Carpenter VS Woodworker

What do you call yourself? What is the difference between a carpenter and a woodworker? And what about a cabinet maker, joiner, or chair maker. How do those fit into woodworkers and carpenters?
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[@anonymousaccordionist3326]

I call myself a woodsmith.

[@jasonpark1556]

My job has strictly to do with my will to live so I call myself will smith

[@goonghost7821]

Legit

[@WerezerRoo]

😮😊

[@wayneswonderarium]

If a machinist builds machine parts and I build wood parts does that make me a woodist? 🤔

[@kirstenkendall6479]

I always thought of a woodworker as someone who pursued it as a hobby, and a carpenter as someone who pursued it as a career. You learn something new every day. 🤷‍♀️

[@philaandrew100]

Some days after a less than average day in the workshop I identify as a Woodbutcher....

[@jat91990]

😂😂😂

[@mawmawlisa]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@talexanderbirch8186]

I'm a carpenter aspiring to woodworking. Specifically, I build houses, but I'm starting to get into woodworking as a hobby. The way I understand it is like this: Carpenters build the fixed space, Joiners build the fixed units off-site that are then installed in the space, and Woodworkers build the things that fill the space.

[@RamaSivamani]

I think the best title would either be "grand producer of wood curls" or "sawdust generator"

[@cornofthecobb278]

In the UK we generally call a someone who works in a shop professionally a Joiner and someone who works professionally on site with wood a Carpenter. Although a Fine Carpenter who builds something in a shop and then fits it onto a building like a door or window we'd call them a Site Joiner. Woodworker is reserved for the hobbyist or someone who doesn't do it as a profession!!

[@louiecameron1262]

I love this, i live up north, and I'm technically a site carpenter, but we're called joiners, and the company is a 'joinery' company, although we work completely on site... always confused me

[@Tizzer169]

I never knew that these definitions were only used in the UK

[@guentherkoffler9408]

In German it is very easy, Zimmermann builds houses and roofs, Tischler makes the interior. Doors, cabinets, tables, chairs etc. you may consult google translate to check what they come up with….

[@victorquesada7530]

someone who's trying to keep this house from falling down, the bugs from getting in, and the furniture fixed when my kids have messed them up. I have to say that this corner of the internet showed me how to cut the wood to get a new woodsill in place, how to reinforce and strengthen the bits and pieces that were warping under their own weight, and generally have been better off for having learned from you all. so thanks.

[@carsonholmquist6301]

As a foreman carpenter that started as a framer and now am the one to do kitchen bath and finish work I attain to be a fine woodworker someday when I have the time I agree with this video

[@johnmm]

Paul Sellers is addressing same issue on his blog today. Paul and you taught me something today - thank you. "I think modern carpentry has mostly adopted the US methods of stick-frame structuring of walls and trusses none of which is joined with joinery which is why hurricanes and tornadoes have a field day... Nailing is the third component anchoring all components together and replacing joints, something true joiners and furniture makers really use or solely rely on to hold things together. ... In Britain a cabinet maker does not build kitchens and bathrooms as in the USA but is a furniture maker and is unlikely to ever make kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Certainly here in the UK carpenters have followed the USA with all components being stick-framed together where needed and all else air-nailed together for speed and cost."

[@clintbrown4691]

I think you hit the nail on your head with your comment m modern era. My grandpa was born in 1927 and he called himself a carpenter. He spent his whole life as a carpenter, he would do everything from stick framing timber framing building cabinets building doors building furniture. I myself have been in the trades for about 30 years now mostly carpentry of some aspect and home building. I also build furniture doors cabinets but I honestly never thought of what to call myself.......but in today's word it seems as if trades are more specialized finish Carpenter rough Carpenter would worker etc

[@scottswineford6714]

In the mid 80s when I said I was building a house, that's pretty much what I did. The trenches for the footing was dug and the plumbing was in the ground. I put up the forms, poured and finished the concrete, assembled and installed the walls, siding, sheathing and sometimes the roofing. Also I installed the doors and windows and after Sheetrock built and installed the cabinets in the bathroom and kitchen after painting I installed the trim.

