Joseph was incredibly helpful and patient. I left the shop with so much knowledge about woodworking and can’t wait to get stared in my next project!

I never knew I was capable of doing the things I did in the class. I made a super neat elephant cutting board that I have proudly displayed on my wall as art :)

Small class, with a good mix of theory and practice. The instructor was attentive to each student's needs -- those of us that wanted to pantomime using the table saw got to do so before powering it up, f/e, whereas those who just dove right in still got active feedback. Plenty of advice was given for folks wanting to set up a home garage, though the instructor would definitely also not have complained about finding a student interested in joining his woodshop/makerspace as a member. :)

The active instruction (and a short break) took five hours from start; for the last, we were turned loose to be creative with what we'd learned.

I enjoyed this class, and would definitely consider taking another from the same instructor, or advising a friend to do likewise.

The teacher was very knowledgeable and gave safety tips on all tools you were using. He also gave feed back when you used the tool to give you pointers to avoid splinting the wood. He was willing to answer questions. This was one of the best experiences with a one day class i have had.

Took this class last night and learned so much about wood turning and different tools and techniques. Wish there could have been more time to make multiple “finished” products. Can’t wait to test out my new French rolling pin !!!!

The teacher was thorough, well organized, patient and had a great sense of humor.

Class was fun and very informative. The simple techniques and products demonstrated within a limited time-frame really made noticeable differences in the pieces of furniture brought in by myself and other classmates. I will definitely return to Make Chicago. Joseph is very talented and it was a delight to pick his brain. He was patient and helpful and answered every question asked of him. Location was easy to get to with ample free parking. I thoroughly enjoyed this class and look forward to more.

Well equipped workshop and perfect size of class. Instructor was very organized and knowledgeable.

This class was really fun! I was really impressed with the teacher and that we all came away with really nice projects. Tips: It's hot in there, so wear something breathable! And bring water!

This was a very informative hands on class. Super fun! The instructor was very knowledgable and it was awesome to make an actual object. I had a lot of questions because he does go over a lot before we get started but he was really patient and helped me out. Definitely wear clothes to get messy in and I would do this again any day.

My daughter and I had a great time learning about wood turning and then experiencing the thrill of making sawdust and chips and turning out a usable rolling pin. Fun!

The class was very informational! The instructor was very hands on and patient throughout the entire class. I would recommend this class to all wood working beginners.

Brilliant! Am now in possession of a fab rolling pin AND (more importantly) new skills. This is an enormously gratifying class, instant results and loads of fun!

An excellent class - the most thorough I’ve ever been on. The teacher was very knowledgable, patient and encouraging. If you want to escape for a few hours into a new skill, this is for you!

It was a great workshop, and Joseph was an excellent instructor. The class size was perfect, and allowed everyone to take a turn using equipment. Joseph explained everything thoroughly and was great at answering questions and engaging the class participants.

I could not have been more happy with this extremely well-priced dabble experience! Joseph speaks so well about his craft, safety and fun of creating a one of a kind iconic Chicago flag creation. The space at MAKE! Chicago is brimming with opportunity for creation-I feel accomplished with what we made in class, and I have the confidence to know I can return for another DIY project in the future.

This was my third class at MAKE!
Joseph is an excellent & educational instructor, and I love, love, love my Chicago flag!

I was a bit intimidated by power saws prior to class. But umm, you kind of need one to become the magnificent furniture maker I'm destined to be (kidding). By the time I approached the one in class, I was over my fear - Joseph's instruction helped me feel calm, focused and in control. Great, useful class. Clear and thorough instruction.

Instructor has good knowledge and insight into the material plus any of the questions that come in. Good experience!

Awesome experience as always! This time I brought my Mom and she thoroughly enjoyed it! Looking forward to more classes offered by Joseph!

