Beginners Woodwork – Four day course
Four days, usually Friday – Monday
Many beginners to woodwork become frustrated because they lack the three essentials of the craft, really sharp tools, good technique and finally accuracy. This course is designed as an introduction to these essentials. You will learn how to get your planes and chisels exquisitely sharp, some basic woodworking techniques such as planing and sawing square and joint cutting, and in the process find out why precision is so critical. Once these elements are in place you can begin to enjoy the craft instead of struggling with the basics.
Tool sharpening and maintenance weekend.
This course expanded the sharpening element of the beginners four day course into a two day weekend. It dealt with the sharpening of edge tools such as chisels and planes, showng the different sharpening methods and media. It also went into detail on the fettling, adjustment and setting up of a bench plane.
Basic jointing weekend.
This course focused entirely on hand woodwork. We started by planing up rough sawn timber to dimension then went on to make a simple frame in four different woods and with four different joints, one at each corner. The emphasis was on establishing a discipline of care and accuracy in marking out and cutting.
Dovetailing weekend.
This course was an introduction to basic dovetailing. During the course we cut both through and lap dovetails both by hand and also using limited machine assistance. The aim was to show different ways of cutting the joint and also to develop the careful and accurate approach required to create the perfect dovetail.
Router skills
This course was designed to take the fear out of routing! Many people have a router but feel uncomfortable using it because of health and safety concerns or worries that they will spoil the work. On this course students would become familar with the router, making routing a more enjoyable, less stressful activity.
Make your own workbench.
This was a cracking course! Not only did the student leave with a robust bench with front and tail vices and bench dogs they also learnt many woodworking skills in the making. Such as use of domino anjd biscuit jointers, accurate marking out and cutting, cutting through wedged mortice and tenon joints, cutting BIG dovetails and managing a big project.
Improver’s make a book case
Although seemingly mundane this course introduced some important woodworking skills such as:
-Creating a workshop drawing and creating a cutting list from the drawing.
-Jointing and matching quarted veneers.
-Laying veneer.
-Inlaying.
-Lap dovetailing.
-Shaping using router and template.
-Edge jointing.
Chair Making
Most chair making courses involve making a turned chair. My course was unique in teaching a jointed chair and allowing you to work at your own pace.
Chair making is rightly known as the acme of the furniture maker’s craft. Not only must the chair look good from all directions it must also be strong and comfortable. On this course we looked at these issues when making a copy of the famous chair made by Vidar Malmsten in the seventies. Whilst making the chair we learnt many skills with wider applications; forming complex curves, cutting compound angled joints and using a detailed workshop drawing to control a project.
This was an unusual course as it combined teaching sessions with work in your own workshop.
Dovetailing and drawer fitting
This course was designed to take your dovetailing to the next level. It was for those seeking extreme accuracy in both jointing and also drawer fitting. The aim was to make a set of double drawers with a piston fit. The sort where one drawer springs out as the other is pushed in!
Veneering and laminating
Developing the techniques of veneering and laminating enables the woodworker to create strong curved forms and decorative surfaces, thus opening up new design opportunities. On this course we learnt how to joint and lay veneers, including decorative burrs, and also how to create and use curved formers in lamination.
Special tuition
If you can’t find the exact course you want this may be the option for you – a bespoke course, designed to develop particular skills or to complete that special project.
Woodwork afternoon class
Aimed at those with spare time during the day (1.30 – 4.00pm), this project based class caters for all skill levels.
Woodwork evening class
Intended for those who are busy during the day, these 6.30-9.00pm class cater for all skill levels.