[@alexandriabrown3427]

I aspire to do both therefore I typically call myself an apiring carpenter. I want to build houses and learn how everything works... as well as being an skilled woodworker that can build furniture and appliances with beautiful designs. That way I can combine the two hobbies later in life.

[@gofgwoodworking]

I'm a joiner, look it up, I work in my shop and in the field. Thank you for bringing this one up lol

[@leongerard317]

Both because I do both mill from scratch shape straight line mold plane ect .. also build and install

[@odisepps561]

I frame houses, do trim work, and build furniture so I guess it’s not a problem for me.

[@SchoolEsportTV]

In Poland there is no such word as "woodworker" there is just carpenter: Making kitchen cabinets? Carpenter Making fine furniture? Carpenter Building roofs? Carpenter Turning on lathe? Carpenter I try to explain every time to a person that because I say I am a carpenter I will not make a kitchen for You! I make fine furniture and no I don't know how to build a wooden house! 😁

[@tablier8509]

This seems very easy and extremely complicated all at the same time 😄

[@christianmartinez9649]

Hey I have been learning Polish, would you consider a Luthier (guitar maker) a carpenter?

[@silkroadpl7155]

Not so easy... there is a word, distingushed Professional who work with construction, this is "cieśla"; derivated from "ciosło", which is an adze. Recently "cieśla" is recognized as a roof construction maker, then there is "dekarz", who makes roof decking.

[@silkroadpl7155]

​@@christianmartinez9649luthier this will be "lutnik" not so far ...

[@ethanpendergraff8316]

See I build houses and would love nothing more than to learn to build furniture

[@andrewgarratt5191]

Both are very broad terms… (Especially before 2008) A Carpenter could be Timber framers, Balloon framers, Form carpenters, Trim guys, fence builders, Cabinet makers…. The list goes on. Woodworker could be a Plane maker, a joiner, antique restorer, chip carver, pattern maker…. “Even the weird guys that electrocute wood” the list goes on. Typically carpenters have tolerances and allowances where as the “woodworker” has nothing to hide behind. I personally prefer the term “Gentleman Carpenter” when referring to Carpenters that smell just as good when they finish their work as they did when they first started. You take wood, turn it into stuff. that’s a carpenter, it’s a title to be very proud of.

[@ElohssArehtonAtsuj]

Thank You for helping clarify that 👍i went to Delhi N.Y. for Carpenrty in 97 so i always call myself a Carpenter. but i have woren a few hats over the last few years doing complete home renovations thats doing trim drywall even hanging perfab garbage kitchen cabinets in "million$ "homes" even worked hanging drop ceilngs for some years and then helping restore antique furniture using periodic tools and techniques to keep its historic value. verse just destorying it with an orbital sander and polyurethane. AnYhOwsErs no matter the hat i wear i started with rough framing so i am a carpenter...

[@XxStratAttackxX]

Well your definitions are correct. I am both a finish carpenter and woodworker.

[@silamaleesri8661]

In the UK I think we call a fine carpenter as joiners which is what I'm trained in though I mainly make furniture now. Over the pond here a carpenter makes the main structure of the house and thr joiner makes things that goes into it like skirting and doors etc

[@Mogliz0rz]

I'm a joiner in Scotland (qualified with advanced craft in Carpentry & Joinery) I see "carpentry" as the finer work, and "joinery" as the job where we gotta attach stuff together or work with multiple materials and understand how they work together, like fixing a floor with tiles on top, you gotta know what to remove and how far to get fixings to tie in to the old, and keep it all strong and expanding/contracting in a way that joins/seals/strength are not compromised. I'd say a carpenter is working solely with wood, normally constructing things and using finer skills like planes and perhaps with wood/varnish finishes, whereas the joiner is probably chucking on skirtings and caulking it all to hell, or is able to fit a kitchen, but a carpenter may struggle with fitting a kitchen as it's more "site work" Either joiner or carpenter I'd call "woodworker" It's funny how we all seem to have a different feel from these words lol.

[@buildandbescene]

I agree with that for sure

[@lincolndickerson1293]

I turn boards into so sawdust… I am a destroyer of order.

