Palomar College
Cabinet & Furniture Technology

COURSE OFFERINGS

Courses numbered under 100 are not intended for transfer credit.

 

CFT 97 Cabinet and Furniture Technology Topics (.5-4)

Units awarded in topics courses are dependent upon the number of hours required of the student.   Any combination of lecture, laboratory, or lecture/laboratory may be scheduled by the department.   Refer to class schedule.

Note: May be taken 4 times

Topics in Cabinet and Furniture Technology.   See Class Schedule for specific topic covered.   Course title will designate subject covered.

 

CFT 100 Fundamentals of Woodworking (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Transfer acceptability: CSU

An introductory course in design and construction of wood products.   Survey, use, care and selection of woodworking machines and hand tools.   Explanation of the basic techniques of milling, joinery, assembly, and finishing.

 

CFT 105 Machine Woodworking/Furniture (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 2 times

Study, design, and development of practical applications for basic cabinet construction as utilized by the wood products industry.  Includes partitions, face frame, carcase, and basic door and drawer construction.  Operation of woodworking

machines, tools and processes, techniques, and care and suitability of tools and machines.

 

CFT 110 Machine Tool Joinery I         (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 3 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of CFT 110, CFT 111

Through the construction of a specific furniture project, students will advance to a sophisticated level of joinery and design-utilizing mortise and tenon, dovetails, frame and panel, and other joinery appropriate to fine furniture.  With the addition

of advanced machinery training, students will be able to develop and build a custom design of their choice, creating heirloom furniture in either traditional or contemporary styling.

 

CFT 111 Machine Tool Joinery II        (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 110

Note: May be taken 3 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of CFT 110, CFT 111

Completion of student built cabinet furniture project that incorporated solid wood and traditional joinery in its design.  Students will explore door and drawer construction methods, furniture hardware, and various finishing choices.  Creation

of special moldings and spindle turnings for decorating the carcase will also be explored.

 

CFT 120 Advanced Furniture Lab (.5,1,1.5,2,2.5,3)

1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, or 9 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 4 times

Laboratory for students who need additional lab time to complete difficult, complex projects.  Students will work under the supervision of an instructor.

 

CFT 122 Cabinetmaking Construction Lab (.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3)

1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, or 9 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 4 times

Laboratory for students who need additional lab time to complete difficult cabinetry and other complex projects.  Students will work under the supervision of an instructor.

 

CFT 124 Chair and Table Construction Lab (.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3)

1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, or 9 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 4 times

Provides additional laboratory time to complete complex projects required in other classes.

 

CFT 128 Stringed Instruments Lab (.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3)

1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, or 9 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 4 times

Laboratory for students who need additional lab time to complete difficult stringed instruments or other complex projects.  Students will work under the supervision of an instructor.

 

CFT 130 Stringed Instrument Making (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 4 times

Through the fabrication of a steel stringed guitar, students will study the: history, tone theory, construction processes, materials, finishing and set up of stringed instruments.  Students will work together, production style, milling raw lumber from local sources into guitar part blanks.  Students will then work individually constructing their own guitar.  Traditional and modern methods of construction and fabrication are explored.

 

CFT 131 Stringed Instruments II (3,4,5)

1.5, 2, or 2.5 hours lecture-4.5, 6, or 7.5 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 130 and CFT 100

Note: May be taken 4 times

A continuation of CFT 130, and the second semester of a year long curriculum.  Students will complete the construction of the body, neck, and other components of the instrument.  Finishing and final set-up techniques will be covered and utilized by students.

 

CFT 141 Making Woodworking Tools (.5,1,2,3)

1, 2, 4, or 6 hours lecture/laboratory

Note: May be taken 4 times

Making traditional woodworking tools used to make furniture and chairs.  Topics include the history and uses of tools, materials and design, layout of the stock, equipment needed to make and finish the tools, sharpening and fitting the blades, forging and heat treating steel parts.  Types of tools include spoke shaves, shaving horses, steaming devices and bending forms.

 

CFT 142 The Art and Craft of Planemaking (.5,1,2,3)

1, 2, 4, or 6 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 3 times

This course will teach students to make wooden hand planes.  Through the use of lecture, handouts, demonstrations and videos, the following topics will be covered: the history of planemaking; tuning and using wooden and metal planes; designing a plane; making and tuning laminated planes; cutting, tempering and sharpening a plane iron; designing, making and using a wooden plane.

 

CFT 143 Decorative Box Making (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 2 times

Concentrates on the skills and techniques needed to make finely crafted heirloom quality boxes.  Types of boxes include: jewelry, cigar humidor, and silver chest.  Topics include: design, function, selection of materials, construction techniques, partitions, linings, hardware, assembly techniques, hinge installation, and finishing techniques.

