Tag: cabinet making courses
To the untrained eye, all wood types may appear somewhat similar, apart from slight variations in colour. However, cabinet makers know that not all woods are created equal. Each has its own grain, texture, and density that makes it well-suited for a particular purpose – and it’s up to cabinet makers to discover what that purpose is.
Generally speaking, hardwoods like maple and hickory are great for projects requiring sturdy framing, whereas softer woods like fir and spruce are ideal for pieces like baseboards and wall studs. But even within these two overarching categories are a wide variety of wood types with unique characteristics.
If you’re interested in cabinet making school, read on to learn all about the popular types of wood you’ll encounter in your studies!
Pine: A Popular Wood Type for Construction
This lightweight softwood is an excellent choice for structural projects such as roof trusses and joists because it is unlikely to swell and shrink. Couple that with its amber colouring and knotty characteristics and you’ve got a wood type that adds a rustic effect to cottages, cabins, lodges, and more. If your pine project is exposed to the elements, however, it’s important to treat it beforehand to prevent it from rotting over time.
Maple: A Durable Wood Cabinet Making School Graduates Will Love
With a smooth, even wood grain and an ability to work well with a variety of finishes, maple is a popular choice for home decor pieces. It is also one of the hardest types of cabinetry wood, making it great for durability as well as design.
Maple cabinets usually come in a creamy white hue, but a cabinet door panel may feature some reddish-brown colouring. You will also find yellow and pink tones in the wood, along with tan coloured mineral streaks that darken with stain.
Oak: A Common Wood You’ll Encounter in Cabinet Making Courses
If you’re interested in cabinet making training, you’ll quickly learn about the power and popularity of oak. This versatile wood has been used in fine furniture for years and offers numerous variations to suit a wide variety of projects.
Red oak – especially selections with complex flame or arched grain patterns – is one of the most popular hardwoods for cabinets. White oak, in contrast, offers straighter grains but tends to be more expensive.
Spruce: A Sturdy Wood Selection for Cabinet Makers
If you’re looking for the perfect wood type for economy or utility purposes, spruce fits the bill. When it comes to softwoods, spruce is more dense and solid than pine. However, its straight grain exhibits less character than other softwoods, so it’s used more for its strength than its style.
Curious to learn more about cabinet making courses?
Contact NATS for more information about our programs.
However, many of the tools and techniques that are still used today are rooted in history. For example, many hand tools are variations of those used in Ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian traditions.
Read on to discover more about the history of cabinet making and its lasting impact on the trade today.
Earliest Examples of Woodwork and Cabinet Making
By definition, cabinets are furniture used to store things and usually feature doors, drawers and/or shelves. It’s thought that early human civilizations used wooden cabinets to protect food products and fire wood from rain and vermin. Archeologists have found evidence that Neanderthals used stone and bone to work wood over 300,000 years ago – which is probably how the first ever cabinets were made!
In the Renaissance era, cabinets became more prestigious items, and would be made of precious wood and feature intricate detailing like marquetry. The cabinet was no longer just a simple storage unit – it was a work of art.
André Charles Boulle was one of the most famous cabinet makers of this era, and his work remains on display at museums and galleries across Europe. It’s well worth seeking these pieces out at some point in your cabinet making training if you want to see the work of a true master of the craft.
Around this time, cabinets were used to store paper and valuable possessions. Cabinet makers started to introduce writing areas, which led to the invention of bureaus and desks with cabinets.
Cabinets were made larger and larger, and were often the most dominant piece of furniture in a room. All of this combined meant that cabinet makers were one of the most highly regarded woodworkers.
The Industrial Revolution and Introduction of Power Tools Used in Cabinet Making Training
The industrial revolution in the 18th century impacted almost all trades. Electricity was then invented in the mid-19th century, and these two factors changed the cabinet making trade forever.
The industrial revolution changed the cabinet making industry forever
The circular saw was invented at the end of the 18th century, and meant that cabinet makers and carpenters could cut wood much faster. And in 1895, the first ever electric hand drill was invented. Variations of both of these inventions are still used in cabinet making courses today.
Cabinet Making Post-World War 2
In the 1950s, cabinet making became a popular hobby. People would spend time designing and building their own bespoke cabinets.