My sister and I took this class. Joseph was very knowledgeable and patient. He let us be creative. He didn't hover but stepped in to assist or give tips as needed. He took us step by step through the process of making a rolling pin.
Joseph also helped ease any hesitation we had on using the machinery/tools. We had a blast and loved that we walked away with a useful, usable rolling pin! We would take another class with Joseph!

Such a fun class! I'm inexperienced with power tools but he gave great demonstrations and watched over us while using the machines. I love my coat rack and look forward to moving to a bigger place so I can actually use it.

These classes are perfect for beginners, or for those that maybe know a little tiny bit, but want to learn more by doing. I love the fact that you can take home what you made. Joseph was very patient, and he made sure to explain how all the tools worked. The class was small, so we didn't have to wait too long to take turns at using some of the tools. I'm definitely taking some of his other classes!

Great Class learned a lot and made a cutting board too!!

Joe was a very thorough instructor, explaining everything very well and keeping things moving at a reasonable pace. The workspace was well laid out for small groups of participants.

Joseph was very detailed when giving directions and safety precautions.

I had so much fun and can’t believe how amazing my coat rack turned out.

I’m definitely coming back for more classes!

This a very in-depth and hands-on class for beginners. Joseph is patient and takes the time to carefully explain each step as well as the reasoning behind it and appropriate safety procedures. Would highly recommend this class for anyone looking to get into woodworking!

This was a great class and so much fun! Joseph went through the ins and outs of buying wood, how best to put it together, etc. - stuff i would've never thought about that makes you appreciate the art of woodworking. All the info was really helpful to know for future projects! Joseph also did a great job teaching us how to properly use the power tools, especially techniques that if not taught, one would only know about from years of experience. I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in woodworking, and I look forward to signing up for some other classes at MAKE! Chicago.

I've been wanting to learn how to use a lathe and this class was an awesome introduction to it. Joseph was a great instructor. He introduced us to the lathe and techniques and was super helpful and patient. The class only had four Dabblers in it, so you get a lot of one on one instruction. Joseph made sure to keep making a round of the shop and check in often with us to make sure we were doing ok and help us when needed. Once you get the hang of it machine and technique, it's easy and fun! I can't wait to take another class or make use of the open shop time.

Absolutely loved the experience and the idea of this incredibly creative space. Joseph was a great teacher and really knew when to step in to give pointers and divided his time very well amongst all of us that took the class. Extremely satisfying to walk away with a rolling pin I created and can use with pride in my kitchen. Thank you again Joseph.

I absolutely love his classes. I've only taken 2, but can't wait for the next! Joseph is very professional and informative. YOU make your own pieces, and are encouraged to be creative in the process. I feel accomplished each time I've left with my new piece.

I bought this class for my husband who is starting to become interested in woodworking and he really enjoyed it. He found a lot of the instruction to be really useful and enjoyed making the cutting board. He can't stop talking about it.

This class met all my expectations plus more. I not only learned how to use new tools, but also learned some new things about the tools I use at home. Make! Chicago was a great space to learn in and Joseph was an awesome, patient teacher.

Such an amazing class! Joseph was so helpful and after a tutorial I felt like I was a carpenter! :) So fun. I would highly recommend this class and can't wait to take more by this instructor!

Of course I brought my own project, so I was pleased to get it almost finished. There were only a couple of us there, so there was no trouble with overlapping machine use. Joseph was there to ask for suggestions and opinions, and he was really helpful.

Fun and educational experience. Combines woodworking with art and painting. Exactly what I was looking for and recommend Joseph highly. I will take another class from him in the near future

This is the first Dabble and Woodworking class that I have ever taken and I was so happy that I did! I can't say enough about the teacher, Joseph Budka, as far as his knowledge, his instruction, his patience and the hands-on experience. It was a fun way to try something new and I left feeling successful - which is a good goal. I highly recommend both the teacher and the class!

This was a fantastic class! Joseph was incredibly knowledgeable, clear and easy to understand. I learned a tremendous amount in a very short time and am very happy with the rolling pin I took home.

