The Honest Carpenter's Next Chapter: Building a Foundation for Beginners

Happy New Year, woodworkers. Another year gone, and it's always good to reflect on what’s been built and what’s coming. Ethan James over at The Honest Carpenter has been doing just that, and he's got some big plans on the horizon—plans that involve a deep dive into the basics for anyone wanting to pick up a hand plane or fire up a table saw. Seems like a benchmark year for him, wrapping up the Power Tools Explained course and overhauling his website. Now, he’s setting his sights on something even bigger: Honest Carpentry 101, or HC 101 as he’s calling it.

If you've ever stared at a pile of lumber and felt completely overwhelmed, wondering where to even begin, this course might be exactly what you need. It’s a common feeling. Plenty of folks get caught up in the beauty of a dovetail joint or the grain of cherry, but the initial hurdle—just knowing how to build something—can feel insurmountable. HC 101 aims to bridge that gap.

What makes this course different from his previous one? Power Tools Explained focused on *how* those tools work. HC 101 is about *how to use them to build things*. We're talking shelving, furniture, sheds, decks – the kinds of projects that inspire us to get into woodworking in the first place. It's a curriculum for the fundamentals, covering material selection, fastener choices, and essential techniques. He's emphasizing something crucial that often gets overlooked: structure. Understanding the principles that keep a project standing strong is as important as mastering a router or a chop saw.

Ethan’s plan is to focus on four or five core projects, using them as vehicles to explain foundational concepts. Think of it as a complete carpentry curriculum, built from the ground up. He’s aiming for a launch in April or May, which means he’ll be taking another step back from YouTube for a while, putting in the hard work to get it right. This is the kind of dedication we see from folks like Steve Ramsey, Jay Bates, and Jonathan Katz-Moses – a commitment to building something truly valuable for the community.

He’s even looking for input from the community, so if you’ve got ideas for what you’d like to see covered in the course, head over to his website and leave a comment. This is what it’s all about—woodworkers helping woodworkers, sharing knowledge and experience. If you're a Rogue Carpenter, this is a chance to shape the future of woodworking education.

For those of us who like to build things with our hands, whether it’s crafting custom cabinets, furniture making, or tackling a framing project, a solid foundation is everything. HC 101 sounds like it'll be a fantastic resource for anyone just starting out, or even for those looking to solidify their understanding of the basics. It’s a reminder that woodworking isn’t just about fancy joinery; it’s about the principles that make something functional and lasting.

If you're looking to expand your skills, consider finding a Carpenter Angel in your area—someone experienced who can offer guidance and mentorship. Maybe a wood shop class is in order. Or, if you've got a project in mind, list a custom commission and put your newfound knowledge to the test. And don't forget to claim your creator profile to connect with others in the Rogue Carpenter movement.