Getting Started

Introduction & Overview

There is something deeply satisfying about taking a rough piece of wood and turning it into something useful and beautiful with your own hands. Woodworking is one of the oldest crafts in human history, and it is just as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. Whether you are building a birdhouse, crafting a bookshelf, or carving a decorative bowl, woodwork teaches you to plan carefully, measure precisely, and solve problems creatively.

The Woodwork merit badge introduces you to the full journey of wood — from a living tree in the forest to a finished project in your hands. Along the way, you will learn to use hand tools safely, understand different species of wood, and design and build projects of your own.

Then and Now

Then — Building a World from Trees

For thousands of years, wood was the most important building material on Earth. Ancient Egyptians built river boats from cedar. Medieval carpenters raised the soaring timber frames of cathedrals without a single nail — using only hand-cut joints. Colonial Americans built entire homes, barns, and furniture using hand saws, planes, and chisels. A skilled woodworker was one of the most valued members of any community.

Purpose: Shelter, tools, transportation, furniture — survival itself
Mindset: Master the craft or go without

Now — The Maker’s Revival

Today, woodworking is experiencing a massive revival. The “maker movement” has inspired a new generation to pick up hand tools and learn traditional techniques. At the same time, modern technology like CNC routers, laser cutters, and 3D design software lets woodworkers push the boundaries of what is possible. Whether you prefer the quiet rhythm of a hand plane or the precision of a digital design, there has never been a better time to learn woodwork.

Purpose: Creative expression, practical skills, career paths, personal satisfaction
Mindset: Build something real — something you designed, measured, cut, and finished yourself

Get Ready! You are about to learn a craft that people have practiced for millennia. By the end of this badge, you will have the skills to walk into a workshop, pick up your tools, and build something you are proud of. Let’s get started.

A well-organized woodworking workshop with hand tools hanging on a pegboard wall, a sturdy workbench with wood shavings, and natural light streaming in

Kinds of Woodwork

Carpentry

Carpentry is the large-scale side of woodwork — framing houses, building decks, and constructing structures. Carpenters work with dimensional lumber (like 2x4s) and use tools like framing squares, circular saws, and levels. If you have ever watched a house go up, you have seen carpenters at work.

Cabinetmaking

Cabinetmakers build furniture, cabinets, and fine storage pieces. This branch of woodwork demands precision — doors must close perfectly, drawers must slide smoothly, and joints must be tight. Cabinetmakers often work with hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry.

Wood Carving

Wood carving transforms a solid block of wood into a three-dimensional object using chisels, gouges, and knives. Carvers create everything from wildlife sculptures to decorative architectural details. It is one of the most artistic branches of woodwork.

Woodturning

Woodturning uses a lathe — a machine that spins the wood while you shape it with special cutting tools. Turners create bowls, pens, table legs, and candlesticks. The lathe lets you produce perfectly round, symmetrical shapes that would be nearly impossible by hand.

Joinery

Joinery is the art of connecting pieces of wood without nails or screws. Traditional joints like dovetails, mortise and tenon, and finger joints rely on precise cutting and the natural strength of wood. A well-made joint can last for centuries.