1-on-1 Private Instruction

NOTE: This class can be scheduled at other times than listed. Call the Concord store and ask about the kind of instruction you want, and we'll figure out a time tat works for you and your instructor!

Want focused help on exactly what you want to learn—without waiting for a group class to cover it? This 2.5-hour private session is tailored to your goals, your pace, and your project. Whether you’re brand new and want confidence with core tools, or you’re experienced and want to level up a specific technique, you’ll get hands-on coaching and practical takeaways you can use immediately.

You can bring a project you’re working on, start something new, or use the session purely to build skills. We’ll help you choose a realistic objective for the time, then spend the session cutting, building, tuning, troubleshooting, and practicing—together.

What You Can Work On

Below are examples of popular goals students choose for private instruction. Pick one focus area—or combine a couple if they fit comfortably into the session.

Tool Confidence & Safety (Beginner-Friendly)

• Table saw basics: straight cuts, ripping vs crosscutting, safe setups
• Miter saw accuracy: repeatable cuts, stop blocks, clean miters
• Router fundamentals: edge profiles, dados/rabbets, template routing
• Band saw basics: curve cutting, resawing fundamentals, blade selection
• Drill press basics: accurate holes, Forstner bits, jigs for repeatability
• Random orbit sanding: grit progression, avoiding swirl marks, prep for finish
• Dust collection + shop workflow: safer, cleaner, more efficient setups

Accuracy, Layout, and “Making Things Square”

• How to measure and mark for precision (without overcomplicating it)
• Squaring assemblies, clamping strategy, and avoiding twist
• Cutting parts to final dimension and keeping them consistent
• Fixing common issues: gaps, out-of-square panels, misaligned edges

Joinery Skills (Pick Your Style)

• Pocket-hole joinery done right (strong, clean, consistent)
• Dados/rabbets for cabinets and casework
• Box joints / finger joints
• Mortise & tenon fundamentals
• Dowels vs Domino-style joinery concepts
• Biscuit joinery and alignment tricks
• Splines for stronger miters
• Half-laps and frame construction basics

Cabinet & Furniture Building Help

• Building a cabinet carcass (breakdown, joinery, assembly)
• Face frames: sizing, joinery, clamping, flush alignment
• Drawer boxes: sizing, squaring, joinery options
• Installing drawer slides (side-mount or undermount strategies)
• Door fitting: hinge placement, reveals, consistent gaps
• Shelving: adjustable pin systems, shelf standards, clean installs

Wood + Epoxy Skills

• Mixing, tinting, and controlling bubbles
• Mold building and sealing
• Pours for charcuterie boards, drink flights, inlays, void fills
• Flattening and sanding epoxy safely for clarity and a smooth finish
• Troubleshooting: tacky cures, fisheyes, cloudiness, edge chipping

Finishing (One of the Most Popular Uses of Private Time)

• Choosing the right finish: oil, hardwax oil, poly, lacquer, shellac
• Blotch control on maple/cherry, preconditioning techniques
• Film finishes vs penetrating finishes: what to use when
• Fixing mistakes: dust nibs, runs, streaks, uneven sheen
• Food-safe finishing for cutting boards: oil/wax systems + maintenance
• Spraying basics (if applicable): setup, technique, and cleanup

Sharpening & Edge Tools

• Chisel and plane iron sharpening fundamentals
• Honing guides vs freehand
• Setting up and tuning a hand plane for smooth results
• Using chisels cleanly for joinery and fitting

Project Rescue / Troubleshooting

Stuck mid-build? Bring it in.

• Diagnose why something doesn’t fit and how to correct it
• Repairing tear-out, chip-out, or blowout
• Flattening a warped panel or improving glue-up results
• Fixing a wobbly table, loose joints, or misaligned parts
• Salvaging a finish that went sideways

Design & Planning Support

• Turning an idea into a cut list
• Material selection: species, grain direction, stability concerns
• Hardware planning: hinges, slides, knobs/pulls
• How to build for strength, movement, and durability

What You’ll Leave With

• A clear next-step plan for your project or skill path
• Hands-on practice with real-time coaching and corrections
• Techniques you can repeat at home with confidence
• (Often) a partially completed project or a finished skill exercise

Helpful Notes

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Experience Level: All levels welcome
• Bring: Your questions, photos/sketches, or your project pieces (optional)
• Materials: Depending on the focus, materials may be included or may be purchased separately—your instructor will help you choose what makes sense.