Instructor: Marc Infield
Monday - Friday
July 6 - 10
9am - 12pm
5 sessions
Whether you are an experienced woodworker or just getting going, this workshop is designed to help you get comfortable with the concepts of CNC and how it can fit into your creative process.
How the Workshop Works
Theory & Terminology: We’ll start in an interactive setting to go over the "why" and "how" of these tools. We’ll cover the basic vocabulary and logic needed to get things running safely and accurately.
Practical Samples: Before diving into big projects, we’ll work through a few small exercises—like creating a CNC inlay and basic text carving—to see how the machines handle different tasks.
Project Time: The majority of our time will be spent on your own work. You can design something from scratch or customize a project we have prepped for you:
Cutting Board with Custom Inlay: A great way to practice tight tolerances and fitting different wood species.
Pen Box with a Bas-Relief Lid: An introduction to 3D textures and shallow relief carving.
Geometric Coasters (Two-Sided): A practical look at "flip machining" and keeping things aligned on both sides.
What We’ll Focus On
Whether you want to walk away with a finished project or get a deeper understanding of computer aided design and machining, the focus will be on getting comfortable with CNC workflows:
Understanding Toolpaths: Getting a better handle on how to turn an idea into a digital file the machine can follow.
Work Holding: Figuring out the most logical ways to keep your wood still while it's being machined.
Practical Problem Solving: Learning how to adjust for the small variations that always happen when working with natural material.
Machine Limits: Knowing what these tools can (and can’t) do so you can design more effectively in the future.
The Tools We’ll Use
Throughout the week, we will focus on a couple of tools:
The Shaper Origin: A portable CNC machine reminiscent of a traditional hand-held router.
The Onefinity CNC: A stationary gantry machine. We will use this to explore automated workflows, repeatable accuracy, and more complex 3D carving.
Add a donation for an individual membership, family membership, or pay it forward to contribute to our scholarship program.
Marc Infield was introduced to woodworking in the 1970s while his parents were building their home in Truro. His work bridges traditional handwork and digital fabrication, ranging from functional objects to production guitar amplifier cabinets for RC Davis Amps. With a background in digital media and a deep admiration for mid-century design and production, Marc focuses on work in which materials, processes, and forms come together. He studied digital media in the early days of personal computing, began his career as a designer and art director in the
outdoor industry, and later founded the design consultancy Infield Digital in San Francisco. He now splits his time between San Francisco and Wellfleet.