This was the second wood turning class I took with Joseph, and both have been excellent. I had a great time trying out all the different tools and experimenting with different shapes, and made a neat, space-age-looking candle holder in the process.

This class was GREAT! I did not know what to expect going into the workshop, but I had a fantastic time learning to make my own rustic wine rack. Joseph was a really great teacher, providing enough guidance and support but also letting us have our own creative freedom. Joseph also spent the perfect amount of time talking about the tools, how to use them, the different parts, etc which was really helpful and now I feel like I could do some basic woodworking on my own. As someone with no woodworking experience, I was not expecting to walk away with a wine rack I was actually going to use/display but I have to say I am really proud of what I created and already have it stocked with bottles in my kitchen.

Fun class, learned a lot in a short amount of time and walked away with a cool piece.

This class was more than I expected it to be. I walked in thinking I would just paint some wood and and be done with my project, but this class was very hands on. This was such a great experience learning to use power tools, sanding wood and cutting techniques. I will definitely sign up for future projects with Make it Chicago.

I really enjoyed the Intro to Furniture Restoration class. I learned the
skills I wanted and finished my project during the workshop. Joseph was a
good teacher, friendly, and helpful.

Joseph is a great teacher: knowledgeable, clear, and patient. The class was well-paced, with a good focus on safety and the relevant tools, and plenty of hands-on time. I'm looking forward to practicing what I've learned about using a lathe!

It was a very enjoyable woodworking class using the power tools were awesome although my project wasn't as perfect as I would have wanted to be but I had a blast!
I'm looking forward to dabbling a little more!

Very informative class!

I had a different idea of what this class was about but looking at the time it makes sense that it's not going deep into sanding our projects as that's for another class. All in all the class was very informative and Joseph was very detailed on his suggestions of fixing things. There were things on my table that I didn't even notice was a easy fix to clean. He also starts you on a task but does not complete it so you have exposure to the experience and I liked that. I would most likely take another class that is taught by him.

Wonderful class! Fun and informative!

Great class! The instructor was friendly and encouraging. It felt amazing to walk out of the class having built something like this!

Very fun time learning how to make a cutting board, the instructor used the simple project to teach us a wide variety of skills that are applicable to many more woodworking projects. The Make Chicago maker space is also very inviting and a great place to learn.

I took this class with a group of three other people. It was great! The instructor was very knowledgeable, and he made sure to spend some time with each of us so that we left with a beautiful piece.

This class was great! Joseph was a great and patient teacher who made sure everyone was comfortable with the experience and felt empowered to make what spoke to them. We are definitely interested in doing another class!

This was a fantastic class. Having had zero experience in woodworking of any kind, the teaching and pace was great and I came away with a really sleek french rolling pin. With only 4 people in the class we ended up having all spots filled with our group of friends so it felt like a private class. The small class ensured our teacher had lots of time to help each of us with 1:1 time. Highly recommended!

Joseph was patient, and offered excellent guidance for all participants at all levels of experience.

Great class! Instructor was super knowledgeable and the class was fun and I learned so much about how to get creative with design using the lathe And the tools involved. Would definitely recommend this class! Great technique class.

I purchased this class for my husband as a gift and he enjoyed it very much! He's taken an interest in woodcraft the past year and worked on several projects.. so I figured this was a good class to expand on his joinery technique. They created the letter "G" and each bend of the letter was a new joinery technique. It's a great class for mixed levels and backgrounds and my husband said the instructor was great with years of experience. Thank you!

This is my 3rd woodworking class taught by Joseph now and I'll still come back for more! This class was a little different in that you don't work on a specific piece but instead learning joining techniques with some basic materials - Joseph already communicates this on the class description so wasn't a surprise. While initially I was hoping to apply this to a little project in the class, it made sense by the end as the focus rightly is on learning the techniques, and learning from mistakes that I definitely made! But now I'm ready to apply this to the next project!

