Supplies & Materials

Woodworking tools are a major investment, so the Vermont Woodworking School provides every student with a starter tool kit to use while they're in the program. These kits are intended to provide experience with hand tools, enabling students to make informed decisions about which tools they want to add to their own collection.

In addition to that kit, we do ask that students bring some materials with them for their own personal use.

Material Requirements

What to bring day one:

Most of these items are easy to find at any hardware store, but there may be a few you'll need to order. The links provided may be used as examples or reference - they aren't affiliate, and do not serve as an endorsement of a particular brand/store.

Please make sure you have everything for the beginning of the semester, since we like to jump right into things!

If you're enrolled for an upcoming semester, you can save some room in your suitcase by shipping supplies directly to the school. For all mail and deliveries, please address them to yourself care of VWS, and make sure you use our mailing address: 148 Main St. Cambridge VT 05444

Safety Glasses

Keep a backup pair in case you lose or break yours. Eye trauma is no joke.

Shopping link

Hearing Protection

It gets loud in the shop! You don't need extra fancy ones, but you'll want over-the-ear muffs that are comfortable.

Shopping link

Sturdy, Close-toed shoes

You want good traction and protection against dropped materials.

Respirator

Woodworking creates a lot of dust. None of it is good to breathe.

Shopping link

Sharpening Stones

We recommend Norton combination waterstones—grits 220/1000 & 4000/8000.

Shopping link

Container

Keep your waterstones soaking in a plastic container so they're always ready to use.

Orbital sander

These sanders save a lot of time—especially on a larger project. You won't need this until the middle of the semester, so you can wait to get one.

Shopping link

Sanding disks

Make sure these fit your sander! You'll want 120, 150, 180, and 220 grit.

Shopping link

Clamps

Not required, but definitely useful. We recommend 6" or 12" clutch-style bar clamps.

Shopping link

Calipers

6" Calipers - dial or digital works. You may want to make sure it can be read in fractions.

Shopping link

2" Machinist Square

A small 2" machinist square is handy for marking out joinery, or just as an extra reference you can keep in a pocket.

Shopping link

Tool Kit

What we provide

Smoothing Plane

Block Plane

Card Scraper

Bevel Gauge

Mortise Gauge

6" Ruler

18" Ruler

Architectural Rule

Drafting Triangle

Measuring Tape

6" Square

12" Square

Marking Knife

Chisels

Dozuki Japanese Dovetail Saw

Readings

Some classes at VWS include short readings from a variety of texts. We have copies of these books available for students to read in the barn, so you don't need to order any of these, but if you'd like to get your own please see the list below:

First Semester

Woodworking Basics: Mastering the Essentials of Craftsmanship

Peter Korn

Practical Design Solutions and Strategies

Taunton Press

Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking Book 1: Joinery

Tage Frid

Understanding Wood Finishing

Bob Flexner

Wood Turning A Foundation Course

Keith Rowley

Design! A Lively Guide to Design Basics for Artists & Craftspeople

Steven Aimone

Fourth Semester

Chairmaking & Design

Jeff Miller