Beginner Woodworking for Women: Make Your Own Wooden Coasters

Step into the wood-shop with confidence! This hands-on, 3-hour workshop with instructor Ben Egelson is for women who want a solid foundation in basic woodshop power tools. With guided instruction, you'll learn to run core machinery safely while turning rough-sawn lumber into a set of custom wooden coasters to take home.
No experience needed. This class is designed for absolute beginners.
Cost: $75. Limited to 6 students
Who it's for: Women 18 years of age or older
Prerequisites: None.
What you'll learn:
- Wood-shop safety: protective gear, dust collection, machine safety and proper handling
- The millwork process: the order of steps to flatten, square, size and smooth rough wood
- Hands-on time on five core tools: jointer, planer, table saw, drum sander and random orbital sander
- Sanding through progressive grits and applying a food-safe oil/wax finish
What you'll make: A finished set of custom wooden coasters to take home.
Class outline (3 hours):
- Hour 1: Welcome and safety briefing, jointer and planer demo, then hands-on milling of your coaster stock
- Hour 2: Table saw cuts into coaster blanks, drum sanding, short break with Q&A on choosing beginner tools
- Hour 3: Orbital sanding and edge detailing, applying the finish, cleanup, certificates and class photo
What to wear
- Closed-toe shoes are required (boots or sturdy sneakers preferred)
- Comfortable short-sleeved or fitted long-sleeved clothes; no loose or baggy sleeves or drawstrings
- Hair tied back behind the shoulders; please remove rings, bracelets and dangling necklaces before class
What's provided:
- Safety glasses and ear protection (feel free to bring your own)
- Dust masks / respirators
- All lumber, sandpaper and finishing oils
What to bring: Nothing but yourself, dressed for the shop.