Best Woodworking Classes in Brooklyn (Reviewed)

Cody
| Last Updated: September 20, 2020

Tool Tango is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

​You may not think of Brooklyn as a place that is super conducive to woodworking – that is, until you remember that Brooklyn has the Navy Yard, also known as one of the United States’ original manufacturing hubs.

This do it yourself spirit remains in Brooklyn today and has inspired a plethora of awesome woodworking classes and maker spaces to fit all of your woodworking needs.

Round-up of the Best Woodworking Classes in Brooklyn

Here is our list of the best woodworking classes you can find in the Brooklyn area. One of them is even hosted within the Navy Yard itself…

​Best Woodworking Class in Brooklyn:
Craftsman Ave

​Basic Info

  • Location: 117B 11th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
  • Phone Number: (917) 250-3821
  • E-mail: hello@craftsmanave.com

PROS

  • Great for birthday parties
  • Close to public transportation
  • Gives safety glasses to all attendees
  • Space is clean, open, and beautifully designed

Why Did This Class Make Our List

If it is a tool that can be used in woodworking, Craftsman Ave has it in stock! Check out their list of available tools: drill presses, table saws, bandsaws, jig saws, scroll saws, power drills, buffing wheels, grinders, polishing wheels, sandblasting cabinets, hand tools, and air compressors.

And that just covers the tools that are related to woodworking. Craftsman Ave has a ton of additional crafting tools as well!

What Types of Programs Are Offered?

Craftsman Ave is primarily a maker space that also offers a bunch of different classes on a variety of different crafting topics, not only woodworking.

The workshops range between one and two hours in length. Craftsman Ave prides itself on keeping its class sizes small so that all attendees are guaranteed to have more one on one time with their excellent instructors. Attendees pay on a per class basis.

​Best Advanced Woodworking Class in Brooklyn:
Bien Hecho Academy

​Basic Info

  • Location: Bien Hecho Academic, Brooklyn Navy Yard, 63 Flushing Ave, Building 3 (between 5th & 8th Streets), Suite 1110, 11th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11205
  • Main Contacts: John Randall and Tim Dowse
  • Phone Number: (718) 237-2999
  • E-mail: info@bienhechobklyn.com

PROS

  • All tools are high quality
  • Friendly, informative instructors
  • Focuses on both small and large projects
  • Provides additional education about the Navy Yard

Why Did This Class Make Our List?

If you are looking for woodworking classes that focus on every single little detail of crafting a piece from beginning to end – you are not going to find a better option than the Bien Hecho Academy.

They will work with you when your wood piece is basically still part of a tree, and take you all the way up to the end coat of finish for you to display it in your home.

What Types of Programs Are Offered?

Although they do tend to focus more on the advanced concepts of woodworking, they also offer beginner classes, and they are considerate enough to offer them at a variety of different times, so you can accommodate your busy schedule. They offer additional classes that focus on specific areas of woodworking, such as working with hand tools or with certain woods such as walnut. You pay on a per class basis.

​Best Woodworking Makerspace in Brooklyn:
Makeville

​Basic Info

  • Location: 125 8th St., Booklyn, NY 11215
  • Phone Number: (917) 873-5542
  • E-mail: hello@makeville.com

PROS

  • Wide open, welcoming space
  • Reasonable membership prices
  • Registration is done entirely online
  • Staff and teachers are friendly and helpful

Why Did This Class Make Our List?

We were drawn to the powerful purpose behind Makeville: encouraging people to “build and fix rather than consume and dispose” (from the mission statement on their website.

Makeville is focused on providing people with the tools they need to create their own furniture and other needs. They have a lot of high quality tools available, but keep in mind you do need to book time in the shop in advance to work with them. 

What Types of Programs Are Offered?

Makeville hosts a ton of different instructors with a wide range of expertise. They offer a lot of woodworking basics classes, including an introductory class, a class covering safety in the wood shop, and 101 classes focused on table saws, milling lumber, hand tools, routers, and lathes.

You can sign up for membership to their space, but classes are extra and are not limited to only members.

​Best Woodworking Class for Beginners in Brooklyn:
SPark Workshop

​Basic Info

  • Location: Spark Workshop Brooklyn, 140 58th St., Building A, Unit 5N-1, Brooklyn, NY 11220
  • Main Contact: None listed
  • Phone Number: (917) 548-7487
  • E-mail: info@sparkworkshopbrooklyn.com

PROS

  • Affordable prices
  • Beautiful large space
  • Knowledgeable instructors
  • Classes are open to all, not just members

Why Did This Class Make Our List?

The Spark space was recently renovated, so it is truly top of the line when it comes to maker spaces. It is also HUGE, at over 20,000 square feet! Unlike a lot of maker spaces, it offers members the option to keep their projects in individual storage spaces, so that you will not have to worry about your project being disturbed while you are not present.

What Types of Programs Are Offered?

SPark Workshop focuses primarily on the maker space aspect of its offerings, and has actually temporarily suspended classes as they adjust to their new space. However, when their classes are up and running, attendees report that this is the best class option for beginner woodworkers in all of Brooklyn. Attendees do not need to be members, but if you do have a membership you can get a class discount.

Conclusion

If you need to get a woodworking project done, get it done in Brooklyn, New York! With such a wide range of classes and maker spaces available, Brooklyn is sure to not disappoint. We promise you will be satisfied with any of the awesome classes we have reviewed above.