DeCicco Woodshop - 2023

DeCicco Woodshop

During my time at DeCicco Woodshop, I learned what it takes to bring a project from raw material all the way to a finished piece. Starting with live edge slabs and resawing them into usable boards taught me patience, precision, and the importance of proper milling. I gained hands-on experience with tools like the track saw, bandsaw, jointer/planer combo, and Festool sanders, and developed a much deeper understanding of panel glue-ups, grain orientation, and achieving flat, seamless surfaces. Working through processes like chamfers, dados, dominos, and epoxy glue-ups showed me how critical accuracy is at every stage, especially when small errors compound in large assemblies and affect the final fit and finish.

I also learned a great deal about problem-solving and attention to detail throughout the build. Using CA glue and epoxy to repair imperfections taught me how to work with, rather than against, the natural character of wood. The finishing process, especially applying Rubio Monocoat, emphasized the importance of timing, consistency, and surface preparation in achieving a professional result. In addition, my time on the wood lathe opened up an entirely new area of woodworking, where I developed skills in both spindle and bowl turning and began to understand wood in a more dynamic, hands-on way. Overall, this externship strengthened my technical foundation in fine woodworking and gave me a full-picture understanding of the workflow, while also showing me areas—like design and advanced joinery—that I’m excited to continue developing.