This course is the perfect way to learn about and practice the most common joints in fine furniture making and you will come away with a finished foot stool/ low table at the end of our three days together. It is designed for students with no woodwork experience and equally for those looking to improve on their existing knowledge and skills.
My peaceful, rural workshop is situated in the countryside on the Cheshire and Manchester border and is an ideal place to escape from the busy, day to day, modern lifestyle. I will share with you the techniques, gained over my 25 years in the profession, that I use to create accurate joints and a crisp clean finish.
Starting with simple hardwood ‘blanks’, you will be working primarily with hand tools, using traditional techniques to create a cross halving joint, mortice and tenon joints and a butt joint. The course also features dowel joints and the use of decorative wooden plugs.
We will look at the importance of using a handplane correctly to achieve flat surfaces with adjacent square edges, a practice which is the foundation for good quality work. This is combined with how to mark out the joints accurately with precision tools in order to achieve a snug fit. We will also discuss the relevance of grain direction and wood expansion and contraction and how to plan and execute your project with these important factors in mind.
My workshop is equipped with tools and benches for a maximum of 3 students, thus guaranteeing you plenty of 1 to 1 tuition time. The course also dovetails nicely (yes, that was an intentional pun) with my floating shelf course, where students will have already gained experience with the basics of using handplanes and sharpening tools.
I usually run this course over three consecutive days, Friday through to Sunday or a midweek version. I occasionally run it over a Saturday and Sunday with the third day taking place on the following weekend. With the latter course this will usually be the following Saturday but occasionally on a Sunday so please send me a message to check whether it will be a Saturday or Sunday before booking. The current dates available are for weekend only preference (15, 15, 22 Feb), midweek preference (18, 19, 20 February) and mixed booking (Friday 7 March, Sat 8, Sun 9)
The launch price is £465 which includes all materials or if you book for two people, £890.
What's included in the price?
Each student will have use of their own dedicated woodworking bench, and all the necessary tools and materials will be provided. Tea, coffee and biscuits will also be provided, but please bring a packed lunch. During the winter months, bring warm clothes as it takes an hour for the wood burner to take full effect.
Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts.
Your tutor - David Tragen
I am a trained cabinet maker / furniture designer maker and have over 25 years’ experience working with wood. I have worked on projects for businesses and high worth individuals including those from the worlds of Hollywood and Premier League football. I also have TEFL training under by belt from the 90s and therefore come from a background of teaching. I taught woodwork part time for Start in Salford for 4 years and then took up training in my own workshop in 2014.
Designing and making furniture, lighting, wall art and sculpture has been a passion of mine for many years and my hope is that all students leave the workshop with some of the enthusiasm I have for the fields of Art, Craft and Design. www.davidtragen.co.uk
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