Good Sunday Morning All,

In your opinion, what is the difference between a carpenter and a woodworker?

IMHO, a carpenter's primary objective is to fabricate a structure that will finished with drywall or a similar material.  Though the structure will be physically strong, he knows that in the end, his work will by and large be covered.  A woodworker on the other hand is concerned about the details and the structural soundness because all of his work will be open to scrutiny.  Case in point, a cabinet maker is a woodworker.  Interestingly, most carpenters hate finish work and most woodworkers hate rough carpentry.

1 hour ago, Ralph Allen Jones said:

carpenter and a woodworker

Carpenters work mainly to build and repair structures....

Woodworkers use wood to make things like furniture and cabinets and such....

Woodworkers fill up what the carpenter built...

25 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

Woodworkers fill up what the carpenter built...

Nice!

And us lowly wood turners sit here with things spinning in our minds. 

@Ron Dudelston Well stated, 'er written...you know what I mean! 

Great replies by all and a woodworker is one who can design, build pieces of any design and solve problems that occur in the process of the building of the object. Also the pieces we make are put on display for all to see however as already stated a carpenters work is mostly covered up in the end.

Well stated, Ron.

 

Before reading that I was thinking about sales tax here.   If I work on a bed or dresser, it's taxable labor; if I work on a stair railing or vanity, it's not taxable.   Sort of "personal property" vs. "real property."   In other words, if you move, can you take it with you?    The line sort of gets blurred with built-ins such as cabinets.  I know good trim carpenters who can do great built-in cabinetry, as well as good woodworkers.  And trim carpenters do visible stuff -- window and door trim, crown molding, stair rails and bannisters, base molding, paneling and

wainscoting.

 

I don't know of any carpenters who'd be real comfortable with a lathe.  Of course, I'm not real comfortable with one either.  I can only use so many spindles and bowls.

 

And it's not saying that one person can't have both skills.

 

The old saying is

- The rough carpenter cuts to the nearest quarter-inch.

- The trim carpenter to the nearest 1/8

- The cabinetmaker to the nearest 1/16

- The furniture maker to the nearest 1/32

- The boat maker to the nearest boat.

Edited October 30, 20169 yr by kmealy

7 minutes ago, Ralph Allen Jones said:

who can design, build pieces of any design and solve problems that occur in the process of the building of the object.

same for the carpenter...

 

Maybe there's more to it than carpenters build structures and woodworkers build nice things out of wood...If one were to have custom cabinets made would they not go to a carpenter ...?

 

It is carpenters that work in shops that make furniture and other items of wood...tables, chairs, lamps, frames, etc...Aren't those the same things we claim "woodworkers" build...?  Carpenters surely would be called "woodworkers"...can't say all woodworkers could be called carpenters...

 

A definition might require a sense of "when"...or is it more philosophical...?...and what about turners and scrollers that never touch a router or table saw, etc...  Dremel folks...chain saw sculpturers...  What do they want to be called...?  What if one pays union dues and belong to United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America...?  Weren't they different trades at one point...?  What if that same person loves "woodworking" as a hobby...?

 

My uncle was schooled and he apprenticed...he eventually became a "master carpenter" making fine furniture, cabinetry, coffins, etc...   And yes, he hung sheetrock and framed/trimmed to make money...

 

I'm just not sure it's as black and white ...

 

carpenters sure are getting trashed...

when did the caste system start.....

6 minutes ago, Nickp said:

I'm just not sure it's as black and white

thanks Nick...

29 minutes ago, Nickp said:

I'm just not sure it's as black and white ...

It's not Nick, great insight, great post!

You stated what I knew, but was just too lazy to think on it this time of the morning. Great job.

Woodworker is the term used when one feels the need to be superior to "just a carpenter" kinda like when referencing one who uses plans as a "laborer" as opposed to one who doesn't as a "true" woodworker.

I wonder what the most famous "Carpenter" would think of the disparaging comments.

Ok gents, slow down here, carpenters are not getting trashed. I was/am still a carpenter you could say, I was a framer on the housing tracts from the age of 17 till I joined the Army and after my service I came home and picked up where I left off till I became a surveyor years later, and I have seen it all from piece work to custom. Just a little joking going on around here, nothing more nothing less. That being said, you should hear the trash talk that goes on from the general carpentry end of the spectrum towards detail oriented finish carpenters and case-goods and custom furniture builders. If you've worked on the tracts, you've all heard it before.

"Just slam it in, this aint a rocket ship your building!"

"what, you think your a cabinet builder! Just cut the "expletive" thing and nail it up!"

"We don't have a miter saw here son, just square up the plate of your saw and make the "expletive" cut!"

"Rip it don't make love to it!"

"See those finish carpenters over there setting doors, they chose that job because they can't stand hard work!"

 

The list goes on, so give me a break, no trash talk going on, just having fun. Thin skin on TPW? I did not know it existed!

 

2 hours ago, Ron Dudelston said:

Interestingly, most carpenters hate finish work and most woodworkers hate rough carpentry.

Exactly, that is why each chose the trade they are in! And you'll get smart arse remarks coming from both ends as well.

IMHO, there's nothing more beautiful than the joinery used by skilled carpenters in the construction of a post and beam structure. 

OTOH, the perfectly executed chair, desk or cabinet using the same joinery techniques and philosophy, is a joy to behold. 

It's all a matter of dedication to ones craft and the eschewing of mediocrity in the pursuit of expediency. 

No matter what he chooses to call his profession, a master's work speaks for itself.

 

 

14 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

No matter what he chooses to call his profession, a master's work speaks for itself.

Lets throw some more fuel on the fire, I'll kick it off.

What's the difference between a trade and profession!

To me, carpentry starts with a 2x4 and works up.

But division of attention in wood also seems to follow architect/engineer differences:  architect largely only cares about the exterior view; engineer is happy on the inside.

I assume you've all heard the joke "only a civil engineer would run a sewer through a recreational area".  ?

The difference between a trade and a profession is a piece of paper called a Degree.  If you have a degree, you don't get involved with physical labor, except when swmbo says so.

Edited October 30, 20169 yr by It Was Al B