I suppose like many of you I love woodworking so much that I would like to teach it to others. My community has a learning center where I can propose classes I would like to teach. I have several ideas, such as basic veneering and marquetry, but they all require basic tools. I can prepare student kits, but do you have students buy their own tools, do I include it in the price of the course? I am a retired teacher so organizing this will not be a problem. I would appreciate learning from any of you that have taught others how you have done it, what you have taught and how do you handle required tools. Thanks for your help.
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I have some experiencing teaching, and not to rain on your parade, but IMO it's difficult to teach (in a non-woodworking shop environment) in pretty much any area of woodworking because of the tools (hand and stationary) required. A typical community center just isn't set up for this - even for a class using only hand tools, without having sturdy workbenches and holding devices available, there's only so much that you can do. I know, I've struggled with this myself.
In addition, there is the issue of safety, not only with power tools, but even with sharp hand tools. I know that there are businesses that do this sort of thing (like Woodcraft), but they have dedicated workshops and have invested in proper tools.
Perhaps you can offer classes to 1-2 students at a time in you own workshop at home? If you do, make sure you have the proper homeowner's policy coverage and consider whether you need an umbrella policy as well.
I think David Marks taught at his home at one time.
There are some old timers volunteering at local HS as assistants in the woodworking shops. I'm hoping to do the same in 15-20 years
I have taken a lot of woodworking classes as a student. The woodcarving and woodturning classes provided everything you needed to get started. Made it really easy to try it. In both cases, I eventually went on to purchase my stuff. You have the additional challenge of not having a fixed location. I'd take that into account on what projects you could teach which require minimal tools and "benches/clamping surfaces". There is likely something there for do but you'd have to be clever about it. For eample, chip carving could be done with you bringing chip carving knives and the square bits of wood. Don't think you would even need clamps.
I'd make 2 calls... my insurance man to see if I need to alter anything, and my lawyer to draft a kickass release form. People can't seem to stay behind the pointy things they have in their own hands. My left hand thinks my right hand wants it dead.