This is my second time dabbling with Joseph (made a cutting board in the first class). I enjoyed learning about joinery and using both the hand and power tools. I intend to use my knowledge and take a stab at making a picture frame. He is patient, thorough, practical and has a wealth of experience. Would recommend this class to anyone looking to get some practical experience and insight into joinery.

This class was awesome and I would highly recommend it. Joseph was a great teacher, super patient, good at keeping the class engaged and he had tons of practical insights/ technical advice. I look forward to taking additional classes in the future.

The class started out slow - be prepared for a full safety lecture and overview of every tool you're using. Once we got going though, the class was great. Joseph was very knowledgeable and patient - making comments on what we were doing right and what we could improve throughout. Learned a lot and looking forward to the next one!

Some of my fondest memories are of spending time with my grandfather in his wood shop among the whirl of power tools and the smell of sawdust. I'm 51 and I've always wanted to take a woodworking class. I live in Iowa and you'd think with all those old people they'd have a class or two - nope seriously. Chicago was the closest, so 2 1/2 hours later I'm in my first woodworking class and believe me it was worth every mile. In 6+ hours (thanks Joe for staying a little later) I left the proud creator of a cutting board in the shape of Iowa, a feeling of accomplishment and an amazing amount of knowledge. I've already signed up for my next course.

Have been to a the woodworking 101 class and was excited to come back for more with this class. The teacher is great, patient and informative while adding humor along the way. Making the box was more of a challenge than I anticipated but definitely achievable for beginners.

Joe was great! He talked through everything needed to make a box and learn a variety of woodworking skills.

Joseph was a great instructor and this class was so much fun. We learned the basics about wood and using various equipment/techniques. It was fun to see everyone's different cutting boards designs (pacman, elephant, whale, rounded cutting boards, etc). I appreciated all of the how-to and safety information we were given along with the freedom to work on our own projects with someone standing by in case we needed some guidance.

Joseph is passionate about his work and a great teacher. I learned a lot.

Loved this class! Have been wanting to get into woodworking and this was the perfect beginners class. The teacher took the time to explain basic concepts and teach you how to safely use the equipment, answer questions and still give us time to actually build something! Was very happy with my little cutting board :)

This class was super fun. Joseph definitely went above and beyond to answer any questions and offer guidance with outside projects. I would definitely recommend this class!

I signed my boyfriend up for Woodworking 202 as a birthday present, and ended up going with him. This experience flew past my expectations. I went in with no previous woodworking knowledge. Joseph, our instructor, guided us through the project step-by-step. He was very involved and helpful. It took careful instruction (and some bravery) to get used to the equipment, but after that I was cutting wood on my own! I highly recommend this class. It was our first Dabble, it was a lot of fun, and we can't wait to move on to the next Woodworking class and other Dabble classes.

Great intro to wood shop environment, tools and safe practices. Joseph gave super clear instructions and was patient with all of us newbies.

This was a great class. My husband and I did this together and created one large piece instead of two smaller pieces - thanks for that flexibility. We learned a lot and got a GOOD workout in. I was sore for days! This is not for those that cannot handle some intense physical labor. Our shelf that we created is really nice and made from cherry and white oak. I would suggest coming with ideas (measurements etc.).

The Rustic Pallet Furniture class was AWESOME, and it was exactly what I needed after a disappointing night - getting there and tearing apart some old pallets, and sweating bullets out in the humid, sunny day, was all I needed to relieve some pinned up aggression! I would suggest bringing a NICE LUNCH, or eating a heavier than usual breakfast to work it off during the demo portion...also a sweat band, or towel...YOU WILL SWEAT (It was the ending of August in Chicago). I was hesitant to take this class before I took the Woodworking 101 class because I'm NEW to building, but you do not need any experience, Joe was very thorough in his explanations of the tools and process, he is also very patient and attentive to the class overall. I'm looking forward to taking more classes!

