Established 1981 · Southeast Michigan
Michigan
Woodworkers'
Guild
Made by hand, taught by hand, since 1981. We're a Southeast Michigan guild of some 200 woodworkers — cabinetmakers, turners, carvers and first-chisel beginners — who meet every month to learn from one another and build things right. For the experienced and the novice alike.
Who we are
A place to get
better, together.
For more than forty years the Guild has been where southeast Michigan's woodworkers trade know-how — learning, growing and sharing with like-minded individuals. Come for the monthly presentations and learn from your peers.
We were founded in 1981 by a handful of makers who wanted company at the bench. Today we're roughly two hundred strong, active in community service projects that put woodworking to good use, and the door is open to anyone curious about the craft — whether you've been cutting dovetails for decades or you just bought your first chisel last week.
See what a membership includes
What we do
More than a monthly meeting.
Four things happen every time the Guild gets together. None of them require a fancy shop — only the willingness to show your work and ask a question.
-
01
Meet
A monthly presentation followed by the famous Show & Tell, where a member passes a project around the room and talks through every joint, mistake and fix.
-
02
Learn
Seminars, hands-on workshops and one-on-one mentoring — real help sharpening your skills between meetings.
-
03
Build
The Design Center — members co-design jigs and projects and share measured drawings, so the whole Guild can build what one person figured out.
-
04
Give
Community service at the bench. Our long-running Toy Program has built thousands of wooden toys for the Children's Hospital of Michigan.
The Design Center
We figure it out
in the open.
Somebody sketches a camp chair. Somebody else refines the joinery. A third member drafts the plans — and by the next meeting the whole Guild can build it. That habit of open drawings, borrowed jigs and honest critique is the heart of the MWG.
- a Member-drafted, measured project plans
- b Shop jigs & fixtures you can borrow and copy
- c Group builds refined meeting to meeting
- 1981 Year founded
- 200+ Active members
- 45 yrs Sharing the craft
- 10/yr Meetings & programs
On the calendar
Come by the bench.
Meetings run September–November and January–May. June is our field trip; August, the picnic. Dates and speakers are posted in the newsletter.
From the last Jigs and Fixtures Presentation
Made by members.
Membership
Pull up
a bench.
Whether you've been cutting dovetails for decades or you just bought your first chisel, there's a seat for you here. Membership is the shortest path to getting better — surrounded by people who love this as much as you do.
Guests are always welcome to visit a meeting first — no cost, no commitment.
- Monthly meetings & expert presentations
- Mentoring, seminars & hands-on workshops
- Design Center plans & shared jigs
- Member discounts at woodworking stores
- The monthly newsletter & member roster