Furniture Design Courses at Penn Foster Career School
Program Name:
Furniture & Cabinet Maker
| Instruction Set 1 |
Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
Safety
Safe use of hand and power tools used in the fine woodworking industry. |
| Instruction Set 2 |
Introduction to Fine Woodworking
How wood is processed; woodworking specialties, including cabinet and furniture making.
Your Workplace, Tools, and Materials
Setting up a workplace for the home worker; proper use and storage of tools and materials. |
| Instruction Set 3 |
Layout Techniques
Proper use of basic layout and marking tools; basic print reading skills.
Basic Joinery
Basic joinery identification and theory; step-by-step procedure for dovetailing, mortise and tenoning, and biscuiting.
Project 1: Layout of a Pattern
Equipment:
• Tape Measure
• Combination Square
• T-Bevel
• Wood |
| Instruction Set 4 |
Hardware Fasteners
Identification and description of fasteners; selecting fasteners best suited for a given application.
Box Making Basics
Joinery techniques required in the construction of fine boxes; applying joinery techniques to practical projects.
Advanced Joinery
Techniques such as hidden dovetailing and complex joinery; other advanced joints and their applications.
Project 2: Joinery Technique (Dovetail)
Equipment:
• Hammer
• Chisel Set
• Dovetail Saw
• C-Clamp
• Wood |
| Instruction Set 5 |
Selecting and Preparing a Finish
Choosing a finish; brushable, wipe-on, and sprayable finishes; preparing the wood for application; degreasing and dewaxing; sanding; scraping vs. sanding.
Applying Finishes and Topcoats
Coloring wood; common types of stains; applying stains; applying brushable, wipe-on, and sprayable finishes.
Project 3: Finishing
Textbook: The Woodfinishing Book
Equipment:
Assorted Sandpaper
Water-Based Satin
Satin Brush |
| Instruction Set 6 |
Cabinet Design
How cabinets are designed into a kitchen; designs based on materials and hardware; lamination.
Cabinet Construction
Case and drawer construction; faces and pulls; finishing.
Installing
Countertops, backsplashes, and cabinet installation.
Textbook: Making Kitchen Cabinets
DVD: Making Kitchen Cabinets
Supplement: Suggested Activity Journal
Suggested Activity: Building a Shop Caddy (optional) |
| Instruction Set 7 |
Furniture Design
How tables, chairs, and other functional furnishings are designed; do’s and don’ts of furniture design; styles of furniture.
Gluing Panels
Explanation and procedure for the proper manner of gluing panels for furniture.
Shaker Table Construction
The shaker style; step-by-step procedure for construction of a shaker table.
DVD: Build a Shaker Table
Suggested Activity: Building a Shaker Table (optional) |
| Instruction Set 8 |
Refinishing Furniture
Restoring and replacing finishes; repairing the finishes; stripping the finish; preparing the surface; French polish, wax polish, oil finishes; paint, varnish, and lacquer.
Refacing Cabinets
Measuring for doors and drawer fronts; ordering materials; preparing for refacing; veneering face frames; refacing with plastic laminate.
Textbooks:
• Care and Repair of Furniture
• Refacing Cabinets
Suggested Activity: Refinishing Your Own Property (optional)
Supplement: Work Experience Option |
Program description: The Penn Foster Career School Furniture and Cabinet Maker Program helps you learn them quickly and conveniently. Learn woodworking techniques and create beautiful pieces of furniture in just a few months!
You'll learn about:
Fine woodworking, woodworking specialties,
and wood processing
Setting up your workplace, woodworking tools
and materials.
Joinery, box making basics, hardware fasteners, finishing wood
Cabinet design, construction, refinishing
and refacing.
Marketing your woodworking shop
And you'll learn it all at home — no classroom needed!
Start a creative, moneymaking career in Furniture and Cabinet Making.
Why complete a training program to work in Furniture and Cabinet Making or woodworking? With the right credentials, techniques, and training, you can:
Work for a furniture retail store or furniture and cabinet repair shop.
Work at a home improvement store or for a cabinet manufacturer.
Start your own woodworking shop and specialize in custom furniture and cabinet making.
Woodworkers are needed by furniture and cabinet manufacturers, repair shops, and suppliers. Opportunity is everywhere!