When is a tablesaw actually a router or a miter saw? When you can use it for box-joints, dados, rabbets, angled cuts, and other essential woodworking.

Featuring one of the most versatile and frequently used tools in carpentry and woodworking, Tablesaw Bootcamp provides essentials on maximizing use of your tablesaw in cabinetry, furniture-making, and more. (BONUS: save on shop space and tool costs!)

Skill level: Novice/Intermediate students who want to level up their tablesaw use.

Topics covered (all on the tablesaw):
* Basic tablesaw maintenance and safety
* Cross-cuts, rip-cuts, and miter-cuts
* Joinery (box-joint, finger-joint, rabbet, dado)
* Tablesaw accessories for safety and advanced uses (miter gauges, featherboards, etc.)

This class features the circular saw (aka "skillsaw") in making sawhorses that are, in an unexpected plot twist, very useful when using a circular saw. Bring home new skills AND a pair of these sawhorses to “support” your DIY habits!

Skill level: Beginners welcome; no previous experience necessary.

Topics covered:
* How to measure and mark accurately
* Circular saw and chopsaw / miter saw, for straight and angled cuts
* Drilling and driving screws - getting it right

Learn how to transform rough or imperfect lumber into material that's square, flat, and ready to go. This process is fundamental to any custom woodworking project. Class will focus on reclaimed lumber, but the skills and processes apply to new materials as well.

Skill level: This class is designed for students who want to learn how to turn salvaged or rough-sawn lumber into finished materials ready for a furniture or craft project. A great next step for folks who have taken an Intro to Carpentry class (or equivalent) and want to tackle finer woodworking.

Age limit: Open to ages 16+ (minors will need a signed youth waiver.)

Skills & info covered:
* selecting wood (grain, knots, cracks, and other qualities)
* dealing with defects
* how to "dress" and "surface" four square faces using tablesaw, bandsaw, planer, jointer
* achieving uniform thickness & width
* Q&A - why flat and square is important

* Women's classes are a safe and supportive learning environment specifically for women to develop carpentry skills.

A garden bench, a plant stand, or maybe a catch-all next to the front door - come with basic measurements and leave with your new piece of custom furniture! (Project sizes are limited to approx. 3' wide by 2' deep by 2' tall.)

Using a very simple design and reclaimed lumber available in class, you’ll make a simple table or bench while gaining skills and confidence to use in future DIY projects.

Skill level: This class is built for beginners; open to ages 16+ (minors will need a signed youth waiver.)

Topics covered:
* measuring & marking accurately
* handsaw and chopsaw: basic use & safety
* drilling & driving screws: getting it right
* nail guns

Build fundamental skills and know-how for your dream project - shed, tiny house, or maybe a woodshop of your own! Learn how to measure, lay out, and assemble wall framing through a mix of lecture, discussion, and hands-on practice. We'll also discuss how to tie your new skills in to other stages of construction, both before and after wall framing.

Skill level: This class is built for beginners; open to ages 16+ (minors will need a signed youth waiver.)

Students will learn how to:
* use essential hand tools and power tools for wall framing
* interpret project drawings and plans, including terminology
* frame for window and door openings
* check for plumb, square, and level

Learn how to accurately cut and assemble pieces to make a storage cube - aka "a box." Sounds deceptively simple, but the skills you'll acquire are the building blocks of furniture, cabinets, or even just more boxes!

Stack big ones for a modular shelf. Group small ones for countertop storage. Add wheels and an upholstered top for an ottoman with storage space inside.

Skill level: This class is built for beginners; open to ages 16+ (minors will need a signed youth waiver.)

Topics covered:
* measuring & marking accurately
* checking for square / corrections
* basic tablesaw use & safety
* assembly: nail guns and power drills

* Women's classes are a safe and supportive learning environment specifically for women to develop carpentry skills.

Come learn how to fix common plumbing problems without having to hire a plumber. Leaky faucets, running toilets, cracked fixtures, dripping drains... these things happen all the time. We'll cover repairs as well as replacement of sink faucets and drains, water supply hoses, and toilets.

Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or remodeler, you'll want to DIY the crap of these simple fixes! (Water-saving kits for each student are generously provided by the Portland Water Bureau. Scholarships and 1/2 scholarship tickets also made available in part by PWB)

Make a sweet little partitioned box out of reclaimed wood, and use the same skills on other projects at home, like spice racks, drawer dividers, or knick-knack shelves. We'll explore mitered corners, recessed joinery, and corner clamping.

Project sizes are limited to 12" wide x 4" deep x 4" high, with 2 compartments. Perfect for storing tea, or gaming cards, or...? (Lids will lift off, rather than being hinged, to reinforce joinery learned in class.)

Skill level: Basic familiarity with either chopsaw or tablesaw required, such as a previous Intro to Carpentry class with us.

Topics covered:
* measuring and cutting miter joints
* simple tablesaw joinery - rabbets & dados
* DIY clamping methods under $5
* finishing options

Adding 3-way light switches to stairways, long halls, or large rooms can improve safety and convenience in your home by allowing you to turn a light on or off from two different locations. GFCI's can be installed to replace older outlets, protect ungrounded circuits, or keep new wiring code-compliant. Through a mix of lecture, Q&A discussion, and hands-on practice, this class will teach you how to tackle these two popular updates to a home's electrical system.

Skill level: Students should already be familiar with how to strip wire and make safe connections to outlets and light switches, such as having attended one of our Intro to Electrical for Homeowners classes.

Topics covered:
* what a GFCI is, how they work, and where they're required
* how to install a GFCI either as a stand-alone outlet or as part of a branch circuit
* 3-way light switches, how they work, and options for wiring them
* how to test for proper wiring before and after installation

A garden bench, a plant stand, or maybe a catch-all next to the front door - come with basic measurements and leave with your new piece of custom furniture! Using a very simple design and reclaimed lumber available in class, you’ll make a simple table or bench while gaining skills and confidence to use in future DIY projects.