 

CFT 144 Production Furniture Making (Toys) (.5,1)

1 or 2 hours lecture/laboratory

Note: May be taken 4 times

Methods and techniques of manufacturing production are learned through lecture and demonstration.  Skills are acquired as these methods and techniques are applied in extensive lab work in a production mode.  To enable the production of relatively large quantities with varied complexity, this course utilizes the manufacture of quality wooden toys, which are donated to local charities.

 

CFT 145 Advanced Manufacturing Production Techniques (.5,1)

1½ or 3 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 144

Note: May be taken 4 times

Methods and techniques of manufacturing production are learned through lecture and demonstration.  Skills are acquired as these methods and techniques are applied in extensive lab work in a production mode.  To enable the production of relatively

large quantities with varied complexity, this course utilizes the manufacture of quality wooden toys donated to local charities.  Advanced manufacturing students will be team leaders in design, planning and time and material managements.

 

CFT 148 Marquetry, Inlay and Veneering (2,3,4)

1, 1½, or 2 hours lecture- 3, 4½, or 6 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100 and CFT 151

Note: May be taken 2 times

Examines the history of Marquetry.  Students will use the tools necessary to complete a Marquetry project which includes: veneer hammer, hide and other glues, veneer tape, scroll saw, veneer saw and related tools and equipment.  The various

methods of cutting veneers will be examined as well as methods for cutting, assembling and installing inlay.

 

CFT 149 Hand Joinery I       (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 2 times

Exploration of hand tool techniques with application to fine furniture.  Skills will be developed through the construction of sample joints and a simple project.  Topics include: marking and layout tools, cutting tools, use of the workbench and

its accessories, hand saws and their use, Japanese vs.  Western tools, dovetail joinery, mortise and tenon joinery, squaring and sizing with a hand plane, sharpening hand tools and building a simple carcase.

 

CFT 150 Hand Joinery II      (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 149

Note: May be taken 2 times

Comprehensive study of specialized woodworking techniques.  The emphasis of this course will be on the development of hand tool skills.  Learning exercises will be completed making traditional joinery typical of fine furniture.

 

CFT 151 Veneering Technology I       (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 2 times

Introduction to the use of veneers in furniture making.  Topics include: understanding veneer as a material, cutting and seaming veneer, pressing veneer using traditional and modern methods, creating sunbursts and other multi-piece matches,

using and maintaining various cutting tools and sawing your own veneer.

 

CFT 152 V eneering Technology II     (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 151

Note: May be taken 2 times

Study and practice of advanced veneering techniques which includes working with radius shapes, hand and machine marquetry techniques, hammer veneering, and installation of bandings and stringings.  Students will demonstrate their abilities in the construction of a small piece of furniture.

 

CFT 153 Studio Furniture Design I    (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 2 times

Exploration of historical design concepts and their application to contemporary work.  Development of drawing skills needed to design one of a kind studio furniture.

 

CFT 154 Studio Furniture Design II   (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 153

Note: May be taken 2 times

Implementation of students’ design concepts created in CFT 153.  Exploration of market opportunities and client relationships.

 

CFT 155 Classic American Chair Designs (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Note: May be taken 4 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of

CFT 155, CFT 156

Chair making which emphasizes the use of traditional chair making tools to shape raw wood into chair parts.  Topics include the history of Windsor and Ladder Back chair designs; harvesting raw materials from a tree; proper sharpening of the hand tools; shaping, steam bending, kiln drying and assembling the chair parts; seat weaving; and traditional finishing appropriate to each chair style.

 

CFT 156 Advanced Classic American Chair Designs (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 155

Note: May be taken 4 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of CFT 155, CFT 156

Chair making which emphasizes the use of traditional chair making tools to shape raw wood into chair parts.  Skill development and improved craftsmanship is emphasized while learning to make more complex chairs.  Advanced chair designs include: bow back, continuous arm, writing arm, double and triple settees and fan back Windsor chairs; Appalachian style three-slat side chair, four-slat arm chair, bar stools, youth rocker and six-slat rocking chair.

 

CFT 157 Chair and Seating/Prototype Construction (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 3 times

In depth study of production chair making.  History of chair making and seating.  Design and application of pattern making techniques on student selected projects.

 

CFT 158 Chair and Seating/Production Manufacturing (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 157

Note: May be taken 3 times

Chair and seating construction; production and advanced machine tool techniques as they relate to chair making.  Fine joinery, theory, and advanced techniques.

 

CFT 161 Tables/Prototype Construction (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 3 times

Table design and construction.  Machine tool operations necessary to produce various table leg, trussel, and base designs.

 

CFT 162 Tables/Production Manufacturing (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 161

Note: May be taken 3 times

Development and refinement of table making skills, processes, and procedures.  Construction of extension and drop leaf style tables.  Joinery and hardware unique to table making.

