Saratoga Joinery

Showcase your musical instruments with handcrafted hardwood elegance! In this dynamic high school woodworking unit, students will build a custom wooden guitar stand featuring contoured support legs, a curved backrest, and padded contact points to safely display acoustic or electric guitars.

Students will work with solid hardwoods (such as maple or cherry) to template, cut, and shape elegant curved components while mastering key structural joinery. This project combines functional design with fine woodworking techniques, giving students the opportunity to craft a sturdy, furniture-grade display stand to take home for their instrument or to give as a custom gift!

What You'll Learn

This project introduces template routing, curved layout techniques, and specialized assembly methods. Here are just a few of the things we'll cover in our session:

• How to trace and layout organic, curved component shapes using templates
• Safe band saw techniques for cutting smooth, curved profiles
• Template flush-trimming using the router table for identical, repeatable parts
• Drilling and aligning angled dowels or reinforced mechanical joinery for structural stability
• Safe operation of stationary and handheld power tools
• Edge-shaping, progressive sanding, and hand-shaping for smooth, ergonomic curves
• Applying protective oil, polyurethane, or wax finishes to highlight natural wood grain
• Installing protective felt, cork, or leather padding at contact points to safeguard instrument finishes

Take these fundamental skills home to tackle future curved furniture builds, display racks, and custom woodworking 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:

• Bandsaw 
• Table saw for rip cuts and with crosscut sled 
• Hand router with flush-trim bit
• Cordless drill doweling jigs
• Spindle / Edge sander
• Random orbital sander
• Clamps and angled 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

You’re a high school student (ages 14 - 18). This hands-on course introduces students to the fundamentals of woodworking, safety, and furniture design. Students learn to safely operate hand tools and power machinery while transforming raw lumber into functional, beautiful projects. We provide an inclusive, hands-on environment where participants of all skill levels can learn, share, and build both projects and lasting community.

You are interested in the craft, but haven’t been in the shop yet. You’ve made a few things before, but want to up your game with a new project and some additional skills. No prior knowledge or experience necessary!

Ages 14 - 18; minors are required to be accompanied by an adult.

Schedule

2 day class; 2 hours each day. Make sure you're available for both dates!

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

A water bottle to stay hydrated.

All tools, materials, safety gear, and supplies are provided!

Instructor Bio

Karen Cavotta is a dedicated Technology Education teacher at Saratoga Springs High School with a passion for empowering the next generation of makers, engineers, and craftspeople. With extensive experience teaching hands-on engineering, architecture, and woodworking courses, Karen specializes in breaking down technical skills into fun, approachable, and confidence-building projects for students of all ages.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Karen serves as a board member at The Saratoga Joinery, where she actively helps guide educational programming and community outreach. She is also a long-time member of the Design Review Board for the City of Saratoga Springs. When she isn't teaching or working in the shop, she enjoys continuing her learning and pursuing her passion for design, architecture, summer gardening, and spending time with her family.