Course Overview

This is the first part of a two-part introductory course, designed to give you a strong foundation in furniture making. Part one can be taken on its own to help you decide whether to continue to part two for further skill development.

Objective

Build a solid understanding of essential furniture-making techniques.

Start by crafting a breadboard from locally sourced English hardwood.

Learn to ensure the wood is “flat, straight, and square” using a hand plane.

These skills are fundamental for both simple and complex furniture projects. Mastering them will prepare you for more advanced techniques.

Course Details

Location: Our workshop is near Farnham, on the Surrey/Hampshire border.

Class Size: Maximum of 6 students for personalized attention.

Duration: Two-day weekend course, 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Cost: £325, including all tools and materials.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for beginners with little to no woodworking experience. It provides a thorough introduction to hand skills and fine furniture-making methods.

What You Will Learn

  • Achieving flat, straight, and square with a hand plane
  • Advanced sharpening of planes and scrapers for challenging timber
  • Building confidence in the use of hand tools
  • Understanding the characteristics of timber and how to work with it
  • Using and maintaining marking tools and hand planes

Course Benefits

  • Gain the knowledge and confidence to start basic furniture-making projects.
  • Learn to effectively use and sharpen hand planes.
  • Take home a breadboard you crafted yourself.

Post-Course Support

  • Receive an email with guidance on the next steps, tool acquisition, and maintenance.
  • Get plans and a materials list for a project tailored to the skills learned during the course.

Additional Information

  • Refreshments (tea and coffee) are provided.
  • Participants should bring their own lunches or buy supplies in Farnham.
  • Nearby accommodation options are available for those traveling from afar.
  • Applicants must be 18 or older at the course start date.

Enroll in the Course

Visit our Gift Vouchers page to purchase gift vouchers. For direct bookings, select a course date from the list and use the calendar widget below to choose your start date. Click ‘Book Now’ to access the online booking form. Payments can be made via debit or credit card using the green ‘Pay’ button (a PayPal account is not required).

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