About us

Woodwork Course one (Tools and things)
These are self interest woodwork courses where my aim is to give you the confidence and the knowledge to use basic hand tools and some of the more common power tools, to show you how to look after your tools, keeping them sharp and in a good usable state. We will discuss what to look for when you go shopping for tools, the safe use of hand held power tools and again, how to look after them.

A basic tool kit and an apron will be provided for your use while you are with me and the course fee includes ear defenders that will be yours to keep at the end of the course.

You will be able to pick from a list of projects before you arrive that I believe you can complete in 5 days or less so that you will go home with one of them and you can proudly say “I made that". (Don't worry if you finish early there will be other things to make and learn about.)

I cover the teaching of how to handle tools by getting you started on your project and, as you need to use a new piece of equipment, I show you how. This means that the instruction is fresh in your mind and you do the task there and then.

There will only be a maximum of 4 at a time, this will mean that I will be available when you need help and advice.

The courses start at 9 o'clock on Monday morning. We will normally stop for tea at 10 o'clock ( tea and coffee will be available whenever you want it but I like tea at 10) but that will not stop me talking as this is a good time to cover general information on woodworking and for you to ask questions of a more general nature, The same at lunch time and afternoon break. There is a van that comes at lunch time where you can buy sandwiches, fruit and pies etc. We will finish the day at 5 o'clock. The rest of the week we will follow the same sort of timings although I am usually in the workshop by 8.30am and you will be able to get to your bench from then on. We will finish the week on Friday at 4 o'clock

These courses are intended to be relaxed, happy and informal where you go at your own speed, there is no pressure or exam at the end, but I hope that you will complete your course with a sense of achievement and the desire and the skill to make more things from wood.

Although the workshop has many facets to it, on course weeks you get the undivided attention of both Mark and I to make sure that we are there to help and advise when you need it.

For the course dates and costs click here.

Woodwork Course 2 (Wood and things)