Puidutöid

Puidutöid is the Estonian term for woodworking, the practice of working with wood to create a wide range of objects, from construction timber and tools to furniture, decorative items and artworks. The field encompasses carpentry, joinery, woodturning, carving, marquetry and veneering, as well as modern processes such as plywood lamination and CNC-assisted fabrication. Practitioners may work by hand, with traditional tools, or with powered equipment, and often combine several techniques in a single project.

History and context: Woodworking is among the oldest crafts. Across cultures, skilled artisans produced shelters, furniture and vessels from wood. In Europe, guild systems and later industrial production shaped trades, standards, and specialized roles, from timber framing to cabinetmaking.

Techniques and processes: Common methods include cutting, planing, shaping and sanding; joining wood using mortise-and-tenon, dovetail, box joints or screws and glue; and surface finishing with oil, varnish, lacquer or wax. Woodturning and carving generate rounded forms and reliefs, while marquetry and veneering add decorative surfaces.

Materials and sustainability: Wood types vary in hardness, appearance and workability. Responsible practice emphasizes sustainable sourcing, proper seasoning, moisture control and waste reduction.

Tools and safety: The toolkit ranges from hand planes and saws to power tools such as routers, drills and lathes, with safety equipment and dust management essential.

Education and practice: Training often combines formal courses with apprenticeships or self-directed study, and is supported by communities, workshops and makerspaces.