 

CFT 163 Plastic Laminate Fabrication Techniques (.5,1)

1 or 2 hours lecture/laboratory

Note: May be taken 2 times

This course examines the manufacturing process for plastic laminate products, including tools, adhesives, jigs, application and installation techniques.  Lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises will give students the opportunity to develop the proficiency and knowledge to design, build and install plastic laminate products.

 

CFT 164 Cabinet Installation (.5,1)

1 or 2 hours lecture/laboratory

Note: May be taken 2 times

Installation of both face frame and European (32mm) cabinetry.  Topics include: Understanding wall structure, measuring and planning for installation, review of cabinet construction with emphasis on installation, in-depth discussion of the

tools, jigs, and techniques used for installation, installation of lower face frame cabinets, installation of upper European (32mm) cabinets, finished scribing of molding.

 

CFT 165 Cabinetmaking/Face Frame/Construction (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 3 times

Traditional face frame cabinet construction as applied in kitchens and bathrooms with design, layout, and material analysis.  Hands on experience in carcase construction, face frames, partitions, and construction of doors and drawers.

 

CFT 166 Cabinetmaking/Production and Manufacturing (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 165

Note: May be taken 3 times

Designed to give students the knowledge and ability to enter the cabinetmaking business.  Manufacturing and production techniques will be examined along with design, assembly, and installation.  Students will learn to bid on jobs, estimate materials, provide client satisfaction, and produce quality work on a profitable basis.

 

CFT 167 Cabinetmaking/32mm European Construction (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 3 times

European 32mm production methods as used in cabinetmaking.  European design and space utilization; European machinery, hardware, and the latest in European systems.  Influence of the 32mm system on the American cabinetmaking industry.

 

CFT 168 Cabinetmaking/Architectural Millwork (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 3 times

Historical and modern architectural millworking techniques used in frame and panel systems, doors, fireplaces, wall systems, staircases, and built in components.  Hands on experience on student selected projects may include woodcarving, woodturning, construction of doors and windows and the production/installation of moldings.

 

CFT 169 Cabinetmaking/Computer Cabinet Layout (.5,1,2,3)

1, 2, 4, or 6 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 4 times

Selection and application of appropriate software as developed for the cabinet industry.  Development of industrial standard cabinet plans and specifications utilizing personal-size computer and software programs.

 

CFT 170 Workbench Design and Production (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 2 times

Design and construction of the most basic of woodworking tools, a workbench.  Process rough lumber to maximize yield and minimize waste.  Students will be allowed to customize the size of their bench to fit individual requirements within limits.  However, mass-production techniques will not be sacrificed.  In addition, a broad review of woodworking vises and other bench accessories will be conducted so that students will be able to further customize their own bench.

 

CFT 171 Furniture for the Wood Shop (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 4 times

The individual student will be required to design and construct one or more projects from a broad range of furniture-quality accessories for the woodworking shop such as tool totes, tool boxes, chests and cabinets (both stationary and portable), step stools, saw horses or workbench accessories.  Particular attention will be paid to artistic and functional design, utility, material selection and joinery techniques.  Skills in spindle turning, marquetry and inlay, compound angle joinery, coopering, and veneering will be developed and employed depending on the project selected.

 

CFT 172 TurboCAD for Cabinets & Furniture (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Note: May be taken 3 times

Introduction to TurboCAD and to basic CAD concepts and their direct application to the design and drawing of custom cabinets and furniture, as an alternative to “pencil & paper” drawing.  Topics will include: extensive 2D and 3D drawing, modifying, and editing tools; the production of measured, shop drawings as an essential first step in the construction of a project; rendering, as a tool in the visualization of concept design.

 

CFT 173 Bamboo Fly Rod Building (2,3,4)

1, 1½, or 2 hours lecture- 3, 4½, or 6 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 4 times

Instruction in the art of bamboo fly rod building.  A bamboo culm will be split, straightened, heat treated, planed and glued.  Tips, ferrels, cork handle and reel seat are installed.  Wire guides are made and installed.  Other projects include fish landing nets, hexagon rod storage tubes, cork lined wooden fly boxes and portable fly tying cases.

 

CFT 175 J igs and Fixtures (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 4 times

Theory of production tooling, fixtures, and jigs; design and develop practical applications of production tooling, fixtures and jigs as used in current machines within the industry.  Field trips to local industries will allow students to further understand tooling as used in the trades.

 

CFT 176 The Lathe - An Introduction to Woodturning (2,3,4)

1, 1½, or 2 hours lecture- 3, 4½, or 6 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 2 times

Emphasis on Spindle Turning or turning Between Centers.  Students will learn the history of the lathe; the components of the lathe and how to select the best lathe and accessories for their particular turning style.  Discussion of tool selection, proper tool sharpening techniques, what to expect from a basic set of turning tools with emphasis on the skew, the gouge, the parting tool and importantly – the handle.  Design and fabrication of tool handles, including tool making and tool modification.  Additionally, projects will include turning a mallet, tool handles, kitchen utensils, “weed vases” and ornaments.  Introduction to bowl turning and turning other than solid wood such as laminates and acrylics.

