Supplies & Materials
Woodworking tools are a major investment, so the Vermont Woodworking School provides every student with a starter tool kit to use while they're in the program. These kits are intended to provide experience with hand tools, enabling students to make informed decisions about which tools they want to add to their own collection.
In addition to that kit, we do ask that students bring some materials with them for their own personal use.
Material Requirements
What you'll need day one:
Safety Glasses
Keep a backup pair in case you lose or break yours. Eye trauma is no joke.
Hearing Protection
It gets loud in the shop! You don't need anything fancy, but you'll want over-the-ear muffs that are comfortable.
Sturdy, close-toed shoes
You'll want good traction and protection against dropped materials.
Sharpening stones
We recommend Norton combination stones in grits 220/1000 & 4000/8000
Container
Keep your waterstones soaking in a plastic container so they're always ready to use.
Get these once you're here:
Orbital sander & sanding disks
These sanders save a lot of time, especially when you're working on a large project. You wont need this till later in the semester, so you can wait to order one if you're not sure you'll want it.
Respirator
Woodworking creates a lot of dust that isn't good for your lungs. You'll need a respirator when you're in the sanding room.
Calipers
6" calipers - dial or digital works. You may want to make sure it can be read in fractions.
2" Machinist square
A small machinist square is handy for marking out joinery or as an extra reference you can keep in a pocket.
Clamps
We have a lot of clamps, but it can be nice having a few of your own to keep at your bench. 6" or 12" clutch-style bar clamps are useful.
Tool Kit
What we provide
Smoothing Plane
Block Plane
Card Scraper
Bevel Gauge
Mortise Gauge
6" Ruler
18" Ruler
Architectural Rule
Drafting Triangle
Measuring Tape
6" Square
12" Square
Marking Knife
Chisels
Dozuki Japanese Dovetail Saw
Readings
Some classes at VWS include short readings from a variety of texts. We have copies of these books available for students to read in the barn, so you don't need to order any of these, but if you'd like to get your own please see the list below:
First Semester
Woodworking Basics: Mastering the Essentials of Craftsmanship
Peter Korn
Practical Design Solutions and Strategies
Taunton Press
Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking Book 1: Joinery
Tage Frid
Understanding Wood Finishing
Bob Flexner
Wood Turning A Foundation Course
Keith Rowley
Design! A Lively Guide to Design Basics for Artists & Craftspeople
Steven Aimone
Fourth Semester
Chairmaking & Design
Jeff Miller