Joseph was a great instructor and I really enjoyed Woodworking 103 (Table Making). Joseph was very professional and tailored the class perfectly for our level of expertise. Giving us free access to the open shop days during the duration of the class was a great perk that allowed us to work on more complicated projects. I'm nearly finished with my nightstand and thanks to Joseph's instruction, it looks nearly identical to the $700 table that I'm replicating. The class is paying for itself already. I'm looking forward to using my skills on several other projects very soon.

It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot! Making the first project was more complex than I thought it would be--which is a good thing! If anything, I wish I would have worn grubbier clothes because it's dirty. (In a woodshop? No!) I definitely want to take more classes at this space.

I thought the class was very informative. I learned a lot of things to take care of my furniture. It was a good experience being in a class. I just want to branch out and learn new things.

The teacher was very knowledgable, friendly, and made his lessons easy for everyone to understand. It was a ton of fun, I learned alot, got a great workout, and my table turned out pretty cool!

I really enjoyed taking this class! Joe is an amazing teacher, he explains everything really well and takes you through all the necessary steps. I had an amazing time and I would love to take another class with him!

Such a great afternoon learning the basics of a wood shop. I was so glad I went, and am so proud of what I created. The teacher is great, patient, informative. Highly recommend.

From the reviews I knew this class would be well-taught and lots of fun, but it exceeded my expectations. Joseph has deep experience with carpentry, a solid teaching method/approach, a wonderful demeanor that encourages explorations, and excessive patience. I learned a ton, got a physical workout, and built a table that I love. I highly recommend this class, especially if you have a desk job. It feels great to use your hands to create something durable.

Excellent class, very thorough instruction and safety, Joseph really covered everything well. thoroughly enjoyed dabbling in the craft. I would recommend this to anyone with interest. Come with a design (drawing in mind about 8" wide & 12" long (though I didn't actually measure) & ready to stand most of the time.

This class was fun!!!! I am totally new to furniture restoration, and the instructor made it si easy and enjoyable. Looking forward to taking more classes and learning more skills!!! Thank you!!!!!

This was a great class. I hadn't ever done anything with wood working and Joe was really good at walking us through every step. The initial dismantling part can be really hard depending on your pallet so be prepared for about an hour of physical work! After that, the fun began for me. Joe showed us an example but we really could build off that structure in any measurements we wanted. I would have liked a little more time on actually constructing the table as we were a bit rushed at the end and it felt like a lot of people needed some help with that part. However, we did have a full class so it was expected to wait for tools at times. Overall great class and I love my bench!

Great class to learn how to start working with re-upholstery. Teacher is very clear, attentive and fun

Joseph was a great instructor- as a beginner, he gave us just the right tools and tips to safely build a sturdy product. I am not interested in becoming an expert, but I know enough now that I could confidently repeat what he taught.

Joseph is extremely knowledgeable and very hands on with this class - he made it a tiring but fun day! I highly recommend taking a woodworking class with him.

You definitely get your $s worth with this 6 hour class. Not only do you get step-by-step instruction on how to construct your piece of furniture but many of us felt like we also got quite a work out, especially disassembling and de-nailing the pallets.

A+++++! Joe is just a fantastic teacher. The first part of class is where you do the most learning- after that, you get to apply what you learned and go to town making your cutting board. Super fun, awesome environment, definitely recommend you take this class if you've been wanting to dabble in woodworking.

Joseph was a great teacher - communicates clearly and has patience. The woodworking class was at the level described, and got me comfortable enough to want to pursue further challenges!

Great class. Left feeling more confident about caring for and rehabilitating my antique wood furniture. The table we brought to work on it class looks 100% better

Great class! We made cool *little* cutting boards to any shape we wanted. The class is 6 hours (with a short break for lunch) and you learn a lot. You stand the entire time on the concrete floor - which is not something I'm used to. Our class had only 5 people and that was almost perfect since we had to share tools and machinery. Normally there would have been more people in the class, but Dabble accidentally listed the wrong time for the class so a few people cancelled. Easy street parking. Good value. I'd definitely take more classes here.

