

  • Finishing techniques for showroom-quality results

Shaker Inspired Hall Table Build

Join artisan woodworker Craig Courter in building a classic Shaker-inspired hall table featuring tapered legs, a piston-fit drawer, and traditional joinery throughout. In this immersive workshop, you and one other participant will work alongside Craig, starting with rough lumber and transforming it into a refined, heirloom-quality piece.

You’ll mill your own stock, cut hand-fitted mortise-and-tenon joints for the aprons, and use the Woodpeckers Multi-Router to create precise half-blind dovetails for the drawer. Craig will be building his in cherry, but participants are welcome to choose from the wood available in the barn — or mix and match species for contrast and creative expression.

This is a demanding but deeply rewarding project that emphasizes craftsmanship, precision, and design sensibility.

Mentor

Craig Courter

Dates / Time

Thursday, June 12, and Friday, June 13, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Skills Covered

  • Stock selection and milling from rough lumber

  • Cutting hand-fitted mortise and tenon joints

  • Precision dovetail joinery using the Multi-Router

  • Leg tapering techniques

  • Drawer fitting and fine adjustments

  • Design choices in wood grain and species combinations

CNC For July 4th

Celebrate independence and craftsmanship in this patriotic CNC workshop led by Steve Mccarroll. You and one other participant will use our new CNC machine to create Fourth of July-themed items ready for sale at upcoming craft fairs. Projects will include small serving trays carved American flags.

Using pre-made 3D models, you'll learn the basics of CNC sign design, including layout, toolpath setup, and safe operation. Each piece will be cut, cleaned, and finished to be display-ready. Take one home and the others will be sold to support Woodworking for Warriors.

Mentor

Steve McCarroll

Dates / Time

Thursday, June 19, from 9 AM to 5 PM

Skills Covered

  • Importing and using 3D models for CNC carving

  • Designing and prepping patriotic-themed CNC projects

  • Toolpath creation and machine operation

  • Sanding, finishing, and sale-ready presentation

Restoring Western Hand Saws

Join vintage tool enthusiast Jim Stoe for a hands-on journey into the restoration of classic Western handsaws. In this workshop, you and one other participant will each receive a time-worn handsaw and bring it back to life — removing rust, restoring the blade, sharpening the teeth, and crafting a brand-new handle from hardwood.

Along the way, you’ll learn the anatomy of a handsaw, the purpose behind different tooth patterns, and the feel of a tuned saw in your hand. By the end of the session, you’ll not only have a fully functional, restored saw — you’ll have the skills to restore others for years to come.

Mentor

Jim Stoe

Dates / Time

Saturday, June 21, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Skills Covered

  • Rust and grime removal techniques

  • Saw tooth cleaning, shaping, and sharpening

  • Handle design, shaping, and fitting

  • Understanding saw geometry and tuning

  • Finishing for appearance and longevity

Making A Stool

Join John Clark and Craig Courter for a collaborative workshop that combines traditional wood turning on a lathe, CNC precision, and hand-tool craftsmanship. You and one other participant will each build a three-legged stool, gaining experience in both digital and analog techniques from start to finish.

John will lead you through turning the legs and stretchers on the lathe, focusing on balance, form, and clean joinery. With Craig, you’ll begin by learning how to drill angled leg holes with the correct rake and splay — a critical step for proper alignment and stability. Then, you'll use the CNC to rough cut the seat blank on both sides, starting from a 3D model you’ll load and prepare in the CNC software.

Once the blank is cut, you’ll move to traditional hand tools — shaping the seat to your final design with draw knives, spokeshaves, and scorps — and finish the project with careful assembly and final touches.

Mentors

John Clark and Craig Courter

Dates / Time

Thursday, July 24 and Friday July 25 from 9 AM to 5 PM

Skills Covered

  • Turning legs and stretchers on the lathe

  • Drilling compound-angle leg holes (rake and splay)

  • CNC toolpath setup and safe operation

  • Loading and cutting two-sided models on the CNC

  • Shaping with draw knives, spokeshaves, and scorps

  • Traditional assembly and finishing techniques