[@thijspluis9998]

in my language we have woodworker. thats the big term. subcategorys is furniture making, carpenter, and interiour builder. and I see a trent where the more furniture you make the more handtools you have. the more interiours you make, the less handtools you have.

[@paco_vazquez]

I wish I could call myself either term. I’m currently an apprentice. I make mistakes, and make some progress in learning how to fix them. Next will be how to avoid them…. Long and happy journey

[@nicolehuntley6932]

I identity as a circular saw! My boyfriend wrote this! He said all are just wood butchers 😂

[@Janibek35]

A "woodchuck"... maybe? As a carpenter's informal apprentice, I retrieve wood, cut it, and do whatever else he needs help with. At least I learn a lot (he actively teaches), during the process.

[@Percivalzulu]

"how do you identify" that can be pure genius subtle violence 😂 Gather here

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Here you go. dfmtoolworks.com/products/a2-steel-dowel-plate I have a few videos showing it news as well.

[@itzstone]

Training to be a carpenter now, cant wait to start building homes for people!

[@mrsweet4955]

Just the thought of building something out of wood excites me and makes me want to learn everything there is to know about handling wood. I have yet to master any skills so what does that make me?

[@Ice_Berg]

I'm just your regular hobbyist hand tool woodworker and I sometimes get defensive about being called a carpenter just because I am absolutely not qualified to do any serious carpentry. I have nothing but respect for carpenters of all kinds, but I don't want friends or family to consider me one because I don't want them expecting I can help fix their roof or remodel their whole kitchen.

[@tylerdeyo6024]

I frame houses and tinker with planes and disstons in my garage on the weekends. And I'd agree. Easiest way I distinguish between the two is a carpenter relies on fasteners like nails screws ect. to hold whatever they build together. Woodworking relies on joinery and for the most part has much higher standards for accuracy, asthetics, ect. Ones work and the other is art if u ask me

[@iosif4619]

Donnell looks like that drunk uncle that dishes out all the time but can’t take it 😂

[@jerrybrown1446]

The word carpenter originally was used to describe carriage makers according to a channel called Rob Words.

[@danielbackley9301]

40 years ago as a carpenter's apprentice I was taught that there were framers and trim carpenters.

[@turtlethuggin]

I'm a framer but I like the pretty things. All trades deserve respect, tho

[@colinfarquhar6541]

How about a hierarchy of woodworkers with Pattern makers at the top house framers at the bottom and everybody else arguing in the middle?

[@acarpentersson8271]

So, a cabinet maker is a woodworker since he builds cabinets in his shop and installs them in a home. What about a trump carpenter who builds cabinets on site, in place? These we call built-in cabinets. The only real change is the location where the cabinets are built. I would say that anyone who uses a tool to measure , a tool to square, and fasteners to hold the pieces together during the build process is a carpenter. There are different types of carpentry, but if you aren't just shaping wood (carving figures or turning wood) then you are a carpenter of some kind.

[@vans6533]

I call my self an engineer u all work for me😂❤

[@michaelhamers7499]

Back in the day, a carpenter was someone who worked in the field, usually someone who builds houses and the like. And they handle all apects of such things. A joiner was the person who built furniture and such, in a specific place, usually a wood shop. A joiner didn't go into the field.

[@dannailer657]

In my area we say rough carpenter and trim carpenter.

[@ysbel]

I’ve heard of the term joiner to describe someone who works at a bench and makes furniture.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

That's another common one.

[@dntflipmetit]

Professional door joiner and that's pretty on

[@BillHartCooks.]

I Identify as a maker. I work with lots of wood, but that is not my only medium.

[@JoeGerossie]

Great topic! I like when people say they’re a master carpenter or someone they know is. I say oh wow where’d they get that license?

[@joshh5336]

I'm a carpenter by trade. I also have built most of the furniture in my house, Kitchen cabinets and vanities, stairs. I enjoy wood turning. I also restore classic vehicles and can weld. I can plumb and wire house, run an excavator and lay block and brick proficiently. I can do most hvac tasks as well. Yada yada yada, I've learned to do many things in my career. I prefer to be labeled as a carpenter.

