Carpentry and Woodworking - Carpentry as a career...

Hello! I have a quick question for anyone that has some good advice on this topic... Basically I want to become a carpenter and I've been looking everywhere on the net trying to discover which path I should take to reach my goals. I just don't know if I should go to a technical college to start my training or what? Another question I have is there different levels of carpentry? I have read you can go through an apprenticeship program and become a journeyman in this trade, is there a written exam that you must pass for this? I'm just so lost and need a little advice to lead me in the right direction, thank you so much in advance for any information provided! :)

-Chris

Chris, welcome to the forums! By all means check out your local technical schools to see if they have programs geared for carpentry. I am finding more and more are abandoning the programs due to materials cost. Secondly, you could find a noted carpenter in your area, who would be willing to mentor you. There is a lot to learn, and so much is not in books. You should sharpen your mathematics, geometry and trig, as you will use all of them in the trade. Your day will be filled with measurements, angles, make-ups and "what if's". A good apprenticeship is the best way to get into the business.
Some like framing, some like trim. I find trim to be most appreciated, as you see your work for a long time, whereas framing is invisible once finished.
Good luck.

Thank you so much, that helps me out a lot! I am going to call all the tech and vocational schools in the area Monday morning and check to see what they offer. Is there any books you could recommend that would help out?


-Chris

The restoraton company I work for full time, (besides keeping my own biz going) does occassionally 'sponsor' an employee in an apprenticeship program at a local tech school.
You might find a local employer who does the same.

hello wannacreate..maybe i'm oldskool but working for a good carpenter is a really good way to become a carpenter..from what i've seen over the years, trade school guys start gettin' thier real schooling when they get a job. sweat,blisters, and sore muscles and a paycheck beats booklearnin' ...just a thought..GOOD LUCK!:WH:

SOP (Seat Of your Pants..ie hands-on) ..training is the best way to learn.
1st off.. what kind of carpenter do you want to be?
Rough-in/framing etal.. or Finish Carpentry?
What kind of skills do you have and/or want to hone?
Someone, on anther thread mentioned that rough carpentry has its merits, but the Finish work is what everone sees....!
One should, have a sense of what he/she expects from his/her work. If you just want to rough-in framing - you have to consider who follows your work to complete the job.
If you want to Finish the work - to be presentable to the home owner/public.. than you have to want your work to be above board. Being particular and fussy with your end results is what really matters...imo.
Framers frame, finish Carpentry makes it look Fabulous...
Thats the difference...!!! (my opinion...).

I took some "classes" years ago at a local trade school, and was able to make a really nice birdhouse when I was finished. I finally took an apprenticeship with a local master cabinet maker. After about three years of that, I opened my own cabinet shop, and have now been in business for about 25 years. I have a pole building on my property that houses my shop, so the commute is great!

I have been building custom cabinetry, furniture, and musical instruments for a living based on the knowledge I gained from a 3 year apprenticeship. I doubt I would have had as much success at it from a tech college.