Workshop safety & dust collection
Plan the work area, dust collection and setup checks for a familiar operation.
WoodWorkCalc / Academy
Build your woodworking skills.
Learn woodworking, CNC, laser work and small-shop business skills. Choose a learning path, follow the examples and practice on your own project.
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Workshop safety & dust collection
5 min estimated reading · Practice at your own pace
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Choose your learning path
Browse every lesson- 01 / FoundationsLearn essential shop skills, choose an offer and understand costs.
- 02 / AdvancedRefine techniques, quote complete jobs and build customer relationships.
- 03 / ProfessionalPlan production, cash flow and sustainable growth.
Browse the lessons
Key concepts, worked examples and practical exercises26 lessons across all paths
Grain, moisture & movement
Understand how grain and moisture affect panel sizing and movement clearance.
Reference faces & accurate layout
Use consistent reference faces and edges to keep measurements and repeated parts accurate.
Cut lists, kerf & rough stock
Check whether parts fit your stock after allowing for kerf, trim and rough milling.
Joinery that allows movement
Choose joint clearances and fastening details that accommodate wood movement.
Estimates, quotes & actual costs
Build a complete estimate and use actual job costs to improve the next quote.
CNC setup & work zero
Align stock dimensions, toolpaths and work zero before running a CNC job.
CNC workholding & clearance
Keep the workpiece and offcuts secure throughout the cut, including when parts separate.
Feed rate, RPM & chip load
Calculate nominal chip load and understand which setup details the formula leaves out.
CNC job costing
Allocate programming, setup, machine time and labor across the order.
Laser setup & job position
Check material suitability, focus, job position and enabled operations before a laser test.
LightBurn material testing
Compare labeled samples and select settings that meet the project’s quality requirements.
Laser layers & cut order
Sequence engraving and cuts so the work stays aligned and supported.
Laser product & batch pricing
Calculate the cost of each saleable item, including setup, finishing and rejected pieces.
Where do I start?
Choose one achievable woodworking offer, test demand and plan your first paid pilot.
Tools of the trade
Build an operation-based tool plan and decide which capability to own, access or outsource.
Get your business off the ground
Prepare a practical launch checklist, startup budget and customer-to-delivery process.
Friends, referrals & practical help
Ask for useful introductions and feedback, and set clear boundaries when friends help your business.
Shop rate & realistic capacity
Calculate an internal labor recovery rate using productive hours and a clearly defined cost base.
Price the complete job
Turn a full cost estimate into a clear customer quote with scope boundaries and priced options.
Break-even & cash timing
Calculate a simple break-even quantity and plan when a job needs cash before final payment.
Find your first clients
Choose relevant customer channels and turn an enquiry into a qualified, scoped project.
Set up business social media
Set up a useful business presence and a simple path from a post or message to a quote.
Content that supports sales
Create a repeatable content routine and evaluate it by suitable enquiries and accepted work.
Local markets & craft fairs
Evaluate a market, cost the event and prepare stock, display and follow-up before booking.
Trade shows & wholesale buyers
Distinguish supplier shows from buyer events and prepare a wholesale offer the shop can fulfill.
Learn through a project
Choose a project, adjust its dimensions and work through the drawing, material list and assembly steps.
Explore guided projectsWorkshop resources
Air extraction system design
Combine ports, hoses, bends and filters to calculate the airflow and pressure your fan needs. Compare design changes and create an equipment specification.
Plan an extraction setupBit & tooling library
Compare cutting profiles, collet engagement, material zero and laser focus. Use illustrated guides alongside the matching calculators.
Choose a bit or check a setupWorkshop reference library
Look up a specific technique, material calculation, production question, or pricing concept.
Browse reference articlesTroubleshooting
Find likely causes of common problems and work through checks to narrow them down.
Open troubleshootingSources & references
Find wood science, machine manuals, business guidance, platform documentation and real woodworking business cases.
Browse public sourcesLightBurn is a third-party product. WoodWorkCalc is not affiliated with or endorsed by LightBurn. Publicly accessible sources retain their own copyright and licensing terms.