Open day at British Hardwoods 28th September.
British Hardwoods will be having an open day on 26th September.
Back to plan A.
In my last blog I announced that Jonathan Greenwood would be taking over my courses when I retire in March. Unfortunately Jonathan has decided not to proceed with this after all. This is quite disappointing as I have seen while he has been shadowing me that he is an excellent teacher who I would have […]
New tutor for Chris Tribe Furniture courses.
Jonathan Greenwood, late of Leeds Arts University, is to take over the running of Chris Tribe Furniture courses when Chris retires in March 2020.
New donation to Kids Club Kampala.
Students on Chris Tribe Furniture courses donate thousands to help the children and woodworkers of Kampala’s slums
Brilliant service from Workshop Heaven
It’s a while since I posted a blog but I am so impressed by the generosity of Matthew Platt at Workshop Heaven that I have decided to break my silence!
Teaching the first course at the British hardwoods School of Woodwork.
I teach the first course at the British Hardwoods School of Woodwork.
The knights of the round tables.
A look at a recent router skills course where students made circular occasional tables using the router to it’s fullest extent.
First batch of woodworking tools sent to Kids Club Kampala
The first batch of tools have been despatched to Kids Club Kampala.
Teaching at British Hardwoods
Next year I will be teaching my basic skills courses at the new teaching workshop at British Hardwoods near Skipton.
Course Bookings Now Support The Kids Club Kampala Charity
I have been interested in development issues for over 40 years. As a professional woodworker I have a special interest in the problems of craft workers in the developing world and the difficulty in accessing good quality tools.
British Hardwoods go back to their roots.
Regular visitors to British Hardwoods will have noticed a new buzz at their depot in Crosshills. The car park is filling with tree trunks and there appears to be a large container parked outside.
Mike’s saw sharpening
Mike has attended a number of my courses, in April he came on the Saw Sharpening course which is taught by the saw maker Shane Skelton of Skelton Saws. Mike recently emailed me with an update on his saw sharpening activities. It just shows what you can do after some of Shanes expert tuition, so […]
Figure And Grain
Understanding grain direction is important as it influences the quality of cut, especially from edge tools (chisels and planes), but it is easy to confuse figure with grain.
Workshop made grinding tool rest.
Often the tool rests on grinders are inadequate for the job, some alternative is required. If most of your grinding is around the standard angle of 25 degrees its a fairly simple job to make a good rigid rest in the workshop.
Waiting for Duffields
At this moment I am sitting here waiting for a delivery of timber from Duffields Timber. I’ve actually been waiting over a week now!
Big tables, small tables and chairs
Last week was a varied and busy week in my workshop. I taught a wide rang of skills from basic planing and sawing through to the zenith of the furniture making craft chair making. There was also some heavy lifting involved.
Duffields to open a new hobby friendly wood shop in Yorkshire
Since the demise of John Boddy’s I have been asked many times where the leisure woodworker can buy timber. Duffields Timber are opening a new retail centre that will cater for this sector.
Woodwork in Malawi
I report back on a recent trip to teach in Malawi, especially about the problems local craftspeople have with acquiring the tools of their trade.
Chair making – the finale.
The final part of the chair making course saga with pictures and feedback from the students.
