Skill starters

skill starters – Introduction

Tools and Techniques

These sessions are intended for those who have never done any woodwork before, or it is a (long) while since picking up a plane/saw/chisel/etc.

You can decide how many sessions you’d like to take and the course content can be tailored accordingly.

Subjects that could be covered are:

• Wood:  Hardwood Vs Softwood; Types of cut; Engineered board (MDF/plywood).
• Saws:  Types of saws and their uses; Rip and Cross cuts; How to use a hand saw.
• Planes:  Types of planes and their uses; How to take apart, re-assemble and set up a Bailey plane; How to set up and use various types of planes.
• Chisels:  Types of chisels; Techniques for using chisels.
• Layout and Marking:  Using appropriate pencils; Types of marking knives; Marking parallel and perpendicular to an edge.
• Sharpening:  How to sharpen chisels and planes using diamond and oil stones.
• Preparing wood:  How to make surfaces flat and perpendicular using tools such as planes, winding sticks, straight edge, squares, marking gauge, shooting board.
• Glue-ups and Clamping:  How to do a simple glue-up using clamps.
• Connecting/Joining Wood:  Removable/temporary metal connectors; Screws and Nails:  Pilot holes, clearance holes, countersinks; How not to split wood with nails.
• Finishing:  Sanding and sandpaper grits; Paint Vs Varnish Vs Oil Vs wax.
• Application:  Making a simple three piece 3d puzzle.

skill starters – Beginner

Making a bench hook

Okay, you get a bench hook at the end of this course, but this is not really about a bench hook! 

You may not be surprised that wood bought from local suppliers is nearly always not square and true. It will have been originally cut/milled square, but as humidity changes and the wood dries out, tensions are released, it will ‘move’. Such is the nature of wood.

You will learn how to:

• Take some wood and flatten all the sides ensuring they are all perpendicular to the adjacent side.  This skill is essential if you want to make items with joints that fit together at right angles!
• Use a straight edge and winding sticks.
• How to set up and use a bailey plane.
• Sharpen plane blades.
• Use basic tools such as a marking gauge and a square.

skill starters – Beginner

Basic Joints

You do not need any prior experience to come on this course.  However, you could still benefit if you wanted to refresh skills you have not used for many years.

Some skills you learn will be used on most joints and so the more sessions you take, the more you will develop and build upon those  techniques.

The quality of your joint making will require accuracy and attention to detail.  Gareth will show you different ways and use different hand tools, so that you can work out which way works best for you.

You can decide how many sessions you’d like or how many joints you’d like to learn.  There is a minimum of two sessions to allow for some groundwork to be covered.

There can be between 2 and 7 sessions:

• Halving joint
• Finger/Box joint
• Bridle joint
• Mortice and tenon joint
• Dovetail joint
• Housing joint
• Review & catch-up.  This is an opportunity to complete any joints that weren’t finished in an earlier session, or to briefly cover other topics such as sharpening or finishing wood.

skill starters – Beginner

Joints Example – Frame

As an extension to the Basic Joints course, this is an example of  a simple frame that can be hung from the wall.  You will learn how to apply your skills to making a frame that has right angled corners. This includes gluing up the frame, correcting any ‘gaps’ and sealing with a finish such as oil or wax.

Alternatively, you could make a box with a lid to further improve your skills.

This frame is made with a different joint in each corner: 

1. Dovetail Joint
2. Halving Joint
3. Finger/Box Joint
4. Housing Joint
5. You could include a mitre joint, but it is a relatively weak joint and of limited use other than for a simple or picture frame.

Cost: Agreed while completing the Basic Joints Course

All tools will be provided

Availability: Time and dates on application.

DO I NEED ANY WOODWORKING EXPERIENCE TO GO ON A SKILL STARTER COURSE?

No, you can be a complete novice.  Gareth will show you how to use the more common hand tools safely and properly. 

Of course, if you already have some experience of ‘having a go’, these courses will help with your technique and improve your accuracy and precision. 

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?

All the tools will be provided, there is also a variety of tools so that you can try them and see which ones are better for you. 

The materials are provided, but some may need to be ordered in specifically (there may be an additional charge for this).

I would ask that you wear strong shoes, clothes that you don’t mind if they get dirty or perhaps damaged (if you drop a sharp chisel, it will cut through material) and if you have long hair, something to tie it out of the way.

Otherwise, bring yourself with plenty of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.