How do you become a "Master" Cabinetmaker?

J

JPatrickWinstead

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Question for you folks: What does it mean to call yourself a "master" cabinetmaker? I see people called that, and I've always used it casually to mean someone who really knows their stuff, or runs their own shop with employees. But does it have an official meaning?

As far as I can tell, here in Massachusetts, being a "master" plumber or electrician is an official designation that depends on experience and licensure by the state. But I can't find anything about carpenters or cabinetmakers. Is it a holdover from some old tradition?

Just curious. If it's just a marketing thing that sounds good, I might start calling myself "master", because why not, right? But if it actually means something . . .
 
A name bestowed, like master carpenter. To the best of my knowledge it is just a name. I don't know of any tests to qualify or organization that issues the title(s).

Journeyman is an achievable qualification.

For 40 years I held a Master General Automotive Technician Certificate/title. It came after a battery of 8 tests and was granted by the then, NIASE. I took my first tests in 1973. The NIASE has changed to the ASE about 20 years ago they added other tests. When I decided not to rectify a few years ago I held certifications in 15 areas. The last one expired last year.

The NAHB has various certifications, none are master anything.

Tom
 
Anybody i have met that has called themselves a master carpenter or master cabinetmaker has been anything but.

As far as the journeyman tag i have only seen that used in a union and it has no value outside of it.
 
Journeyman is a person who has completed the necessary training and field hours in their field. As kmd said, it's a most commonly a union designation.

Tom

 
Not many companies invest in apprenticeship programs anymore or at least not in Pennsylvania.  Way back in the day, I went through a tool & die maker apprenticeship which was monitored by the state & consisted of 8,000 practical hours of various skills along with classroom training.  In the end the award was "Journey Toolmaker". Their trainers were "masters".

When skilled labor became more transient companies didn't want to invest in those certifications -- as an example the Talon Zipper Company had an excellent apprenticeship program that created hundreds of highly skilled toolmakers which time & again left the company just after being certified to start their own tool shops -- hundreds around NW PA just from Talon alone.  Of course the other cause of demise was the plastic zipper which eliminated the need for an army of toolmakers.  A similar story occurred at the National Cash Register Company.
 
The Closest thing I can think of would be a "lead" certified carpenter.  Although thats nothing really to do with cabinets. 
 
It just means that you've seen it all! ;)

You are never given a title like that,      you earn it!!!
Mastercabman.
 
I think that the term means a lot different in the US versus in Europe.  With the internship programs in Europe I believe that the term has a meaning.  In the US, as far as I know in regards to carpentry and cabinet making it is a self proclamation.  This is parallel to what Tom said.  Same goes with the term "Master Carpenter".  The unions with their formalized training do have "Master" designations in the mechanical trades - but not in cabinetry or carpentry.

Peter

 
I'm with cabman.  Speaking from experience, the cabinet guy (in the field, anyway) is the go-to when there's a problem no one else knows how to fix, or has the B--ls to try...I would never call myself one, but I'm more than happy when a client refers to me as one.

But pretty sure it was a union thing.

Jon
 
Jon Hilgenberg said:
I'm with cabman.  Speaking from experience, the cabinet guy (in the field, anyway) is the go-to when there's a problem no one else knows how to fix, or has the B--ls to try...I would never call myself one, but I'm more than happy when a client refers to me as one.

But pretty sure it was a union thing
Jon
Click to expand...
+1!!!

I think this master thing was used long ago referring to a shop owner but today all you need is a business license.
I have met cabinet shop owner that wasn't too bright.I have seen some really bad jobs that you wonder how they even start a business in cabinet making.
Nothing surprises me anymore.I have to expect the unexpected.Clean up jobs when no one wants to do.Retrofit/fixing cabinets/layout  on the go and try to save some money on material and labor,and most of all    Keep it clean.
After doing that for almost 20 years then maybe you can call yourself "Master"
 
The term Master (insert Craftsman designation), as was already stated, used to refer to a Craftsman that had passed the requirements to obtain a license to operate a business legally in their jurisdiction.

It really depends on where you are now whether or not you are even required to have any proven proficiency to operate legally.

A lot of the regulatory control of those things in many areas is practically assumed by those that lend money for projects and those that insure them.

The mechanical trades, electricians/plumbers/HVAC people, are still generally controlled by licensing in my observation and the term "Master Electrician/Plumber" etc. still refers to the individual that can pass the test(s) and holds the license.

The concept of Journeyman/Apprentice in my life's observations has only been formalized by the Trade Unions.

Tom
 
once in a galaxy far far away (well a time pretty long past) you were apprenticed (something you paid for the privilege of being) trained hard and slaved (almost literally) for your Master until deemed suitably qualified by the guild that you worked under. Then you got to be a journeyman and take your skills on the road with you - (I actually met someone who was doing this a couple of years a go he was in Australia from Germany so it still does happen even if rarely) then at some stage you where deemed experienced enough to set up shop on your own.. If you took on your own apprentice you became a master craftsman..

these facts could all be wrong but that is my understanding of the history of the situation.. the reality often seems to be what has been said above..
 
My wife's uncle is an International Master Chef, and formerly the dean of the Culinary Institute of America.  That designation is conferred by judges from around the world and requires testing and subjective as well as objective evaluation.

I was a Master Aviator in the Army after having completed a number of years of flying, and qualifications including Instructor, Examiner, and Standards Officer.

Additionally, I love deep-sea fishing and I often go out with complete novices to the sport. They always have problems baiting their hooks properly, and having had years of experience fishing, I would help them and teach them the proper methods for putting and tying various baits on their hooks. Therefore, I have achieved the status of Masterb****r! [jawdrop] [big grin]

(I'm currently in Nigeria, so you can't reach me to slap my face!!) [scared]
 
While guilds are not prevalent in the US, there are some.  The American Pistolsmiths Guild is one such.  Membership is largely by invitation, and candidates must provide samples of their workmanship to be judged by the active members of the Guild to be deemed sufficiently skilled to be members.  Not even members of this tiny, highly qualified community use the term "Master". 

 
SittingElf said:
achieved the status of Masterb****r! [jawdrop] [big grin]

(I'm currently in Nigeria, so you can't reach me to slap my face!!) [scared]
Click to expand...

With my last name, it's something I've lived with all my life.

Tom
 
I think the title "Master Cabinetmaker" is gradually being replaced by the title "Master CNC Robot".

 
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