This introductory course presents the basic techniques and principles of house carpentry in an intensive three-day hands-on format. It is designed for those who can't come to our longer project-based one- and two-week workshops, but who want to learn to use the tools and materials for wood framing.

The course includes:

• the concepts of plumb, level and square, how they rule the framing process and how to track and measure them to keep your projects in "good shape"
• measuring angles and using basic construction geometry with the framing square for building roofs and stairs
• becoming competent with both hand and power tools to be able to measure and cut to within 1/32nd of an inch.
• extensive practice with power tools such as the table saw, portable circular saw, compound miter saw, as well as hand saws
• all tools for measuring, marking, cutting, shaping, attaching materials and deconstruction that you would typically find on a housebuilding project. We will also present the hand tool kit required to build a house, which can be carried in a single toolbox.
• the all-important techniques of sharpening edge tools and hand saws
• "tricks" of the trade to make your work easier and safer

All of the concepts in this course are also presented in our two-week comprehensive Homebuilding course, but this course does not include additional material on design, mechanical systems (plumbing, electrical and heating), closing in (doors, windows, roofing, siding, etc.), insulation and finish work. For those who want to learn more shop-based skills, such as using routers and joinery, we recommend our Fundamentals of Woodworking course. This course will not have a specific project to build as in our Woodworking and Carpentry for Women courses.