It was a really good class. A lot of information. I recommend bringing a pen and paper to take notes. We restored pieces of furniture. That was fun!! Good to practice on something. The teacher was very patient with us. All in all, it was a lot of fun and it gave me some ideas.

It's a little bit of a workout, a little bit of a design challenge, and and little bit of art breaking down then building a new table, bench or, as a couple of people did, a bookshelf, out of pallet wood. The teacher is great-- accessible, helpful and methodical as he takes you through the steps and skills needed to create your own work of rustic gold.

Awesome class. The instructor is amazing, helpful, approachable and truly knowledgeable. Highly recommended class for anyone. I can't believe how much I learned. Thanks again.

Leaving a late review, but I really enjoyed this class! We were given all of the information we needed to continue practicing what we learned at home, and everyone left with a much more beautiful piece. Thanks!

I enjoyed this class a lot. Joseph was a great teacher, and he presented a nice mix of topics on safety, the inner workings of tools and machines, and the science behind wood and woodworking. I feel like I learned a lot in a relatively short period of time, and the information was reinforced with the hands-on experience.

I'd recommend coming in with some specific ideas about cutting board designs (which Joseph does suggest in advance that you do). I'd just gotten back from a trip so I wasn't as prepared as I wanted to be. I'd even suggest bringing in paper templates to adapt or trace. It's hard to decide what you want to do on the fly and not spend too much time on that. And it's very hard to get a symmetrical outline on the wood if you're drawing freehand. I tend to ponder too much and so started to fall a bit behind toward the end.

A great class, though, and highly recommended. I'm looking forward to taking some of the others Joseph offers.

The instructions were excellent. Joseph was very thorough and patient with newbies.
Safety was super important to him which was much appreciated.
My only negative is that while we were in the class there was somebody using a finish with noxious fumes and there was not proper ventilation so we could hardly breath. They eventually turned on the fans. I would suggest do not allow this to happen while class is being conducted. It took away from what would of been an overall excellent experience.

A full day class- (make sure you pack a lunch) and I learned so much!! I was also surprisingly sore the next day. Joe was extremely patient and explained everything well! Loved this class and would definitely sign up for his others!

Joseph is a great teacher; very thorough, clear and helpful. I highly recommend this course - a great intro to woodworking AND you walk out with a great cutting board that you get to brag about.

Measure twice cut once and you're all set for a great class that teaches skills that go beyond making a box. Slow and steady with power tools produces a better product. Measure and remeasure before cutting or you might be surprised or upset by the results. And when in doubt, whack the box into submission. Oops! That one was the mantra I was reciting until Joe resuscitated the box and made it look, well, boxlike. A great class for the neophyte and for the DIYer who wants to power up their know-how.

The Rustic Pallet Furniture class was really fun! Have u ever disassembled a pallet before? It was a cool experience. Then you get to make a bench, small table or end table. You learn how to use a compound miter saw and pneumatic brad nailer, among other tools. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. You can do this! Awesome instruction & neat finished product.

I learned to use a table saw! This was a great class. Even though I was an absolute beginner, I felt comfortable using all the tools, both powered and manual. I can't wait to go back to take Woodworking 102.

I left this class filled w/joy! I have always wanted to try woodworking and this class met EVERY expectation! Joseph is INCREDIBLY knowledgable and shares with sincerity and a dash of humor. It's so great to know about the MAKE! Chicago space.I can't wait for Wood Working 102 - do u have that? :)

I had a great time and learned far more than I expected! The instructor is great, too. I highly recommend checking this class out if you want a solid, hands-on intro to woodworking.

Great intro class!

