I would call a master carpenter someone who can build a house out of wood, cut out the whole place, build and install everything. I agree with you that the term “master carpenter” is used very loosely. Norm Abram used to say that if someone taught others, I'm not sure I would agree with that, that would make me a master carpenter and I know that's not true. In Europe, they have long internships (from 5 to 10 years) in carpentry workshops or specialized areas of carpentry, where they must be awarded the title of master carpenter.
I think someone who has been through one of these types of programs in the United States or elsewhere is the best example of what a master carpenter is. Carpentry requires training that involves both the acquisition of knowledge and physical practice. In formal training, a carpenter begins as an apprentice, then becomes an officer and, with sufficient experience and competence, can eventually achieve the status of master carpenter. Nowadays, pre-apprenticeship training can be obtained through non-union vocational programs, such as workshop classes at high schools and community colleges. After working as a day laborer for a while, a carpenter can study or take an exam as a master carpenter.
In some countries, such as Germany, Iceland and Japan, this is an arduous and expensive process, requiring extensive knowledge (including economic and legal knowledge) and skills to obtain master's certification; these countries generally require teacher status from anyone who employs and teaches apprentices in the trade. In others, such as the United States, “master carpenter” can be a term that is loosely used to describe any skilled carpenter. Woodworking refers to the various nuances of cutting and shaping wood when constructing a structure. Finishing carpentry is a fairly common skill used in home improvement work, since it involves molding work, the installation of panels, the construction of roofs and installation of accessories.
Rough carpentry is larger-scale and refers to anything large, such as framing a house or building other larger-scale structures. Many carpenters will choose to specialize in one of these areas, but general or “residential” carpenters will be well versed in all the carpentry jobs that can be done in the home. A cabinetmaker is a person who is fluent in various cabinetmaking techniques and works primarily in the construction of frames and panels in a workshop. As carpentry increasingly uses specialized tools, equipment and machinery, almost all carpenters work in a workshop, where they have access to everything they need to produce small products made of high quality wood.
Carpentry can also be used as a term to collectively define all types of fine carpentry in a building, including stairs, doors, and window frames. To create these wooden masterpieces, carpenters use a variety of manual and automated tools, many of which are also used by carpenters. A master carpenter is essentially a carpenter who is at the top of his career and whose work is of a high standard and quality. It can be said that cabinetmaking is a specialization within carpentry that focuses more on the construction of frames and panels and on the manufacture of the wooden components and accessories necessary for the construction of buildings and houses.
Whereas carpentry involves making ornate wooden objects, trinkets and furniture that are often small enough to be moved by hand and are beautifully designed. Union carpenters in the United States, that is, members of the United Brotherhood of United States Carpenters and Carpenters, must pass a skills test to obtain official status as day laborers, but uncertified professional carpenters may also be known as officers because of their skill level, years of experience, or simply because they remain in the trade and not because they have received any certification or formal education in carpentry. They are also experts in all types of carpentry installations for cabinets, floors, shelves and other accessories. In most cases, a general carpenter will be all you need to get your carpentry project off the ground, as you'll likely have the previous skills you're looking for.
As a relatively new carpenter, I watch a lot of YouTube looking for techniques, safe ways to work, and a wealth of additional information. Find a carpenter if you need custom furniture, such as an ornate table or lamp, or sculpted wood decor. Carpenters are the professionals to go to if you're looking for a side table, lamp, high-end furniture, or other intricate wooden objects that are personalized and beautifully designed. Carpentry and carpentry are usually terms that are used interchangeably, since they have a lot of overlapping features.
Just as there are many types of carpenters, there are also many types of carpenters who use wood and other types of synthetic wood materials to make a wide variety of products. Training is also provided in groups, such as in the Kim Bøng carpentry village in Vietnam, where apprentices live and work to learn how to work with wood and carpentry.
