Woodworking, also known as carpentry, is an art of working with wood. Woodworking is an ancient craft, and humans have been practicing it since the beginning of urbanization.
Woodworking (Carpentry)
Woodworking, or carpentry, is a profession within the industry and a subset of the woodcraft sector. A woodworker is someone who creates various wooden products. Typically, woodworking craftsmen include door and window makers, furniture makers, cabinet makers, and so on. Additionally, artists who do wood carving and instrument making are also considered woodworkers.
The art of woodworking essentially involves the skillful craftsmanship of the woodworker working with wood. It means cutting wood pieces into desired shapes, assembling them, and combining them to create practical or decorative objects. Wood carving, sculpting, and making musical instruments are also considered beautiful arts within woodworking or carpentry.
Today, thanks to advances in science, technology, and woodworking tools, woodworking has branched into specialized fields, some of which include:
Carpentry
Woodturning
Marquetry (inlay work)
Pierced woodwork
Sculpture carving
Table and chair making
Upholstery
Wood painting
Pallet making
Cabinet making
Relief carving
And many other branches
Wood and wooden tools have been some of the most important items since the beginning of human life, used for making agricultural tools, shelters, household items, fishing equipment, heating, and more. However, because wood deteriorates quickly with moisture and time, finding complete wooden artifacts from centuries ago is difficult. Therefore, the exact date when humans began using wooden structures is unclear. Overall, woodworking dates back several thousand years.
One of the most important proofs of woodworking’s ancient history is a well made from oak wood in East Germany that is about 7,000 years old. Other historical evidence includes images and paintings from ancient Egypt (about 2,000 years BC), depicting wooden beds and chairs.
Eventually, around 400 AD, woodworking was recognized as an art and gained widespread popularity. Historians say that woodworking and carpentry first spread in Egypt, then to China, Iran, Greece, and other civilizations.
The oldest wooden artifact found in Iran is a chair discovered in the Cheshmeh Ali mound in Rey, dating to the second half of the 6th millennium BC. This red chair is kept in the National Museum of Iran. Additionally, in Amlash, Gilan Province, a chair was found that dates back 2,000 years BC.
Initially, woodworking was used only for making essential items like kitchen tools, tables, and chairs before Islam. These items were mostly simple and plain in design. Ornate wooden items were reserved for kings and nobles.
With the arrival of Islam, items such as pulpits (minbars), shrines, and other sacred furniture were made from finely carved and beautiful woods. After this period, arts like relief carving, marquetry, woodturning, latticework, and pierced woodwork entered the woodworking tradition.
Designing all kinds of wooden objects
Choosing suitable wood for different designs
Cutting and shaping wood for making items like panels, windows, etc.
Assembling wooden parts
Installing wooden products
Constructing wooden structures that fit interior decorations of homes, shops, hotels, banks, offices, and public buildings (such as floor joists, stairs, walls or partitions, doors, and wooden windows)
Complete interior wood décor
Must have the necessary skills and knowledge in woodworking and should ideally have at least one year of training under a master carpenter in a workshop.
Should be creative and have new ideas to give life and a natural feel to woodwork.
Should be punctual and able to deliver projects on time, as timing is critical in the modern world.
Must be able to choose appropriate wood types for each project.
Installation of finished wooden products is also a key skill.
Physical strength, artistic vision for designing and presenting up-to-date models, good health, and good hand-eye coordination for working with tools and attention to detail are important abilities for this profession.
Due to the vastness and diversity of woodworking, the tools are very varied. These tools have evolved throughout history and include:
Various saws
Toolboxes
Polishers
Planers and jointers
Routers
Nail guns
Staple guns
Chisels
Hammers
Air compressors
Electric and manual planes
Tape measures
Squares
Protractors
Spray guns
And more...
These are only brief examples; woodworking uses a far wider range of specialized tools.
Woodworking services can generally be divided into two categories: repairing wooden items and manufacturing & installing wooden products. Examples include:
Built-in wardrobes
Furniture
Display cabinets and vitrines
Bookshelves
Interior decoration
Office equipment
Dining tables
Dressing tables
Desks
Decorative and novelty items
Partitions and wall panels
Wooden shelves and boxes
Cabinets
Beds
TV stands
This article introduced and reviewed the art of woodworking. This craft requires great precision and also adherence to safety measures.