(Maximum dimensions: 3' wide x 2' tall x 2' deep)

Skill level: This class is built for beginners; open to ages 16+ (minors will need a signed youth waiver.)

Topics covered:
* measuring & marking accurately
* handsaw and chopsaw: basic use & safety
* drilling & driving screws: getting it right
* nail guns

When is a tablesaw actually a router or a miter saw? When you can use it for box-joints, dados, rabbets, angled cuts, and other essential woodworking.

Featuring one of the most versatile and frequently used tools in carpentry and woodworking, Tablesaw Bootcamp provides essentials on maximizing use of your tablesaw in cabinetry, furniture-making, and more. (BONUS: save on shop space and tool costs!)

Come learn how to fix common plumbing problems without having to hire a plumber. Leaky faucets, running toilets, cracked fixtures, dripping drains... these things happen all the time. We'll cover repairs as well as replacement of sink faucets and drains, water supply hoses, and toilets.

Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or remodeler, you'll want to DIY the crap of these simple fixes! (Water-saving kits for each student are generously provided by the Portland Water Bureau. Scholarships and 1/2 scholarship tickets also made available in part by PWB)

Build fundamental skills and know-how for your dream project - shed, tiny house, or maybe a woodshop of your own! Learn how to measure, lay out, and assemble wall framing through a mix of lecture, discussion, and hands-on practice. We'll also discuss how to tie your new skills in to other stages of construction, both before and after wall framing.

A step stool, a toddler's seat, a monitor stand, or even a DIY version of a Squatty Potty, this simple design can be adapted to a range of uses. New skills + new stool = win!

Learn how to safely replace outlets, switches, and light fixtures. These simple skills can save you tons on an electrician's bill or a home remodel, or even bring an old lamp back to life. Lots of hands-on practice along with loads of info to help you decide which projects to tackle yourself, and when to ask for expert help.

Make a sweet little partitioned box out of reclaimed wood, and use the same skills on other projects at home, like spice racks, drawer dividers, or knick-knack shelves. We'll explore mitered corners, recessed joinery, and corner clamping.

Project sizes are limited to 12" wide x 4" deep x 4" high, with 2 compartments. Perfect for storing tea, or gaming cards, or...? (Lids will lift off, rather than being hinged, to reinforce joinery learned in class.)

Come learn how to fix common plumbing problems without having to hire a plumber. Leaky faucets, running toilets, cracked fixtures, dripping drains... these things happen all the time. We'll cover repairs as well as replacement of sink faucets and drains, water supply hoses, and toilets.

Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or remodeler, you'll want to DIY the crap of these simple fixes! (Water-saving kits for each student are generously provided by the Portland Water Bureau. Scholarships and 1/2 scholarship tickets also made available in part by PWB)

A garden bench, a plant stand, or maybe a catch-all next to the front door - come with basic measurements and leave with your new piece of custom furniture! (Project sizes are limited to approx. 3' wide by 2' deep by 2' tall.)

Using a very simple design and reclaimed lumber available in class, you’ll make a simple table or bench while gaining skills and confidence to use in future DIY projects.

Learn how to transform rough or imperfect lumber into material that's square, flat, and ready to go. This process is fundamental to any custom woodworking project. Class will focus on reclaimed lumber, but the skills and processes apply to new materials as well.

A garden bench, a plant stand, or maybe a catch-all next to the front door - come with basic measurements and leave with your new piece of custom furniture! Using a very simple design and reclaimed lumber available in class, you’ll make a simple table or bench while gaining skills and confidence to use in future DIY projects.

Learn how to safely replace outlets, switches, and light fixtures. These simple skills can save you tons on an electrician's bill or a home remodel. Lots of hands-on practice along with loads of info to help you decide which projects to tackle yourself, and when to ask for expert help.

Come help build backyard gardens and learn the process to build a garden of your own! Volunteers will meet at a neighborhood park (either in North, outer Northeast or outer Southeast Portland) and carpool out to sites. Rain or Shine! Space is limited. For more information contact: emily@growing-gardens.org

A step stool, a toddler's seat, a monitor stand, or even a DIY version of a Squatty Potty, this simple design can be adapted to a range of uses. New skills + new stool = win!

Join us to install new native plants in the freshly depaved raingardens and native understory at Plaza 122!

Everyone is welcome to this all-ages event. We’ll provide gloves and all required tools as well as snacks and drinks. Volunteer orientation and warm-up start promptly at 10, please arrive on time if possible or bring a second wind to join in later.

Adding 3-way light switches to stairways, long halls, or large rooms can improve safety and convenience in your home by allowing you to turn a light on or off from two different locations. GFCI's can be installed to replace older outlets, protect ungrounded circuits, or keep new wiring code-compliant. Through a mix of lecture, Q&A discussion, and hands-on practice, this class will teach you how to tackle these two popular updates to a home's electrical system.

Learn how to safely replace outlets, switches, and light fixtures. These simple skills can save you tons on an electrician's bill or a home remodel, or even bring an old lamp back to life. Lots of hands-on practice along with loads of info to help you decide which projects to tackle yourself, and when to ask for expert help.

Make a sweet little partitioned box out of reclaimed wood, and use the same skills on other projects at home, like spice racks, drawer dividers, or knick-knack shelves. We'll explore mitered corners, recessed joinery, and corner clamping.

Project sizes are limited to 12" wide x 4" deep x 4" high, with 2 compartments. Perfect for storing tea, or gaming cards, or...? (Lids will lift off, rather than being hinged, to reinforce joinery learned in class.)