[@adamguinnmusic5871]

I definitely think it's good to differentiate. The average person isn't going to know the difference anyway. I tell people I'm a carpenter and a woodworker because I can build a house and also a cabinet. Most people think the guys doing their drywall and electricity are also carpenters though😆

[@andrewrodriguez9345]

I know cabinetry and finish carpentry. I can install a kitchen and all types of trim and molding. I wouldn't call myself a carpenter. To me a carpenter is a framer. A woodworker, as I know it, is somebody who works in the shop and works with solid wood, not so much compressed wood. In my mind woodworker quickly turns into furniture maker and that is a rung or two above what I do. I can do a lot of things with wood but making furniture is out of my realm, not because of geometry but because of wood species and cuts of grain.

[@Zamboni-0805]

There is a big difference between a carpenter, a finish carpenter, and a woodworker.

[@thomaslist252]

Love the shirt

[@christianmartinez9649]

I want that shirt!

[@jesus2621]

In may country is called a Carpenter the Guy Who makes thing with wood

[@bestie_i_9103]

I define as wanting to learn the skills

[@Opperstopper762]

Actually now a days Carpenters rarely work on would with how quickly metal studs and from work are expanding

[@edm00se]

I identify as Eric. I do this thing on occasion where I convince some wood into about the right shape and I feel proud of myself. When on those occasions I wind up with fire wood at the end, I don’t feel proud.

[@japascho]

I'm glad there's pretty straight terminology for this in German 😆

[@davidkeaton340]

Ok I will throw this at you all a Scaffolder is In the carpenter's Union In the US. And they work predominantly with metal structure.

[@danielbackley9301]

That's because scaffolding used to be made of wood. But then buildings got taller and pattent scaffolding came along thus the scaffold erecting folks are carpenters union members and most of the time its erected by the guys on site as just part of the job .

[@benjamindivner3860]

I just collect palettes from the trash behind factories lying to myself I’ll make something out of it😂

[@ianpearse4480]

I call myself nearly human! LOL

[@wLd-ll1fb]

In Germany you have "Schreiner" like wood worker in a shop, cabinet maker etc. And "Zimmermann", building houses, rough work etc. These are not the same, you have very define job descriptions and qualifications

[@aprilm.wemigwans-mezimegwa541]

Ok for me being female a suppose workers and co workers like to refer to me as being green or newbie which I suppose I’m kind of. Well I grew up helping my dad so I know some but I love to learn. Anyway so I started as preapprentice for carpentry They helped get my foot in the door I guess so when done they ‘recommended’ I apply labour union and since I’ve been searching for work for awhile I took it. Finished first year training working on gaining hours. Anyway surprised no actually ‘ f kin flabbergasted’ at the line men draw between carpenters and labours. Not sure why they call me a labour at trade school which I go back two more times once hours achieve anyway at school they call me and other like me construction craft worker I like it. But I also love love working with wood but I also like concrete no kin clue as to why. I like how you define carpenters but at my previous work site all the carpenters tgere call themselves carpenters I mean I’ve been around carpenters my entire life nearly my entire family the guys are all carpenters. At worker we do form work for concrete and concrete pours it’s what they trained us to do But when both union workers f labours and carpenter are involved these young lads some 26 done a bit older but still working on being fully certified. Anyway the carpenters were the only ones who did the form work. And I was limited to doing set up. Clean up. But it could be my own ignorance

[@raycormier9775]

I started framimg at 18 went on to finish at 22 started my own company at 27 and am now 34 with a finiab carpentry business and a woodshop in my garage id rather be called a carpenter than a woodworker i make furniture custom built ins cabinets and i have no problem bwimg called a carpenter if a "woodworker"wants to yalk down on a carpenter i would say 98 percent of carpenters would drop 100 percent of woodworkers in 1 shot to the chin

[@jdpowell6405]

I had to watch this twice since I was laughing at the shirt 😂 also, I identify as a meat popsicle.

[@jeremyv2040]

My impression; A Carpenter is 1 who is skilled in many areas of building (Umbrella) Those are far & in-between ..There are more framers and even more 2 car Craftsman out there..however I do believe there are less "woodworkers" than there are any 'trade'..Though all spit sawdust.