 

CFT 180 Wood Bending and Lamination/

Wood Technology (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 4 times

Principles and practical applications of both wood bending and lamination.  Mechanical and chemical means of bending wood studied and developed, specific structure and properties of wood are developed.

 

CFT 185 Machine Tool Set up and Maintenance (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Note: May be taken 4 times

Set up, repair, rebuild, and maintain tools and machines used in the wood-related industries.  Machine tool operations studies and applied.  Consumer information developed to acquaint student with machines and tools within the field.  Planned maintenance schedules developed and applied.

 

CFT 186 Machine Tool/Production Carving (1,2,3,4)

2, 4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 4 times for a maximum of 9 units

Introductory woodcarving course using hand and power machine tools.  Design considerations, carving techniques, production carving, and incorporation of woodcarving into cabinetmaking, furniture construction, and architectural millwork.

 

CFT 187 I ntroduction to Carving (1,2,3,4)

2, 4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Note: May be taken 4 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of

CFT 187, CFT 188, CFT 189

This beginning course in carving introduces students to the tools and techniques used in carving wood.  The course includes specifics of available tools, their proper handling and maintenance, as well as discussions of layout and carving methods as applied to furniture and architectural millwork.

 

CFT 188 I ntermediate Carving (1,2,3,4)

2, 4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 187

Note: May be taken 4 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of

CFT 187, CFT 188, CFT 189

This course examines methods relating to both low and high relief carving, as well as incised lettering.  More complex layout and carving techniques are undertaken.  Concepts such as setting-in and blocking-out are introduced while modeling, introduced in the beginning course, is more fully developed.

 

CFT 189 Advanced Carving (1,2,3,4)

2, 4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Note: May be taken 4 times; maximum of 4 completions in any combination of

CFT 187, CFT 188, CFT 189

Advanced carving is a topical study of specific carving applications as they relate to furniture or architectural millwork.  Topics are largely gathered from period styles and may include ball and claw feet, Newport shells, and Philadelphia rococo, as well as contemporary interpretations, Art Nouveau, and maritime themes.  See Class Schedule for specific period styles/themes to be emphasized.

 

CFT 190 Specialty and Manufactured Hardware (.5,1,2,3)

1, 2, 4, or 6 hours lecture/laboratory

Note: May be taken 4 times

Survey of traditional, contemporary, European, and Oriental market hardware found in the cabinet and furniture industries, including consumer applications.  Exploration and application of various system solutions for given problem(s).  Study and application of hinges, K D fasteners, fastening systems, joint systems, drawer guides, and runners.

 

CFT 195 Finishing Technology/Touch Up and Repair (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100

Finishes as used in the wood-related fields.  Study and use of penetrating, surface, epoxy, catalytic, and resin surface finishes.  Preparation to include staining, filling, and glazing.  Chemistry of lacquers, urethanes, oils, and enamels.  Instruction and practice in the touch-up of existing finishes through use of French polishing, burn-in sticks, and dry aniline staining.  Repair of fine furniture as necessary prior to finishing.

 

CFT 196 Special Problems in Cabinet and

Furniture Technology (1,2,3,4,5,6)

3, 6, 9, 12, 15, or 18 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 100 or 105

Note: May be taken 4 times

A research course through individual contract concentrating in the area of Cabinet and Furniture Technology.

 

CFT 197 Cabinet and Furniture Technology Topics (.5-4)

Units awarded in topics courses are dependent upon the number of hours required of the student.  Any combination of lecture, laboratory, or lecture/laboratory may be scheduled by the department.  Refer to Class Schedule.

Note: May be taken 4 times

Topics in Cabinet and Furniture Technology.  See class schedule for specific topic covered.  Course title will designate subject covered.

 

CFT 198 Advanced Wood Finishing (2,3,4)

4, 6, or 8 hours lecture/laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 195

Wood finishing history, processes, and application of multiple colors and complex finishes on furniture.  Topics include media, solvents and tools used to apply media, faux finishes, gilding, coloring the finishing materials, turning broken or missing parts, and veneer repair.

 

CFT 295 Directed Study in Woodworking (1,2,3,4,5,6)

48, 96, 144, 192, 240, or 288 hours laboratory

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CFT 105

Note: May be taken 4 times

Independent study in furniture making, cabinet making, shop layout, design, operation, and maintenance for students who have demonstrated advanced skills and/or proficiencies in Cabinet and Furniture Technology subjects and have the initiative to work independently on projects or research outside the context of regularly scheduled classes.  Registration requires prior approval of supervising instructor.

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