Joinery Training Course

Lesson 1 • Timber and Board Materials

Surveys softwoods, hardwoods, and engineered boards used in interior joinery. Material selection criteria are linked to project requirements covered throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Reading Drawings and Specifications

Introduces architectural drawings, joinery schedules, and written specifications. Students interpret symbols and dimensions needed for all subsequent practical tasks.

Lesson 3 • The Interior Joinery Trade

Defines the scope of interior joinery and its role in construction. Establishes professional expectations and career pathways for new entrants.

Lesson 4 • Workplace Health and Safety

Covers compulsory safety practices, personal protective equipment, and hazard identification. Connects safe behaviour to legal obligations and site compliance.

Lesson 1 • Saws and Cutting Techniques

Teaches correct use of tenon, panel, coping, and dovetail saws. Controlled hand-sawing produces accurate components for jointing and assembly.

Lesson 2 • Planes and Surface Preparation

Explains bench planes, block planes, and shoulder planes for truing and fitting. Flat, square surfaces are prerequisites for tight-fitting joints.

Lesson 3 • Measuring and Marking Tools

Covers tapes, rules, squares, marking gauges, and scribing tools. Accurate marking directly determines joint quality in all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 4 • Chisels and Paring Skills

Develops controlled chisel technique for chopping, paring, and cleaning joints. Precise chisel work underpins mortise-and-tenon and housing joint quality.

Lesson 1 • Stationary Machines in the Workshop

Covers table saws, band saws, planers, and thicknessers for batch production. Machine-prepared stock ensures consistent dimensions for assembly and fitting.

Lesson 2 • Routers and Routing Techniques

Introduces fixed-base and plunge routers for rebates, grooves, and profiles. Router work enables decorative and structural details central to interior joinery.

Lesson 3 • Circular Saws and Jigsaws

Teaches setup, guiding, and blade selection for circular saws and jigsaws. Accurate freehand and guided cuts reduce waste and improve component fit.

Lesson 4 • Sanders and Finishing Machines

Explains belt, orbital, and detail sanders for surface preparation before finishing. Consistent sanding sequences prevent scratches visible under applied coatings.

Lesson 1 • Butt Joints and Reinforced Connections

Covers basic butt joints strengthened with dowels, biscuits, and pocket screws. These quick connections are widely used in carcass and frame construction.

Lesson 2 • Dovetail Joints

Covers hand-cut and router-jig dovetails for drawer boxes and decorative panels. Dovetails resist pulling forces and signal high-quality craftsmanship.

Lesson 3 • Mortise-and-Tenon Joints

Develops hand-cut and machine-cut mortise-and-tenon joints for frames and doors. This joint provides maximum strength and is central to traditional joinery.

Lesson 4 • Housing and Dado Joints

Teaches through, stopped, and tapered housing joints for shelving and partitions. Accurate housings distribute load and prevent racking in fitted furniture.

Lesson 1 • Door Hardware Installation

Covers mortise locks, latches, handles, and closers for interior doors. Correct hardware installation ensures smooth operation and security performance.

Lesson 2 • Door Types and Selection

Surveys flush, panel, glazed, and fire-rated door constructions and their applications. Correct door selection ensures compliance with performance and safety requirements.

Lesson 3 • Door Frame and Lining Construction

Covers head, jamb, and sill components for solid and hollow-wall applications. Frame construction accuracy determines plumb, level, and square door operation.

Lesson 4 • Architrave and Door Stop Fitting

Explains mitred and butt-jointed architrave sets and planted door stops. Neat trim work conceals frame gaps and delivers a finished interior appearance.

Lesson 1 • Balustrade and Handrail Systems

Explains newel post installation, spindle spacing, and handrail jointing. Balustrade systems must meet fall-prevention performance requirements at all heights.

Lesson 2 • Stair Assembly Techniques

Covers gluing, wedging, and blocking stair components for rigidity and silence. Proper assembly prevents squeaking and structural movement over time.

Lesson 3 • String, Tread, and Riser Components

Teaches setting out, cutting, and housing strings, treads, and risers. Accurate component preparation is essential before assembly and installation.

Lesson 4 • Stair Installation and Finishing

Covers fixing the assembled stair into the opening and fitting apron linings. Final trimming and finishing complete the stair to a handover-ready standard.

Lesson 1 • Door and Shutter Fitting

Covers overlay, inset, and lipped door fitting with concealed and surface hinges. Consistent reveals and smooth operation define professional cabinet quality.

Lesson 2 • Worktops and Shelving Systems

Explains laminate, solid timber, and stone-effect worktop cutting and joining. Shelf load calculations and adjustable systems are also covered.

Lesson 3 • Drawer Box Construction and Fitting

Teaches solid-timber and plywood drawer boxes with dovetail and dowel joints. Drawer fit and slide selection directly affect user experience and longevity.

Lesson 4 • Site Installation and Scribing

Teaches leveling, plumbing, and scribing units to uneven walls and floors. Accurate site installation ensures a seamless built-in appearance on completion.

Lesson 1 • Client Handover and Documentation

Teaches handover procedures, maintenance instructions, and warranty documentation. Clear communication at handover builds client confidence and professional reputation.

Lesson 2 • Sealants and Gap Filling

Explains silicone, acrylic, and fire-rated sealants for joints and perimeters. Correct sealant selection ensures durability, flexibility, and regulatory compliance.

Lesson 3 • Paint and Stain Application

Teaches brush, roller, and spray application of paints, stains, and varnishes. Correct technique and inter-coat preparation produce durable, even finishes.

Lesson 4 • Surface Preparation for Finishing

Covers filling, sanding, and priming timber and board surfaces before coating. Thorough preparation is the single greatest factor in final finish quality.