[@gabrielchristy7341]

There are carpenter, Joyner, cabinetmaker, chairmaker, turner, blockmaker, and bodger.

[@gabrielchristy7341]

And all of these are mechanycks.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

what about coopers?

[@gabrielchristy7341]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo oh dang. And I forgot shipwrights, wheelwrights, boatwrights, cartwrights, carriagemakers, and to confuse everyone even more, ship's carpenters.

[@JamieCrickmore-gs9so]

I identify as a knuckle dragging axe swinger who likes to make things.

[@nicholassprunk2581]

I’m a trim carpenter . I would also accept tree manipulator

[@alexnepu1561]

In french it's even more complicated. There's "charpentier" which is carpenter, "menuisier" which would be woodworker and "ébéniste" for fine woodworking

[@GCaF]

I identify based on what I'm doing. If I'm helping someone build/fix their roof - I'm a carpenter. And will be called as such. If I'm making them a chair after... I'm a woodworker. But they may still call me carpenter force of habit :)) You know what helps? In my language it's the same word for both...

[@tren.hard.anavar.give.up.]

i would call and many other people would call a woodworker a joiner

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

There are lots of fun terms that get used in different locations and traditions.

[@philipnorthfield]

Joiner

[@SOCyak]

Every woodworker is a carpenter, every carpenter isn’t a woodworker.

[@chitray]

" How do you identify?", He says. Lol 😂

[@michaelarighi5268]

Wouldn't it be "finish carpenter," rather than "fine carpenter"? And a finish carpenter will do things like built-in shelves and the like. But it would be a cabinet maker or woodworker or furniture maker who would do free-standing units or large-scale built-ins (like kitchen cabinetry). For me? I like my wife's uncle's description of himself as a "barn carpenter."

[@swinea73]

I’m just a woodcutter hoping to become a woodworker someday.

[@K33176]

What if you build ships?

[@LOON-by3zl]

I tear down the room then rebuild it and then tile the shower so I guess I'm a carpenter cause that's what my boss says haha

[@thegingerdrumtech4253]

I'm a student of wood working ;o)

[@jstoeck784]

I like to think I am a woodworker, but I do a lot of carpentry.

[@FAFO4wisdom]

Im a woodsmith and carpenter. Not great at either, but good enough to not be the lowest paid on the crew.

[@BostonRunnah]

Moral of the story , everyone is a wood chucker if they chuck wood 🪵

[@zcribeYT]

I am a woodbender my friend

[@MrMNRichardWright]

Sawdust maker

[@thesweetone]

I'm a woodworker, I turn, make small items and such. But I have been a carpenter... Only on my own house mind you. Lol

[@robertlefler6644]

Master carpenter = all the above

[@krissk77]

Woodsmith...😊

[@quintdisseldorp1588]

Traditional windmill builder

[@doriWyo]

Considering that I can't do any of that, what should I call myself?

[@jfarmer1711]

I make and fix stuff. Often it's with wood. I usually get called a Jack-of-All-Trades.

[@colinlye3831]

I'm went to trade school for joinery, I'm a joiner 🤔

[@Tizzer169]

Joiner?

[@James-si6fm]

I identify as a "Frozen Popsicle"....

[@reverse5032]

Framer?

[@Musalman.279]

Hy, I'll be joining a college in Canada next year for 2 year carpentry diploma,can you tell me if I would need mathematics practically,and if yes ,what should I learn as a basic to cope with construction calculations later?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Mathematics is a big part of it. Particularly geometry especially if you want to work with any angles other than 90 and 45

[@Musalman.279]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo so should I search some geometry sessions on KZbin, that's it?

[@wonkywoody]

I'm a fine wood-hacker.

[@wayneswonderarium]

All squares are rectangles, but not all woodworkers are squares. Or are they? 🤔

[@Kingzman_808]

I think i would be a skilled woodworker. I mixed up the 2 meanings.

[@DawgieStyle]

Titles are for books just do what you do

[@Chris_Smith_burner_account]

I identify as an old man in his shop. Call me what you want, just don't call me late for dinner! In all seriousness, my dad was a genuine Carpenter. I do not have his skills, however he did not have my woodworking skills

[@phronze1]

I’m a hack of all trades