Alaska Creative Woodworkers association
a club for carvers, scrollers, and woodworkers
Woodworking Classes and Monthly Meetings
Woodworkers Monthly Meetings 2nd Tuesday of the Month.
Classes are held at the
Alaska Industrial Hardware Store (AIH)
2716 Commercial Dr, Anchorage, AK 99501
Monthly Meetings are held at the
Alaska Industrial Hardware Store (AIH)
2716 Commercial Dr, Anchorage, AK 99501
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$40.00 membership fee required to take classes, good for 1 year and covers a family,
Cut Off Sled
Date(s): Oct 4-5, 2025
Time: 10am to 4 pm. Lunch is not provided.
Where: Alaska Industrial Hardware Store, 2716 Commercial Drive, Anchorage
Class Description:
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What you will make:3 in one Table Saw Cut Off Sled
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Tools you will use:Table Saw, Router, Band saw
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Knowledge and skills you will gain: Use of basic woodworking machines
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Brief woodworking related biography of the instructor: Active ACWA club member.
Age: Adults; Young adults 16+
Number of Students: Class size is limited to 5 students
Tools and Materials: All tools are provided. You do not need to bring any tools.
Cost: $80.00 materials fee. $40 shop fee. Instructors fee $0 Total cost: $120.00
Club Membership: You must be an ACWA member to attend this class. Please click here to join the club
Cancellation Policy: Club membership is not refundable. Fees will be refunded on a case by case basis or if we can find someone to take the spot.
Contact: Jim Powell jpow1700@gmail.com
Intro to Power Tool Woodworking
Date(s): Sept 6, 7, & 13, 14
Time: 10 am to 4 pm. Lunch is not provided.
Where: Alaska Industrial Hardware Store, 2716 Commercial Drive, Anchorage
Class Description:
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What you will make: A baltic birch plywood storage crate/tool tote.
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Tools you will use: Table saw, Drill Press, Router, Sander, & Pin Nailer.
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Knowledge and skills you will gain: Power tool safety! What the tools do, and selecting the right tool for the job.
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Brief woodworking related biography of the instructor: I began working with power tools in construction as a teenager. After moving to Alaska in 05’ became interested in furniture making. Have been hobby woodworking since 2012. Took a ‘Farm Table Class” at Greg Poalini’s school in Asheville, NC. Have built various pieces including shop furniture, a bed, & entry bench.
Age: Adults; Young adults 16+
Number of Students: Class size is limited to 4 students
Tools and Materials: All tools are provided. You do not need to bring any tools.
Cost: $40 materials fee. $40 shop fee. Instructors fee Total cost: $80
Club Membership: You must be an ACWA member to attend this class.
Please click here to join the club
Cancellation Policy: Club membership is not refundable. Fees will be refunded on a case by case basis or if we can find someone to take the spot.
Contact: Amanda McGaha
CNC VCarve Inlay Cutting Board
Date: October 10-14
Time: Oct. 10th – 5 pm to 8 pm: Design instruction and machine demonstration.
You must attend this first class. At the
first class you will also sign up for a two hour block to use the two machines we
will have available to cut out your project. You will be able to stay after your project is cut on the CNC machine or you can come at any time during the open project
times available.
Oct. 11th – 10 am to 6 pm: Individual CNC machine instruction and cutting time/class project work time – come as your schedule allows.
Oct. 12th – (NO INLAY CLASS THIS DAY)
Oct. 13th – Noon to 8 pm: Individual CNC machine instruction and cutting time/class project work time – come as your schedule allows.
Oct. 14th – Noon to 4 pm: Individual CNC machine instruction and cutting time/class project work time – come as your schedule allows.
(Meals are not provided.)
Where: Alaska Industrial Hardware Store, 2716 Commercial Drive, Anchorage
Class Description:
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What you will make: VCarve Inlay Cutting Board
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Tools you will use: VCarve software, SHARK CNC router, bandsaw, planer, jointer, clamps, sanders, and finishing tools.
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Knowledge and skills you will gain: Intermediate VCarve design and CNC machine skills, enough to make your own intermediate CNC projects in the future.
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Instructor's Bio: Randy Johnson is a lifelong woodworker, furniture builder, past magazine editor, author of the CNC Router Essentials book, and CNC trainer for Next Wave CNC - makers of the SHARK CNC.
Age: Adults; Young adults 16+
Number of Students: Class size is limited to 12 students
Tools and Materials: All shop tools are provided, After registering for the class, you’ll receive a link to download the VCarve Pro Makerspace Edition—the software we’ll use to design and create your CNC project. We recommend bringing a laptop with the software pre-installed, to get the most out of the hands-on experience in class. If you don't own a laptop there will be one/two extra you can share.
