If you can learn carpentry on your own is a question , mostly asked by the amateur woodworkers who maybe believe that woodworking is hard to learn hobby .

It’s very natural to have “fears” and doubts when you firstly want to enter to the carpentry activity , especially when you see the countless youtube videos from professional carpenters .

Noone knew anything for carpentry , at the beginning .

If you know nothing for an area you want to act , you afraid . It’s a natural mechanism all humans have , but you shouldn’t let this fear to stop you from entering in this astonishing hobby .

All the woodworkers , who chose the carpentry as a hobby or a professional way of living , knew nothing in their early days . They let themselves “free” and had an open mind to learn , from the process and the wood itself .

If you have the willingness to begin , you have just made “half of the road” .

Yes , for sure you can learn carpentry on your own and create some basic woodworking projects , using some carpentry tools , but if you want to evolute and be better you need to gain more knowledge .

Yes , you can learn carpentry on your own at the beginning , but you’ll need some theoretical and practical training to continue and become , good .

Carpentry activity has no limitation , among people . The only thing that requires , is your truly love , interest and willingness to learn .

Watch – Try – make Mistakes – Learn – Repeat .

Of course , the trying – experimenting – mistaking – learning method , is attached to humans since they first appearance to earth .

How do you think the old time doctors discovered penicilin , several drugs , several medical methods to cure their patients , several methods to identify illnesses ?

How do you think the first inventors made their inventions , back in time ?

The first lamp , the first phone , the first rocket , gravity , weapons , construction techniques for their houses , the wheel , the first car and so many other discoveries ?

You know , whenever humans wanted to explore new horizons and areas they knew nothing , they just tried – experimenting – mistakening and repeating all this . This method has a very significant advantage .

The knowledge you learn from this mentality approach , you’ll never forget and all this , sharpens your intelligence .

A quick step-by step Guide , to learn carpentry , on your won .

1) Be 100% determined and sure for your desicion .

This will give you the motivation and the necessary willingness , not to stop in the first difficulties . Strong determination and belief are some very helpful and necessary “weapons” for you .

No steps back are “allowed” and if you enter this magnificent activity , the stress relief and happiness are certain , for the rest of your life .

Wood itself gives so much joy and inner warmth and it has the ability to “clean” you from the daily responsibilities and tons of stress .

2) You need to learn some Theory .

You’ll need to know some theoretical stuff for wood , the types of it , the correct drying process , how to identify its quality , how to identify its errors and enemies and gain general , but absolutely necessary knowledge .

Wood is the basic carpentry material and you cannot do much , if you have knowledge “gaps” . Take your time and learn as much as you can , accepting the fact that you’ll learning continuously .

3) You need to remember your Mathematical & Geometry theoretical knowledge .

Carpentry activity , needs some basic knowledge in the math and geometry area . Not “extreme things” and you don’t need to ba a mathematician , but you need to know the basic and maybe some more .

You’ll need to measure wood , count your supplies and be kind of an engineer thinker , in order to accomplish your plans . The basic maths , are important .

I’ve written a post for this , you can read it in HERE .

4) Learn about the woodworking tools and their use .

Without them you cannot do anything . We have hand tools and power ones and you’ll need a little time , to learn them all .

You’ll need a little more time to be “comfortable” with them and use them correctly , in order to create your carpentry projects .

I’ve written a post for the necessity of the woodworking tools , you can remember it , HERE .

Never “neglect” the safety measures . Never “neglect” their correct maintenance . I suggest you to follow the manufacturers official advices .

5) Attend physical & Online carpentry courses .

The youtube has “tons” of very helpful videos , of very experienced carpenters , who are creating marvelous wood projects and they explain the process .

Use also the very popular education platform the , www.udemy.com . Go to the woodworking field , make a suscpirtion and start learning . You can also inform what physical courses you can get , from the site of your Ministry of Education .

Every country – continent has its own methods and education system . Go to their site , inform , send some e-mails if needed and you’ll get what you need .

6) If you want to be a professional carpenter , a Diploma is needed .

I know that many professinaol carpenter have began their career , without any education background( and this isn’t bad ) , but in our times , a diploma from a carpentry school , is kind of necessary .

If you want to be a professional , this will give you prestige and seriousness . Big construction companies will pay attention at you and they’ll choose you from other woodworkers .

7) If you can be a Trainee to a professional , don’t hesitate , do it .

The experience and practical knowledge you’ll learn , being near to a professional carpenter , who works in real projects , is truly “gold” .

The most important is that your firstly mistakes , will be corrected immediatelly and this process makes the knowldege , never forgotten.

8) Volunteer to help , in order to attend Free seminars .

Many times during the year , free woodworking seminars from your city , your town hall , et.c are organized with only prerequisite from you , only your help .

Take part , meet other carpenters , share experiences and learn from the teachers for free . It’s a very nice process , being to seminars with other people who are having the same “thirst” with you .

9) Start with Basic carpentry projects and move to the more complex , when you gain Confidence .

You don’t need to hurry . If you hurry in your carpenter evolution progress , you may leave knowldege “behind” . Escalate to the more difficult porjects , only when you are certain for yourself and experience , you have .

It’s better to slow down for a couple of months , or whatever and learn what you have to learn perfectly , than to move forward faster than you should , having knowledge and serious experience deficiencies .

Just remember that before you act something on your wood project without being certain for this action , experiment first to a piece of wood , you don’t need .

10) While you’ll become better , don’t stop Experimenting .

As the times pases and you’ll become more experienced you should let yourself more “free” to express . Experiment to new technics you always thought they can work and make woodworking creations , you’ve never done before .

Let your artist self , free . Read carpentry books from all over the world and “open your horizons” to new ideas .

Don’t be afraid to start , continue to create woodworking projects and you’ll see “magic”, at the end of the day . Keep woodworking .