The class covers a wide variety of joins in a detailed manner. Leaving the class one will feel comfortable executing a lot of joins on their own. It is a great introduction to wood working. Joseph is an expert in the field and provides understandable instruction.

I am an experienced woodworker and took this course because it was a prerequisite for independent access to the workshop. I was impressed with Joseph's ability to handle 7 newbies (and me), and to take us all through the process of constructing our own cutting boards, machine-by-machine and step by step. Joseph's coverage of safety issues and his instruction on machine usage were both very good. I would recommend this course for any non-woodworker who is looking for a good introduction to the craft.

Joseph is an excellent teacher, using a simple woodworking project ( building a cutting board) and then breaking it down into smaller stages , thus teaching the various power tools and techniques. He is patient ,pleasant and very knowledgable.

Dr Dov Rotenberg

I really enjoyed this class. All of the information that Joseph provided was not only useful, but helps you gain confidence in using powerful tools. I would highly recommend taking this class. However, I would suggest coming to the class with a couple ideas of what kind of cutting board you would like to make. Because this class is so long, I would suggest eating before starting the class and bring a lunch. Not much time to eat, when you take a break.

I took the class with my nephew who is really interested in learning how to work with wood. The class taught us a ton about how wood works and gave us a chance to create something that we will have forever. It was delightful and a great memory.

This was a great workshop to learn the ins and outs of woodworking. It's not called "make a cutting board" for a reason. Yes, you leave with an awesome shaped cutting board of your own design, but you also are given information and experience using shop tools (I was so grateful for the safety lesson when we got to use the table saw!), the hows and whys of wood as a material, and even the mind frame you should have when working in a wood shop. I hope there will be a 102 class soon!

This class was awesome. what a great way to spend a saturday and i now have my new favorite kitchen accessory: a whale-shaped cutting board!

The woodworking class was very educational and enjoyable. Joseph was extremely knowledgeable and informative. Def recommend taking this class!

Might be the best $40 I ever spent! Got a fantastic overview of the main shop tools—and the chance to use them quickly got me over my anxiety about using them. I thought the resulting cutting board would be incidental—a "means to an end"—but I ended up really taking it seriously and am proud of what I did!

Joseph really knows his stuff and was great at making us understand how and why things in the shop are the way they are. He was extremely patient and encouraged questions which he answered happily and thoroughly.

This class is all I needed to feel comfortable in the shop and around tools—and excited to dive deeper and make more stuff. If there was a follow-up class I would absolutely take it!

Students were walked through some basic power tools and safety standards, then got the opportunity to create their own butcher board.

I thought Joseph provided an excellent learning experience for me as well as the other students in the class. He was completely prepared, extremely knowledgeable re subject matter, and guided you step by step. I was admittedly nervous because I have never been around heavy duty machinery for woodworking. Joseph does not push you out of your comfort zone, but provides all the supportive techniques if you wish to go beyond what you think your comfort zone may be. I think that was the overall takeaway message from this class--with proper support and guidance you can do things you might not think you would be able to do. I highly recommend his class for anyone wishing to explore the art of woodworking and its tools.

The perfect way to spend a saturday afternoon! I left the class with a cutting board I made MYSELF and I feel like I could build anything now. Josh does a great job teaching you about all the different tools and tool safety. I highly recommend this class!

A very thorough intro to woodworking. The morning went a little slow- lots of safety stuff and one one person could use the table saw at a time- but the afternoon pace picked up nicely and I have a pretty neat cutting board to show for it.

I made an awesome fish shaped cutting board while learning a lot about the tools, and process of making it happen. Definitely a great beginner woodworking class. Joe is really good at working with whatever comfortable level you maybe at when it comes to tools.

