All Courses
One Day Woodworking Skills
Our one day courses are designed to strike at the heart of what traditional carpentry, joinery and furniture making really is.
Each course is designed a little differently we will be covering what is needed to set you on the path to go and make tables, doors, benches and framework etc.
Beginners find these courses an absolute godsend as it sets them off on the right track and stops rookie mistakes from the get-go.
Intermediates can still get a lot from these courses. Firstly, a lot of competent woodworkers use and get by with power tools so much these days, many amateurs like to come in and ‘reset’ themselves with a good healthy dose of hand tool woodworking! And secondly, there are so many ways to achieve the same outcome, 90% of them are generally correct in one way or another.
I am a great believer in trying different techniques in order to get the woodworker in question over the line with the best result for them at that time. Be it different technique, different tools, body position, order of operations – you name it, we’ll get you there.
Are you an expert, or Cabinet Maker to Her Majesty? Ahh just come in anyway why don’t you? We’re all learning every day and it would be a blast to watch you in action.
Things we are likely to cover in these courses will include:
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Accurate measuring and marking out.
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The correct and proper way to use a chisel – and what we use them for.
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How to set up and use a hand plane – and what all the different ones are for.
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The making of traditional joints, such as lap joints, mortice and tenons, dovetails and so on.
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Learning how to position your body so each tool is used efficiently.
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You will learn how to saw to a straight line (tricky!).
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You will learn all about what each and every different saw does and when it can be used.
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Different sharpening techniques and how different blades are approached when it comes to sharpening time.
Plus a whole host of other good stuff to boot.
Any questions or queries give us a call as we would love to hear from you.
Woodworking Projects
Woodworking projects come in two forms and are designed to give you the benefit of achieving something you want whilst also learning on the job.
First up are the woodwork projects we’ve put up:
* The Japanese Toolbox #1
* The Japanese Toolbox #2
* The Live Edge Boot Bench
These are designed to give you as much bang for your buck as possible – in terms of time on the tools/machines and the overall appreciation of the making process – whilst also giving you a useful product at the end of it, that you will be very proud of I’m sure.
These projects do change, disappear and reappear from time to time so keep your eyes keenly peeled.
I’m also a big fan of hearing what you have to say, so if there is something out there you’d love to see as one of the Woodworking Projects then drop me a line. And you never know, we could bring it to fruition and make you famous!
Second up are the bespoke Woodoworking Projects. These are really popular and are a great way of you getting something done for you personally whilst learning as we go. We’ve had people come in and make allsorts, solid oak dining tables, Welsh dressers, storage units, coffee tables, shoe racks, vanity units, you name it and folks want to come and make it.
Each case is worked out individually and on it’s own merit, and it’s much more financially beneficial if you can come in when others are in the shop too, and people seem to get more from the experience that way anyhow. So there is no fixed price for this and it all starts with a phone call.
Below are just a few exmples of how it may go down:
* ‘Hi, I want to come in and make X with you guys, I work, have kids but really want to get involved in the making of X from start to finish.
No problem, we’ll fix up a price, fix up a plan of attack with how long it’ll take and when we can get you in.
Don’t stress if life gets in the way, we’ll sort it.
* Hi, I’ve designed X for my daughter and would really like to make it myself and I’m not sure where to start.
Okey dokey, no problem. Let’s have a chat about your experience, when you can come in, how much one-on-one versus time unsupervised you’ll need and we’ll work out a price and time plan to get your daughter sorted with the gift of a lifetime.
* Hey Rich, listen chap, I’m minted and want the shop and one-on-one supervision for as long as it takes to get my project sorted all to myself. That ok?
Bless you indeed brother/sister, this week my kids will eat and my my blood pressure will plummet.
If you want to come in and make it, we’ll make it happen. Just pick up the phone and get the ball rolling. . . . . . . . NOW!
Corporate Woodworking
With Corporate Woodworking we are all about ‘co-creation’. What’s that wee strapline all about, I hear you ask?
Well, I’ll tell you; each corporate group that comes in, come in for different reasons and as a result we ‘co-create’ with HR, L&D or whoever might be running things your side.
Here’s how some of the more popular scenarios play out:
* My team needs a fun day/X number of days, out doing something that promotes mental health, puts everyone on an equal footing, is unique and will be fun. Can you put something together for us?
Absolutely we can. I’ll need a quick chat with you to get the necessary details and I’ll put together a few options for you and we’ll go from there.
* I’ve got a small team that needs to get out of the office environment and work together on a project. I need them to be pushed and tested both as individuals and as a group, would you run anything like that?
Indeed we do. Once we’ve had a chat and firmly set out your expectations I’ll go away, talk with my team and set about creating a course that ticks your boxes as accurately as possible. Also feel free to bring in anyone else in an (Kim, I’m trying to overseer, supervisor, guy/girl who watches and takes notes capacity).
* I want to go a little left-field and push my team not in the boardroom or on a ‘lego day’, I want them completely out of their comfort zones and I would like them assessed the entire time they are with you, is this something we could put together?
It is, although we need to get our collective ducks in a row. First off I and any team members I work with are not trained in anything other than creating woodworking courses to whatever spec you desire – you want them to come in and have the best time then we excel at that, on the other hand, if you want them to struggle and be stretched then we can make it as tricky and underhand as you like. Either way, we make it bespoke to you.
Where we are not so qualified is the murky world of Coaching, Psychometrics and any personnel assessments on that score.
With this you have two options:
1. Bring in your own guys to watch assess etc. We’re more than happy with that.
2. we work closely with Copperbottom & Storm McQueen Coaching who would be more than happy to talk with you.
Either way, if taking advantage of all the things woodworking brings, such as mental health benefits, the chance to accomplish something with a physical presence after your day’s labour for once, to test yourselves in an alien environment to yours, or simply to come and have a great time in the shop making stuff, we can sort it all for you.
A maximum of eight people per day at present (excluding any assessors, etc.)
Each course is priced on its own merit, so please get in touch when you’re ready.
Beginners Half-day
Never picked up a chisel? Not sure one end of a saw goes where? Perfect.
This half-day workshop has been designed specifically for people with little or no woodworking experience. No jargon, no pressure and no expectation that you'll know anything before you arrive.
Over the course of the morning you'll learn the fundamentals of woodworking in a relaxed, friendly environment while building your own contemporary solid timber display shelf to take home.
You'll be introduced to a range of professional woodworking machinery and hand tools, learn essential workshop skills and gain the confidence to tackle future projects of your own.
Everything is provided, including materials, tuition, tea and coffee. All you need to bring is your enthusiasm.
✔ Designed specifically for complete beginners
✔ Learn safely in a professional workshop
✔ Small groups with plenty of individual guidance
✔ Take home a beautiful finished project
✔ Discover whether woodworking is the hobby you've been looking for
Introductory Offer £99
(Rising to £120 once the launch offer ends.)
This is the first in a series of beginner-friendly half-day woodworking workshops, each designed to teach new skills while creating something you'll be proud to take home.