As woodworkers, we use a variety of materials in our craft: Solid wood in the form of hardwoods and softwoods; domestic and imported woods; plywood; MDF; melamine; multi-ply plywood;, and more.
Like choosing the right tool for the job, it’s important to choose the correct material. That’s why we created this class. We want to help you better understand the material you’re working with, and educate you about materials you may not be familiar with.
In addition to understanding material, it’s also important to understand what happens behind the scenes. How are trees converted to lumber? How are hardwoods ordered? What’s the difference between particle board, MDF and plywood?
This class comprehensively covers:
- Man-made materials (plywood, MDF, particle board, melamine, multi-ply, grades)
- Where to buy quality materials
- Milling lumber (plain sawing, quarter sawing, air drying, kiln drying)
- Using construction grade lumber
- Hardwood, softwood, and what those names mean
- Mastering board foot calculations
- Hardwood grading (firsts and seconds, select and better, #1 common)
- Paying for machining (surface two sides; straight line one edge)
- Veneers
- Incorporating defects into your projects (wane, spalting, blue stain, insect holes)
- Exotic/imported woods
Having this information at your fingertips will make you a more educated consumer, help you save money on your projects, and ensure that you’re choosing the best material for the job at hand.
Bonus materials available after purchase
Printable Class Guide PDF
Download and print this PDF Guide to complement your Class. It’s a great reference for the various materials you’ll see covered in the class video.
Video: Meet Your Instructor
Download this short video to meet your class instructor, George Vondriska.
Video: More about Materials
Download this short video to hear George talk more about the importance of knowing about material choices and determining what’s best for your projects
How do I know what the Class covers?
Every Class has a free Preview video you can watch, to give you a flavor of the Instructor and the skills or project that will be covered. In addition, the Overview tab includes a thorough written description of the Class. And finally, each Class Session has a brief written summary of the content in that Session, including the length of each Session video. You will get a good feel for the Class content by reviewing these resources.
Can I view a Class on my tablet device or mobile phone?
No problem. Most newer model smartphones or other mobile/tablet devices with an internet connection are able to play the class videos. Simply log in to CRAFT & HOBBY, and you can view any class.
How do I access the Bonus Materials for the class?
Go to view your class, and each individual bonus element is accessible by simply clicking on each item. You’ll find the bonus materials directly below your main class viewer frame. You can access the bonus materials as many times as you would like and/or save them to your device.
Can I print out Class details?
For any Bonus Material that is a PDF Download, yes you can. Just click on the icon/button for the Bonus element you want, and print with your local printer.
What are PDF downloads?
These are simply documents, plans, or written materials that are formatted in a way to print out and retain for reference. By simply clicking on the icon/link for any PDF Download that is included with a Class, you can print that document on your own printer or simply view the contents on your computer/mobile device.
Are there any system requirements to view the Class video content?
Your Class video content is best when viewed on a computer manufactured in the past couple of years with a good broadband Internet connection (not dialup). We also highly recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your Internet Browser, though recent versions of Internet Explorer will work as well. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 or larger.
How do I contact Craft And Hobby?
If your question is about the Class content, please use the Class Discussion benefit to ask your question online – and you'll receive feedback from the Class Instructor. Even your fellow Class participants may jump in to offer tips and advice from their experience. If you have other questions or need help, you can email us at craftandhobby@program-director.net or call us toll-free, at 1-833-363-1239. Service Representatives will be available Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central time, excluding normal holidays.
