24 Week Woodwork Course

Course Outline

Skills are taught using specific wood projects which are designed to cover a broad range of challenges to build your ability as you go. During the year we will cover the following topics:

• Familiarity with Health and safety in the workshop.
• Selection and use of hand tools and basic power tools.
• Making cutting lists and working out costs of timber for projects.
• Selection of suitable timber and man made materials.
• Woodworking joints. Learn how to make the classic wood joints and know when to use each one.
• Making and assembly of basic frames.
• Fitting doors to  small cupboards.
• Wood adhesives; their selection and use.
• Sanding and finishing surfaces.
• Practice of protective hand applied finishes.
• Care and sharpening of chisels, planes and saws.

Each made object will begin with learning about selection and cutting of timber, with knowledge of pricing and purchasing.

The following projects are included over the 24 Week Course:

Basic Wood Joints

• The half-lap joint 
• The mitred half lap 
• The tee halving 
• The half dovetail
• Using Marking Knife, tenon saw, chisel, mallet, hand plane.
• Sanding and finishing.

Step-up Stool in Softwood

• Measuring and marking timber accurately,
• Using marking knife, chisel, mallet, tenon saw and, a vintage ‘Granny’s tooth’ hand router to cut out grooves to house the legs into the sides of the stool.
• Planing flat surfaces.  
• Pillar drill
• Sanding and finishing.

An Occasional Low Table in Softwood & Plywood

• Selection of timber to create legs for table.
• Marking out and cutting bare faced shoulder joints in rails and legs using marking knives, mortice gauges, and chisels.
• Gluing up a rectangular frame.  
• Sanding and finishing.

A Set of Steps

• Selection of timber to create steps.
• Marking out and cutting rebates for steps using marking knives, mortice gauges, hand routers and chisels.
• Gluing up steps. Adding top. Fitting rope.
• Sanding and finishing.

A Small Cupboard with Veneer Panel Door

• Constructing a veneer panel using hardwood designs
• Selection of timber and producing cutting list for bespoke sizing of cupboard.  
• How to draw a workshop rod (A full size drawing; It accurately shows the cross sections, lengths, widths and thickness of the finished work).
• Cutting large boards with power tools.  
• Fitting cupboard onto wall or into alcove.

The use of tools, machinery and all basic materials for the projects are included in the cost of the course.

We offer a 5% discount for anything purchased to build your own toolkit from Axminster tools during the course.

Teaching & Learning

As well as recommending how to build a good tool kit, we will teach you how to maintain them by teaching the invaluable skill of honing and sharpening the edges of tools. Even if you have already joined us to make one of the pieces above, we will step up your learning with challenging your accuracy. We look forward to you joining us in April 2021. We’ll put the kettle on and get out the biscuits, and then you can begin.

Learners will have access to our well equipped woodwork workshop on Tuesdays and the majority of the teaching will be by practical experience on your own projects (listed above). There will be set exercises to be completed and tutors will help learners evaluate their own work in private and group tutorials throughout the course. Any additional projects the learner takes on will be encouraged.

Feedback will be given throughout the course. Fundamental knowledge will be explained in interactive lectures in the workshop using practical examples where possible. Different basic topics will be explored and learners are encouraged to develop their own creativity and confidence as they progress.

Tutors will encourage, support and arrange informal visits to local timber yards to facilitate selection and purchase of materials Opportunities to improve drawing skills will occur as we offer technical drawing days throughout the year. We encourage learners to develop a comprehensive and reference-able folder of notes as a valuable and visible aid to learning, as well as an ongoing portfolio of your own projects.

Supplementary Learning

In addition to our the core woodwork course, learners have the opportunity to round-off their knowledge by attending our other woodwork related workshops at a substantial 50% discount. These workshops run regularly, in the evenings  and at weekends, and can be taken at any time during your carpentry course. These companion workshops will improve your skill levels and abilities in upholstery, wood carving and restoration, providing you with a good grounding in all levels of woodwork and furniture restoring.

Fees and Payment Structure

Total cost £2860.00 including VAT @20% This is inclusive of all materials.

Payment is due via the following methods-
1. Payment in full before the beginning of the course. £2860.00

2. Instalments – this method incurs an admin fee of £75.  £985.00 by beginning of first term (13th Apr 2027) The balance (£1950) will be invoiced in 3 parts (£650) which will be due on 13th May, 13th Jun, and 13th Jul. (Total £2935)

Please be aware that by signing up for this course you are committing to the full 24-week course and are responsible for paying all invoices. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Ruth Thomson

Ruth Thomson is an experienced carpenter and enthusiastic teacher. She has headed carpentry departments teaching NVQ levels 1 and 2. Ruth enjoys teaching our basic carpentry as well as bespoke classes for children. She headed the build for our new workshop and wrote an impressive and accurate shopping list for 2 kilometres of wall studding and a ton of plasterboard. When not teaching, Ruth explores the countryside on her motorbike and plays guitar and piano. Not at the same time.

Len Conway

General Information

You will receive a courtesy reminder by email 1-2 days before the workshop/course begins.

Refreshments

Coffee, tea and biscuits are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you or visit a nearby venue to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access or special needs, please contact us confidentially in advance by email info@thegoodlifecentre.co.uk. There is a small step to the entrance, and the toilet is on the ground floor.

All sewing workshops and occasionally lampshade making, tassel making and bookbinding workshops are located on the second floor. There is no lift access.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, The Goodlife Centre reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions

View our Terms and Conditions here.

Tuesday Class: April 13, 20, 27 – May 4,11, 18, |(no class 25 May – half term 31 May – 4th June) June 8, 15, 22, 29 – July 6 ,13 (12 weeks)

September 14, 21, 28, – October 5, 12,19 (half term 25-29 October) – November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30- December 7 (12 weeks)