Cost: $210; instruction and materials fee. $40 shop fee. Total cost: $250
Club Membership: You must be an ACWA member to attend this class. Please click here to join the club
Cancellation Policy: Club membership is not refundable. Fees will be refunded on a case by case basis or if we can find someone to take the spot.
Contact: Sandy Mckinnis @ 907-562-3994 or akspeech@mtaonline.net
Lisa Lackey at: acwwebdesigner@gmail.com or 907-982-3495.
CNC Tabletop Candle Lantern Centerpiece
Dates: October 7-9
Time: Oct. 7 – 4 pm to 8 pm Design instruction and machine demonstration.
You must attend this first class. At the
first class you will also sign up for a two hour block to use the two machines we
will have available to cut out your project on October 8, 9, and 10 th . You will be
able to stay after your project is cut on the CNC machine, to glue up and
assemble your project, or you can come at any time during the open project
times available.
Oct. 8– Noon to 8 pm Individual CNC machine instruction and cutting time. Open project work time – come as your schedule allows.
Oct. 9– Noon to 8 pm Individual CNC machine instruction and cutting time. Open project work time – come as your schedule allows.
Oct. 10-Noon to 4 pm. CNC machining time and project work time.
Where: Alaska Industrial Hardware Store, 2716 Commercial Drive, Anchorage
Class Description:
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What will you make: Candle Lantern Box
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Tools you will use: VCarve software, SHARK CNC router, project assembly, and finishing tools
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Knowledge and skills you will gain: Basic VCarve design and CNC machine skills, enough to make your own simple CNC projects in the future.
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Instructor's Bio: Randy Johnson is a lifelong woodworker, furniture builder, past magazine editor, author of the CNC Router Essentials book, and CNC trainer for Next Wave CNC - makers of the SHARK CNC.
Age: Adults; Young adults 16+
Number of Students: Class size is limited to 12 students
Tools and Materials: All shop tools are provided. After registering for the class, you’ll receive a link to download the VCarve Pro Makerspace Edition—the software we’ll use to design and create your CNC project. We recommend bringing a laptop with the software pre-installed, to get the most out of the hands-on experience in class. If you don't own a laptop there will be one/two extra you can share.
Cost: $230 materials and instructors fee. $40 shop fee. Total cost: $270
Club Membership: You must be an ACWA member to attend this class. Please click here to join the club
Cancellation Policy: Club membership is not refundable. Fees will be refunded on a case by case basis or if we can find someone to take the spot.
Contact: Sandy Mckinnis @ 907-562-3994 or akspeech@mtaonline.net.
Lisa Lackey at: acwwebdesigner@gmail.com or 907-982-3495.
CNC VCarve Intensive Class
Date(s): October 12
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
(with 1 hour lunch break - Lunch is not provided)
Where: Alaska Industrial Hardware Store, 2716 Commercial Drive, Anchorage
Class Description:
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This is a "Software training" style class. It is open to all new, beginner, and intermediate VCarve users. Prior CNC or VCarve experience is not required, but is helpful.
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Tools you will use: Vectric VCarve software.
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Knowledge and skills you will gain: Essential VCarve design and toolpathing skills. If you are new to VCarve, this class will give you a strong foundational understanding of how to use the primary tools within VCarve. If you have some experience with VCarve, this class will help you take your abilities to a higher level.
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Instructor's Bio: Randy Johnson is a lifelong woodworker, furniture builder, past magazine editor, author of the CNC Router Essentials book, and CNC trainer for Next Wave CNC - makers of the SHARK CNC.
Age: Adults; Young adults 16+
Number of Students: Class size is limited to 16 students
Tools and Materials: You must provide your own computer and copy of VCarve software. If you don't own a copy of VCarve software, the instructor will provide you with a copy to use during the class.
Cost: $100.00
Club Membership: You must be an ACWA member to attend this class. Please click here to join the club
Cancellation Policy: Club membership is not refundable. Fees will be refunded on a case by case basis or if we can find someone to take the spot.
Contact: Sandy Mckinnis @ 907-562-3994; akspeech@mtaonline.net.
Lisa Lackey at: acwwebdesigner@gmail.com or 907-982-3495.
Hall Table
Date(s): November 8, 9, 15,16 & 22,23, .
Time: 10am to 4 pm. Lunch is not provided.