For professional cabinet makers in the 1950s, technical advances were continuing to transform the trade. The invention of numerical control machines meant that cabinet makers could now ensure that they were cutting all wood the same length and dimension without having to spend time measuring and double-checking.
The Cabinet Maker Today
Nowadays, cabinet makers need to know how to cut, shape, and join wood, and they need to be familiar using hand and power tools. Cabinets themselves have also changed. A cabinet is no longer the centre of the room, but often refers to built-in kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
While the cabinet making trade has changed throughout history, it remains an in-demand profession worldwide, and a very rewarding one.
Are you interested in cabinet making courses?
Contact North American Trade Schools to find out more!
A Guide to Architectural Millwork If You’re Considering Cabinet Making School
December 12, 2019
Architectural millwork adds to the aesthetics of a building and is often a major part of what people notice and remember about a structure. Produced in a mill, millwork is manufactured to create decorative elements both for the interior and exterior of a building. Millwork can refer to doors, crown molding, baseboards, mantels, window casings and more.
Cabinet making is a skill that can lead to work in this field, as both require a technical and creative understanding of woodwork. Millwork also requires a good understanding of many elements, since building directly into a structure means interacting with other parts of it. Read on for some more things you should know about architectural millwork before graduating!
Millwork After Cabinet Making School Requires Diverse Knowledge
Millwork involves building decorative wooden elements directly into a building. Things like plumbing and lighting are affected by this, as these elements can interact with one another. Having a good basic knowledge of other trades is helpful and it is essential to know where elements are located in a structure to avoid problems or interference.
Since millwork is usually custom made, every job will be unique. The more diverse and extensive your knowledge is, the more you will be able to adapt to different rooms or environments when doing millwork. The projects you encounter will have to adapt to various layouts, dimensions and requirements. Cabinet making school is a great place to start understanding different types of projects and how to keep track of measurements and designs.
Architectural Millwork on Exteriors After Cabinet Making School
Architectural millwork refers to millwork made to fit in with the (often exterior) decor of a building. This could be elements such as trim and more elaborate details on the outside of a structure, like accents and moldings. Usually, exterior architectural millwork is done before millwork on the inside of a building. Architectural millwork can be done in a variety of styles and can be highly individualized.
An example of variation in exterior moldings is classical or ancient moldings versus gothic and medieval. The former have Grecian/Roman influence, while medieval and gothic styles draw from flora and fauna for inspiration.
Why Cabinet Making Matters for Architecture
A major difference between millwork and mass-produced pieces is the element of customization. When mass-produced pieces are used in spaces, they cannot be adapted to specific layouts or dimensions. This interferes with the overall look and style, which is important for architectural value. With customized pieces, woodwork can be designed and created to fit with the space, instead of finding a way to make the space work with the piece. Cabinet making training may lead you to working in the field of architectural millwork, which allows more opportunity for beauty and cohesive design.
A very important part of cabinetmaking is choosing materials. In custom projects, materials can make the difference when trying to achieve a look. Not only lumber, but also hardware for cabinets will affect the way that they are received. Architectural millwork can be a fulfilling path if you are interested in combining creativity with technical knowledge to improve spaces and environments.
Are you interested in cabinet making courses?
Contact North American Trade Schools to learn more.
Cabinetmaking is a traditional craft, but with training and experience you will discover there is a lot of opportunity for your creativity to flourish within it. Making kitchen cabinets is one of the many ways to blend technical skills, knowledge, and personality into your cabinetmaking work.
The kitchen is one of the most versatile rooms in the house. Of course, people cook, but they also socialize, host dinners, and spend quality time with their family and friends in the kitchen. For many it is the room in the house that will be the most worn and torn.
That’s why there is a lot to think through before you start making cabinets to fit into the life of a kitchen. Here are a few tips to get started.
1. Manage Your Time and Client Expectations
After cabinetmaking school you will have a lot of opportunities to work with clients in different situations. It is always important to manage your time so that your clients know what to expect and when, but even more so if your clients are waiting to get back into their kitchen.
Discuss your plan with the client and ask lots of questions. How do they use the space? What do their dream cabinets look like? Are they looking to increase the value of their home in order to sell it in the near future? Answering these questions will help you devise a solid plan and an accurate estimate for your client so they know what to expect in terms of budget and time.
