Would is used by speakers when they want to talk about a hypothetical or unreal situation.

Ex: (A mother is trying to stop the child from taking plates out of a cupboard.)
If we were getting ready for dinner, we would need the plates.

Will is used when events are really happening or when the speakers know they must happen.

Ex: We are getting ready for dinner. So, I will get the plates.

(page:41, B)

Will to express speakers attitude to express their volition

If we use will in this way, will can be replaced by present simple forms.

Ex: Im not a political kind of person. I wont even vote. I never have done. Im not a political kind of person. I dont even vote. I never have done.

If will or would have volitional meaning, they are generally negative.

To check if it is volitional or not, you can replace modal verbs with didnt/dont want or refuse(d) to.

Ex: I wouldnt ring him, he was rude last time we spoke.

(I didnt want to/refused to ring him, he was rude last time we spoke.)

Would can be used to express opinion and volition in past.

Ex: I spent the New Year pulling my hair out because the baby wouldnt sleep.

In the past, it can be replace by the past simple tense but it loses the idea of the subject of the clause willing or acting to cause event.

Ex: I was tired for three months after Jonny was born because he didnt sleep much.
(page:42, 2)

Would is used in several fixed espressions to give your opinion about something:
I would say I wouldnt say It wouldnt surprise me if Wouldnt it be a good idea if

If you want to talk about a past event which didnt happen (hypothesising about the past), you use perfect tense:

Ex: The guests wouldnt have left, even if we had asked them.
(We didnt ask them and they didnt left)