Penn Foster’s Online Furniture and Cabinet Maker Diploma Program consists of courses that will cover the basics of creating unique pieces. Discover how to set up your workplace, tools, and materials, understand joinery and layout techniques, and learn how to hone your craft with a Work Experience Option.
The Furniture and Cabinet Maker program prepares students to work for a furniture or cabinet retail store, manufacturer, repair/refinishing shop, cabinet installer, or start a woodworking shop and specialize in custom furniture and cabinet making.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...
Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program.
It’s very important for you to know how to identify, select, and safely use hand and power tools.
This lesson will introduce you to the craft of woodworking.
Learn the organization of a workshop. An organized workplace is an easy, productive, and, most importantly, safe place in which to work.
Before cutting the first board or drilling the first hole, you need to have in mind what you actually want to build and how the end product is going to look and function.
This lesson covers many of the basic principles in joint making and what’s necessary to produce strong joints that will withstand the test of time.
At the end of this unit you’ll complete a graded project, putting into practice what you’ve learned so far. You’ll be given illustrated, step-by-step instructions for this activity. This layout involves the use of a combination square and tape measure. When laying out the pattern, you can also practice marking specific angles with an adjustable bevel. To help you in adjusting the tool, a table and a diagram are provided with your project.
Equipment:
You’ll learn how to properly use and select fasteners for a project.
In this lesson, you’ll get the chance to explore the basics of designing and building boxes.
Learn some advanced joints and joinery techniques.
At the end of this unit you’ll complete a graded project, putting into practice what you’ve learned so far. In this project you’ll cut your first dovetail joint. You’ll be given illustrated, step-by-step instructions for laying out and cutting a dovetail joint with hand tools, which are also provided.
Equipment:
Learn how to select and apply stains, topcoats, and other finishing materials to woodworking projects.
At the end of this unit you’ll complete a graded project, putting into practice what you’ve learned so far. You’ll be given illustrated, step-by-step instructions for this activity. You’ll start by sanding the wood smooth. Then you’ll apply two coats of finish. Sandpaper, stain, and brush are all provided.
Textbook: The Woodfinishing Book
Video: Woodfinishing
Equipment:
Learn about laying out and planning a kitchen and how to construct kitchen cabinets.
In this practical exercise, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your woodworking skills and your knowledge of cabinet design and construction. Included with your exercise is an 11" x 17" print containing drawings of a shop caddy, along with several drawings and a description of the materials needed to build a shop caddy. This exercise won’t be graded, but you will submit a journal of your activities for evaluation and suggestions.
Textbook: Making Kitchen Cabinets
Video: Making Kitchen Cabinets
Supplement: Suggested Activity Journal
Design is simply a matter of planning out what you want to construct.
Learn all the requirements for constructing and gluing up wood panels.
This lesson will serve as a general guide for building a Shaker-style table. It will also introduce you to the Shaker approach to designing and building furniture.
In this practical exercise, you’ll apply your woodworking knowledge to the design and construction of a Shaker-style pedestal table. The exercise includes several drawings and a detailed materials list for all the hardware and materials needed to build the Shaker table.
Video: Build a Shaker Table
Explore all the practical matters involved in maintaining, refinishing, and repairing wooden furniture.
In this lesson, you’ll learn about refacing cabinets.
In this activity, you’ll refinish an actual piece of furniture. Your main purpose here is to gain some hands-on experience in refinishing. This activity gives you the chance to use the refinishing information you’ve been studying. Once you complete the activity, you’ll have the experience and confidence to take on more refinishing projects.
Textbooks:
Upon graduation, you’ll receive a Work Experience Option supplement. If you choose, you can use this supplement to find a trainee position and get valuable job experience. Or, you can use the checklists and job-hunting tips to go directly into the full-time job market. Whichever you choose, you’ll be well-prepared!