2. Use Your Cabinetmaking Training to Choose the Right Materials
An important aspect of the cabinetmaking trade is knowing how to identify and choose the right materials. Kitchen cabinet doors are sometimes made from laminate, which is a less expensive option, but it is likely you will be deciding between medium dense fiberboard (MDF), wood and plywood cabinets.
While this decision may be made by the client, with your cabinetmaking training you should be ready to give advice on their options. For example, if a client wants a stained wood look, then MDF should be avoided. But if they want to paint the cabinets a certain colour, MDF is likely the best choice. If there are any large doors in your cabinet design, it may be worthwhile to consider plywood, which is lighter and costs less than woods like maple.
Another set of choices to talk to clients about will be hardware and whether or not the cabinets will include things like a ‘Lazy Suzan’ or pantry pullouts. In all cases, make sure the hardware is durable because these are the moving parts that help keep a kitchen functional.
3. Plan an Efficient Installation
Before ordering materials take detailed notes of where things like plumbing, electrical outlets, and appliances are. Planning is essential to an efficient installation and there are cabinet making courses that include how to read blueprints and building layouts taught by experienced professional instructors.
In addition to the cabinet materials and hardware, make a plan for gaps. Walls are not always straight and floors are not always level so cabinet filler pieces or shims will come in handy. When you are ready to install, start high with the wall cabinets then move to the floor cabinets. By using a bench march and those filler pieces to keep everything on the level, you will be done in no time.
Want to learn more about cabinetmaking school?
Contact North American Trades School for more information!
Cabinetmaking is a craft that combines the traditional art of carpentry with the most sophisticated woodworking instruments. For someone who enjoys woodworking, learning about cabinetmaking can open up exciting career opportunities. While cabinetmaking encompasses everything from the identification and selection of the finest wood, to the reading of designs, to the operation of woodworking equipment, one aspect remains perhaps the most critical: safety.
The skills that you learn in cabinetmaking school must be applied with safety always at the top of your mind. If you might be interested in a career as a cabinetmaker and you want to avoid injury, keep reading to learn some essential safety tips!
1. Where You’re Working is as Important as How You’re Working
When working in cabinetmaking, you might decide to eventually begin your own business or simply do some projects on the side in your workshop. Ensuring that the space you work in is safe should be a top priority.
If you, like many woodworking specialists, decide to set up your headquarters in your personal garage or on your property, you need to make sure that the space meets safety standards. You must consider suitable ventilation, fire hazards, and emergency protocol. Remember that while you may not be in a commercial shop, you too must take safety just as seriously if you decide to go out on your own after cabinetmaking school!
2. What You Wear Can Help Protect You from Safety Hazards
Every woodworker should have the right personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear. While sporting the appropriate PPE might seem an obvious recommendation, injuries as a result of non-adequate protection represent a significant percentage of woodworking injuries. One of the reasons for this, ironically, is expertise. Sometimes, when a professional feels overly confident in their abilities, they decide to omit some of the basic PPE. And although they have achieved mastery of their craft, certain things cannot be predicted regardless of experience. A malfunctioning piece of equipment kicking back and chipping a particle of wood or metal into an unprotected eye can cause irreversible damage!
When you’re equipping yourself for the job, make sure you also pay special attention to:
- Clothing (avoid baggy, floating clothes that might get caught in the machinery)
- Jewelry (a long chain of loose bracelet might also be a hazard)
- Hair (if you’ve got long hair, make sure it’s tied up so it doesn’t get caught in the equipment)
3. Get to Know Your Tools and Equipment in Cabinet Making Training
Another important aspect of safe woodworking practice is the equipment that you are using. You’ll learn in cabinet making training about how to safely use woodworking tools and equipment. You should know what tool is required for what job, and you should know how that tool can be used most effectively. You should always verify that the tool is in adequate condition. For example, there is common a misconception that a sharp blade is more dangerous than a dull blade when, in fact, a dull blade risks getting caught or kicking.
Soliciting help is another important part of safety. If you are operating a tool with which you have little experience, or if you know that a specific task will be easier with the assistance of a fellow woodworker, then it might be a good idea to get help. Be careful, however, to only get help from people who are properly trained!
Are you interested in cabinet making courses?
Check out North American Trade Schools to learn about our programs.
