Saratoga Joinery

Craft a portable, practical workstation for reading, journaling, or working on your laptop! In this hands-on workshop, participants will build a solid wood lap desk featuring an elevated frame, built-in storage compartment, and a hinged lift-top lid.

You’ll learn how to construct a sturdy apron and leg base, assemble a smooth wooden writing top, and install decorative hardware hinges to access interior storage space. It’s an ideal project that combines fundamental small-scale furniture construction with basic hardware installation, leaving you with a functional, handsome piece to use at home or give as a thoughtful gift!

What You'll Learn

This class introduces essential small furniture construction and woodworking techniques. Here are just a few of the things we'll cover in our session:

• How to accurately measure, mark, and square lumber for frame and leg components
• Methods for joining aprons to legs to create a strong, stable base structure
• Edge-gluing and assembling solid wood panels for the desktop lid
• Safe operation of stationary and handheld power tools
• Routing or chiseling gains for surface-mounted hinges and hardware alignment
• Installing surface hardware, hinges, and optional lid supports safely and accurately
• Surface preparation, progressive sanding, and rounding edges for a smooth, comfortable feel
• Applying protective stains, oils, or clear finishes for an elegant finish

Take these fundamental skills home to tackle future small furniture builds, storage solutions, and home DIY projects!

Tools Used

We've got a shop full of great tools we're excited to share with you. You'll learn to safely use the following tools during our class:

• Miter saw
• Table saw rip and with crosscut sled
• Pocket hole jig or dowel joinery tools
• Orbital / Edge sander
• Cordless drill and driver bits
• Clamps and assembly jigs

While we're excited to have you learn to use these tools, safety and comfort are our top priorities. Instructors will provide close, hands-on supervision at all times, and assistance is always available whenever requested!

Skill Level & Prerequisites

Beginner to Intermediate

Beginners will find this class to be a fantastic basic introduction to both woodworking, and to some of the more common tools used in the wood shop. While more experienced woodworkers might need less direction, but will still come away with some new tips and an amazing piece of furniture.

No prior knowledge or experience necessary.

Ages 14+; minors are required to be accompanied by an adult.

Schedule

Two, 2 hour sessions

Safety

PPE: We provide safety glasses, hearing protection, and dust masks if requested. Safety glasses are required in the shop at all times.

Dress: We’re probably going to get a little dusty! Make sure to wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Avoid loose clothing and jewelry. Anything that may get caught in machinery, like long hair, must be tied back and secured.

Accommodations: While we’ll be moving about the shop for most of our time together, we aim to make the craft as accessible as possible for everyone. Please reach out if you have any questions about our space or may need accommodations of any kind.

What to Bring

If you have a favorite tape measure or pencil, bring it along. Otherwise, we’ve got you covered.

We’ll be on our feet for most of the class, so it might be good to bring something to drink and a light snack.

Instructor Bio

Jody is a native Saratogian, retired French Teacher (turned Instructional Technologist 12 years before her retirement from Saratoga Springs High School) and woodworker. She owns a home in town that was built in 1885 which was probably the inspiration for her to learn woodworking skills. She fell in love with woodworking and never looked back!

She was thrilled when she heard about the Joinery where she would have access to amazing tools, be part of a community with people who share the same interests, and where she could always be learning new things. She doesn’t (at this point) lay claim to any specific skills, but she especially likes making simple, functional pieces of furniture, or just designing things that she needs for her house or gardens.