classes and workshops

These woodworking courses and workshops are primarily aimed at beginners or those with some basic existing skills.

The classes focus on developing your essential hand tool skills and how to get the best from your workspace.

Teaching is a combination of demonstrations and practical exercises. You will have the opportunity to spend time at your bench putting this into practice using a beautiful selection of hand tools.

At the heart of the courses is the belief that you don’t need a workshop full of machines and power tools to make worthwhile wooden items and beautiful furniture.

If you have struggled in the past with blunt chisels or hand planes you may well be surprised at what you can achieve with sharp well set up tools.

Whether you plan to set up your own workshop or you just want to join a group of like minded makers, these workshops and classes will give you a solid base to build on.

Gift cards to redeem against classes can be bought in the shop.

Notes

  • I can only admit adults over the age of 18 to these classes.

  • Contact me with any questions regarding group bookings or alternate dates. I often have a waiting list with people who can only do certain days or times.

  • All materials, tools and consumables are provided and included in the course fee.

  • New courses and workshops are being developed all the time so keep an eye open for announcements.

Booking Terms and Conditions

  • To secure a place full payment of the course fee is due at point of booking.

  • I offer a 14 day cancellation period with full refund from the point of booking.

  • Within 30 days of the course start date all course fees become non refundable.

 January 2024

March 2024

New Workshops From June 2024

I’m now offering much more flexible classes. These are primarily 1 to 1 workshops booked for a minimum of 3 hours at a time. This means if you want to do the stool making class you can book the first session, price includes timber, then come back later at times that suit you. The plane and chisel sharpening workshop is a one time 3 hour class.

Group sessions are possible to a maximum of 4 people at a time.

Bespoke workshops are also a possibility if there is something in particular you would like to concentrate on relating to hand tools or furniture design and construction.

I’m working on a better system for booking the sessions but for now check the calendar at the bottom of the page for availability first then contact me to book.

 
Featured
Hand Plane and Chisel Sharpening and Set Up
Hand Plane and Chisel Sharpening and Set Up
£50.00

Planes and chisels don’t come sharpened from the factory. Vintage tools especially will need some work to get them performing properly. This workshop features a mixture of demonstrations and hands on practical advice. The emphasis is on giving you a solid foundation you can take away to build a cost effective sharpening set up.

Get your tools razor sharp and ready to work. We will cover sharpening on diamond plates, water stones and abrasive paper on a glass plate know as ‘scary sharpening’. How to set up a hand plane. How to treat the backs of chisels.

Feel free to bring your own tools.

Featured
Make a 3 Legged Stool. First session including timber.
Make a 3 Legged Stool. First session including timber.
£105.00

This course takes you through the process of making a three legged stool utilising traditional wedged through tenons to join the legs to the seat. We will be using only hand tools for the build. This course is specifically designed for complete beginners who have little to no prior experience in woodworking but is challenging enough for those with some existing skills. You will be guided through every step, ensuring that you feel comfortable and confident with your newfound skills. The course includes:

  1. choosing the timber and what to look for

  2. cutting the seat and legs from the board using a ripsaw and crosscut saw

  3. setting up the hand plane and dimensioning the components

  4. marking out leg positions and setting the angles

  5. cutting the mortice and tenon joints for the legs

  6. gluing up the stool

  7. final shaping

  8. applying a finish

The 3 legged stool will always sit without rocking no matter how uneven your floor may be. A traditional design which can be made with a contemporary twist. This project is a great hand tool build allowing plenty of scope to practice all the essential skills. Sawing, planing, drilling, shaping are all covered and act as a solid basis for your furniture making journey.

This course requires a deposit for the initial session and materials. After booking the first session you can arrange further sessions to suit you but expect to spend around 15 hours to complete the stool.

Featured
Woodworking Taster Class.
Woodworking Taster Class.
£96.00

Beginners. 5 hours total. £96.

Make a serving board. This class is an introduction to developing hand tool skills. We cover how to use a hand plane and a hand saw correctly. Talk about wood grain and how it affects the process of making. Then using a selection of carving and shaping tools we get to the final shape before applying a food safe finish to the board. At the end of the day you will have made a beautiful serving board ready to use.

All materials are included in the price.