Recovery Boards

Learn Woodworking Through the Recovery of Cutting Board Factory Seconds

Tues. January 28 - Tues. March 11 (seven Tuesday Nights)
5:30pm - 8:00pm

Program Overview:

HatchSpace, in collaboration with Turning Point of Windham County and JK Adams, is pleased to offer a 7 week evening class in introductory woodworking for people in recovery. 

Working with factory seconds donated by JK Adams, students learn how to take cutting boards with imperfections and rework them into beautiful, finished cutting boards using a variety of woodworking tools and techniques. Over the course of the program, participants complete anywhere from six to twelve finished cutting boards or even more depending on which techniques they elect to use. 

In addition, at least twice during the course of the program, students will be joined by special guests who are currently employed in the skilled trades. Special guests will work alongside participants in the workshop, and informally share and answer questions about careers in the skilled trades. Past special guests have included independent contractors and project managers in the local construction industry. 

Recovery Boards is offered free-of-charge and open to a maximum of 8 participants. No prior woodworking experience is required, and prior Recovery Boards participants may re-enroll. Participants will also have the opportunity to keep or donate their finished cutting boards with proceeds benefiting the program. Those who successfully complete all  seven weeks of the program may also be eligible to enroll as members at HatchSpace for a discounted rate with instructor approval. 

Class Schedule:

  • Seven Tuesday Nights, 5:30 - 8:00 pm beginning Tuesday, January 28 through Tuesday, March 11, 2025

What You'll Learn

Participants will learn a number of core woodworking skills, including: 

  • Construction Techniques: Participants will understand how cutting boards are constructed, reviewing rough wood milling techniques, lamination practices, cutting and carving options, as well as sanding, and finishing techniques.  

  • Traditional Hand Skills: participants will be introduced to the foundational tools used in all woodworking applications, including the use and tuning of chisels, hand planes, saws, and scrapers, as well as tool sharpening techniques. 

  • Machine Techniques: participants will be introduced to handheld and stationary power tools for stock preparation, including the planer, jointer, tablesaw, bandsaw, drill press, router table, and sanders.

  • Finish Techniques: participants will gain an understanding of the importance of finish work, from sanding to the differences between various finish products and those that are food safe.  

  • Assessment Skills: The damaged cutting boards come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes with several different issues to be repaired.  Participants will identify imperfections in their cutting boards, and gain an understanding of the probable cause. After assessing and understanding how an imperfection may have occurred, participants learn how to visualize and plan for possible alterations and solutions for a cutting board with imperfections.

  • Design Skills: Many of the boards will need to be remilled and shaped.  Participants will visualize and plan an approach to rework their cutting board utilizing the construction techniques previously covered.

Class Instructor: Tom Bodett
Tom has been a lifelong woodworker and carpenter in addition to his career as an author and humorist. He is also in long-term recovery himself. He co-founded HatchSpace in 2018 with the intention of creating a shared community workspace where people might learn from accomplished craftspeople, and each other. Tom loves sharing his joy of woodworking and tries to make sure students in his classes are having as much fun as he is.

Class Recovery Coach: Justin Johnston 

Justin Johnston is a Community Resource Specialist with the Brattleboro Police Department and volunteer Recovery Coach with Turning Point of Windham County. Justin was formerly the Director of Engagement with Turning Point, and has almost a decade of experience serving as a Recovery Coach.

How to Register:
Interested students who are in active recovery should complete the form below for next steps.