Where: Alaska Industrial Hardware Store; Commercial Drive, Anchorage
Class Description:
1. What you will make: Hall table with drawer and steam bent apron.
2. Tools you will use: Steam bending equipment, table saw, router, planer, jointer, bandsaw, domino, sanders and various hand tools.
3. Knowledge and skills you will gain: Become familiar with steam bending for furniture, project planning, design, layout and construction.
4. Brief woodworking related biography of the instructor: Greg Lyall is a retired engineer and woodworking enthusiast. He became interested in steam bending while making a set of dining room chairs. His engineering background easily adapted to furniture design.
Age: Adults; Young adults 16+; Some experience required for this class.
Number of Students: Class size is limited to 5 students
Tools and Materials: All tools are provided. You do not need to bring any tools. Wood type will be either Bubinga and Maple or Cherry and Maple, depending on availability.
Cost: $ 270 materials fee. $40 shop fee. Instructors fee $120 Total cost: $430
Club Membership: You must be an ACWA member to attend this class. Please click here to join the club
Cancellation Policy: Club membership is not refundable. Fees will be refunded on a case by case basis or if we can find someone to take the spot.
Christmas Ornaments
Date(s): November 1st and 2nd
Time: 10am to 4 pm. Lunch is not provided.
Where: Alaska Industrial Hardware Store, 2716 Commercial Drive, Anchorage
Class Description:
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What you will make: Students will choose a design and make a Christmas ornament.
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Tools you will use: Scroll saw, sander
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Knowledge and skills you will gain:Students will learn how to use a scroll saw to create an intricate design.
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Brief woodworking related biography of the instructor:John Lime has many years of experience creating all types of scroll saw projects.
Age: Adults; Young adults 16+
Number of Students: Class size is limited to 8 students
Tools and Materials: All tools are provided. You do not need to bring any tools.
Cost: $10 materials fee. $40 shop fee. Instructors fee: $10.00 Total cost: $60.00
Club Membership: You must be an ACWA member to attend this class. Please click here to join the club
Cancellation Policy: Club membership is not refundable. Fees will be refunded on a case by case basis or if we can find someone to take the spot.
Contact: John Lime at: johnlime@hotmail.com
Larry's End Table
Date(s): Oct 18-19, 25-26
Time: 10am to 4 pm. Lunch is not provided.
Where: Alaska Industrial Hardware Store; 5655 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage
Class Description:
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What you will make: Small End Table with, drawer and tapered legs.
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Tools you will use: Jointer, table saw,band saw, stationary belt sander, drill press, electric hand sanders, chisels, planes and various hand tools.
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Knowledge and skills you will gain Intermediate skills in designing, layout,general preparation of wood, milling, and gluing, machine cut mortise and tenons,
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Brief woodworking related biography of the instructor: Amateur woodworker for 40 years.Professional house builder for 10 years.Rough milling and construction of local lumber, various types of wood working projects including ukuleles from scratch, furniture including tables, chairs, live edged and epoxy tables and kitchen cabinets.
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Table will be built out of Cherry or Maple.Must specify in advance when signing up.
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Students must be advanced beginner or intermediate woodworkers, which means you are comfortable using the power tools listed and have experience with the listed hand tools as well.
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The completed construction of this project will likely require more than the 4 days allotted.Plus finishing will need to be done at another location of your choosing.
Age: Adults 18 years +
Number of Students: Class size is limited to 6 students
Tools and Materials: All tools are provided. You do not need to bring any tools.
Cost: $ 90.00 materials fee. $40.00 shop fee. Instructors fee $175
Total cost:$305.00
Club Membership: You must be an ACWA member to attend this class. Please click here to join the club
Cancellation Policy: Club membership is not refundable. Fees will be refunded on a case by case basis or if we can find someone to take the spot.
Chessboard with Drawer
Date(s): 9/20, 9/21, 9/27 & 9/28
Time: 10am to 4 pm. Lunch is not provided.
Where: Alaska Industrial Hardware Store, 2716 Commercial Drive, Anchorage
Class Description:
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What you will make: Chess Board with Drawer
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Tools you will use: Miter Saw, Table Saw, Joiner, Planer, Router
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Knowledge and skills you will gain: Use of basic woodworking machines
Age: Adults; Young adults 16+
Number of Students: Class size is limited to 5 students
Tools and Materials: All tools are provided. You do not need to bring any tools.
Cost: $80 materials fee. $40 shop fee. $20 Class fee Total cost: $140
Club Membership: You must be an ACWA member to attend this class. Please click here to join the club
Cancellation Policy: Club membership is not refundable. Fees will be refunded on a case by case basis or if we can find someone to take the spot.