Woodworking vs. DIY Workshops – Which one should you choose?
Not sure which course to book? We often hear from people who want to build confidence with tools but aren’t sure which course is right for them. Some book our Woodwork Hand Tool Skills workshop when they’re really looking for DIY skills—and vice versa!
So, if you’re wondering:
• Do I need woodworking or DIY skills?
• What’s the difference between woodworking and home DIY?
• Which course will help me learn what I need?
…this guide will help you decide!
Woodworking or DIY?
There’s a big difference between woodworking (fine craft and furniture-making) and DIY (practical home improvement). Which one is right for you?
🪵 Let’s take a closer look at our woodworking courses…
At Ash & Co, our woodworking courses cover traditional techniques and skills with hand tools.
• Skills: The skills covered on our woodworking courses include measuring, marking, sawing, chiselling, planing and sanding.
• End result: Students of our woodworking courses are interested in fine woodworking and subjects such as furniture making and precision joinery.
• Best for: A woodworking workshop is best for people who love working with their hands and want to make high-quality wooden items or are interested in taking up woodworking as a hobby or career.
🛠 What about the DIY workshops?…
Our DIY workshops are all about practical home improvement — learning the skills to fix, build and install things around the home.
• Skills: The skills covered on our DIY courses include drilling, screwing, fixing into walls, cutting sheet materials, filling & sanding, painting & decorating. We have several different courses for these different areas of DIY.
• End result: Students of our DIY courses are looking to gain the skills to complete functional projects for the home, such as installing shelves and curtain rails, hanging pictures, building storage solutions or painting and decorating like a pro.
• Best for: Our range of DIY workshop are best for people who want to improve their home, be more self-sufficient and be more confident with tools.
Now you know whether a Woodwork or DIY course is right for you, it’s time to choose which one!
Answer the following questions to find the right course for you…
Q. Do you fancy a woodwork experience day, trying out a few hand tools and techniques?
Q. Would you like to take home an item you’ve made at the end of the workshop?
If you answered 'yes' check out our Introduction to Woodwork – Make a Chopping Board Workshop
Q. Do you want to get in-depth with traditional woodworking skills like sawing and using a hand plane?
Q. Do you want to learn how to sharpen hand tools like a pro?
If you answered 'yes' check out our Introduction to Woodwork – Hand Tool Skills Workshop
Q. Do you want to make friends with an electric drill?
Q. Do you want have lots of practice using a drill to build confidence?
Q. Do you want to be able to tackle home projects like putting up shelves, curtain rails, or assembling furniture?
If you answered 'yes' check out our Beginners DIY in a Day Workshop
Q. Are you looking for an advanced DIY course covering more complex home projects?
If you answered 'yes' check out our How to Build Virtually Anything Workshop
Q. Do you want to improve your decorating skills such as filling, sanding and painting?
If you answered 'yes' check out our Decorate in a Day Workshop
Key takeaways - What’s the difference between the Ash & Co Woodwork and DIY courses?
Introduction to Woodwork – Make a Chopping Board Workshop
✅ Use hand tools to make a hardwood chopping board from scratch.
✅ Introduction to woodworking skills such as sawing, chiseling, sanding and finishing.
✅ A great one-day introduction to woodworking for complete beginners.
Introduction to Woodwork – Hand Tool Skills Workshop
✅ Learn how to use traditional hand tools (planes, chisels, saws).
✅ Master skills like sawing, sharpening and using a hand plane.
✅ Great if you want to be able sharpen hand tools for fine woodworking.
Beginners DIY in a Day Workshop
✅ Hands-on experience with power drills, drill bits and wall fixings.
✅ Learn how to hang shelves, pictures, curtain rails and more on your walls.
✅ Perfect for homeowners, home-improvers, or anyone wanting to be more self-sufficient.
How to Build Virtually Anything (Intermediate DIY)
✅ For those who already have basic DIY skills and want to build larger projects.
✅ Learn how things are built, different ways to connect things together and have a go with power tools.
✅ Great for people who want to build their own shelving units, furniture or home projects.
Decorate in a Day
✅ Learn how to fully prep your walls like a pro.
✅ Hands-on – get lots of practice sanding, filling and painting!
✅ Perfect for anyone that wants to decorate their home properly without paying others to do it.
3. Still Not Sure?
If you’re still wondering which course is best for you, drop us a message — we’re happy to help!
💬 Send us an email and we’ll guide you to the right choice.
👉 Or, explore all our courses here ›