Joseph is a fantastic teacher. My mom and I learned a lot because he is very thorough and patient. We were able to make two very nice cutting boards which we cannot wait to use. :)

I had really high hopes for this class as woodworking is something I've wanted to learn for a long time now, and the class did not disappoint. Joseph was a really great instructor: patient and thorough. He gave us such a great understanding of all the machinery we were using and then let us do everything ourselves after careful explanation of technique and safety protocol. I left with a (darling) whale charcuterie board. I highly recommend this class.

This class was great. Though you get to work hands-on with heavy equipment, I felt very safe and much attention was paid to safety during the class. The teacher is extremely knowledgeable, but is patient and allows you to do every step in the process on your own. I am very pleased with the product I came out with, and I had no prior experience at all.

Bring a sweater, it is cold in there! Also, be prepared to be on your feet for 6 hours -- definitely wear comfortable shoes.

Awesome experience. Had fun with the hands on approach to woodworking. I loved the creative part where we design our own cutting board. Mine was a retro lazer gun!

Really enjoyed the class went over all the basics so you were not intimidated when you had to use the tools. Projects were as easy or as hard as you wanted to make them.

My mother and I were looking for something fun to do together. Having both taken a woodworking class separately several years ago, we decided Woodworking 101 could be a fun refresher course.

Jason was a patient an thorough teacher. He taught us more about working with wood than I had expected and helped each person realize their own vision. Mom left with a cutting board inspired by Russian nesting dolls' shape, and I took home my Tardis-inspired cutting board.

Mom and I will definitely be trying other Dabble classes in the future.

I wanted to understand how to use wood tools safely and this class did exactly that. I appreciated the thoughtfulness the teacher gave in explaining the tools and safety issues. All seemed to enjoy and it was nice to walk out with a finished functional object.

Focused on the goals of the class and gave ample time to thoroughly cover the subject. Student questions were solicited at every step in the class and at the class end the instructor stayed for any further questions.

The teacher, Joseph, was very clear about how to use the equipment, giving very good instructions. He was also very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Small size meant it felt safe and productive

I think we made an awesome project, and the teacher was very knowledgeable.

Taking a lot of time for safety, and allowing us to create whatever type of cutting board we liked.

"Joseph is relatively no-nonsense and gets into the class quickly. He's clearly a thoughtful educator, and communicates with his students with clear, intentional process. I was really impressed!

The class size was small enough to get things done in a reasonable amount of time, and the other students were relatively diverse, which I wasn't expecting.

The location was clean, bright and felt extremely safe - this is a good class for people who are intimidated by the average workshop."

Joseph's teaching style was very hands on! We learned a lot of material!

Small class size = plenty of attention, teacher was extremely knowledgeable and very specific in his instructions and answered all questions thoroughly, fantastic value, fun, casual, wide range of equipment in great shape

Instructor was very experienced and knowledgeable.

"patient, thoughtful teacher
great, useful project"

hands on. safety. walk away with product.

Woodworking with Joseph Budka at Pagoda Studies was worth every cent. For nearly six hours, Joseph explained, in detail, the works of at least five important shop machines, then safety tips and eight woodworking techniques, all as part of our construction of aesthetically pleasing cutting boards. Before this class, I had no idea I could make something so useful so easily.

Good class size. I've taken a woodworking class through another local business where my experience wasn't so great -- they had so many people taking the class that I had to stand in line for 30+ minutes just to wait my turn to use the band saw.

The idea of the place is great, but in terms of the activities they offered, the level was for children not adults. BIG disappointment!

Joseph was really nice. The Maker Space is really awesome and it was a lot of fun be there. Joseph was obviously extremely knowledgeable but I found myself getting a little antsy after standing for 2 hours and only making one cut. The class was 6 hours long and the most interesting part of the class, the actual hands on part, was crammed into 1.5 hours at the end and actually went over the 6 hour time limit. I think the class could have probably been 3.5 hours if the verbal instruction was cut down a bit. I understand the Joseph wants to give a background and perhaps even some "theory" but maybe he could incorporate that a bit better with hand on, and possibly provide some chairs?