Human craft, AI-assisted learning, and practical woodworking knowledge.
This learning center is where Black River Woodworking shares useful, original woodworking
education from the shop: lumber selection, milling, joinery, heritage restoration, and the
decisions that help a project last in Atlantic Canada's climate.
Why We Are Building This Library
Many woodworking questions are easier to understand when they are shown instead of only
described. Our plan is to host educational videos on YouTube and keep supporting notes
here on the website so visitors can review the key points, terminology, and practical
choices after watching.
Some videos may use AI-assisted narration, diagrams, editing, or visual explanations.
The woodworking guidance remains grounded in human shop experience, local material
knowledge, and the hands-on realities of custom windows, doors, casework, columns,
lumber, and repair work.
Video Library
Upcoming Educational Videos
These video notes are ready for the two YouTube uploads. Once the videos are published,
we can replace the placeholders with embedded YouTube players and transcript summaries.
YouTube video coming soon
Understanding Lumber Thickness: 4/4, 5/4, 8/4 and Finished Size
A practical explanation of rough lumber thickness, why a board marked 4/4 does not
finish at a full inch, and how planing, jointing, cupping, and project requirements
affect the final usable dimension.
What visitors will learn
How quarter measurements work in lumber buying
Why rough, skip-planed, and finished boards measure differently
How to allow extra material for flattening and milling
When thicker stock is worth choosing for doors, rails, legs, and restoration parts
YouTube video coming soon
Choosing Wood Species for Custom Woodworking Projects
A guided look at common and specialty wood species, including how grain, hardness,
movement, finish, availability, and cost influence the best choice for a project.
What visitors will learn
How maple, cherry, walnut, oak, cedar, pine, and mahogany differ in use
Which species suit interior casework, doors, trim, and exterior details
Why seasonal movement matters in New Brunswick buildings
How to balance beauty, durability, budget, and repairability
How We Use AI in Woodworking Education
AI can help turn a complex shop topic into a clearer lesson by drafting outlines,
organizing terms, creating visual explanations, and helping prepare narration. It does not
replace the craft decisions made at the bench. Wood moves, old buildings are uneven, and a
repair often depends on the specific board, opening, profile, tool setup, and job site.
Our approach is to use AI as a teaching assistant while keeping the important judgment
connected to real woodworking practice. When a topic involves safety, structure, exterior
exposure, or heritage restoration, the final recommendation should still come from an
experienced woodworker who can inspect the conditions.
Lumber and Milling
Learn how rough boards are selected, flattened, planed, and prepared so a project starts
with stable material instead of hidden problems.
Heritage Windows and Doors
Explore why older windows and doors are often repaired, replicated, or matched rather than
replaced with off-the-shelf parts.
Custom Millwork
See how mouldings, profiles, columns, stair parts, and trim details are planned to fit an
existing building or a new custom design.
Have a woodworking question?
Send us a question or project photo. It may become the starting point for a future educational
article or video, especially if it helps other homeowners, builders, or students understand
traditional woodworking.