BASIC WOODWORK - FIRST LEVEL - WHOLE DAY COURSE

BASIC WOODWORK - FIRST LEVEL - WHOLE DAY COURSE

at INVERQUIECH FARM with IAN WATT

- HAND TOOLS ONLY - FOR COMPLETE BEGINNERS -

- OVER 18'S, WOMEN AND MEN WELCOME -

MAKE SOMETHING TO TAKE AWAY WITH YOU

A chance for complete beginners to learn basic woodworking skills and practise with everyday hand tools in a safe, friendly and fun setting.

This is an extended version of the very popular first level woodworking course I've been developing over the last few years. I've had brilliant feedback from students who get a great sense of achievement through making something from scratch between them. We have a whole day for this course so all four/five participants can make something they can each take home, maybe a birdbox, stool or worktrestle, and go a bit further with finishing and other techniques. All materials are supplied and there's plenty of tools in the workshop - though you're welcome to bring your own tools with you if you'd like to try them out.

These are some of the most useful handwork skills you could learn, wood being such an important part of so many of the things we use everyday. Whether you want to make your own raised beds, make and repair furniture, do some picture framing, put up a shelf or a shed or maybe even make your own eco home one day, these are some of the simple basic skills you will need.

We have set up a woodworking facility at this idyllic location near Alyth. It's well off the beaten track but not far from Perth and Dundee. I'll send detailed directions to everyone joining the course.

It's brilliant to be working with Kate Everett, the farm's owner, to develop this and other courses. We are both passionate about helping people to live more sustainably and with a better connection to the Earth. Kate has started a group based around the farm, Timeshare Permaculture, we'll tell you more about that on the day. There's lots to see at the farm already :-)

Numbers are restricted to four/five participants, so there's plenty of individual tuition and everyone can learn at their own pace.

RISK ASSESSMENT See page here

PLANNED PROGRAMME FOR THE COURSE: may work out a bit differently in practice...

SAWING: using a variety of handsaws to cut safely, squarely and accurately. Importance of sharpness.

MARKING OUT: measuring: feet and meters, why we use both. Marking out, marking square, marking angles, accuracy.

CLAMPS: importance of holding your work steady, how to use the various tools etc for that.

DRILLING: using cordless drills to drill and screw – different kinds of drill bits and fixings. Other kinds of drill.

PLANES, RASPS, FILES: we'll be using some of these so you can see how rounding off edges etc can improve the look of your work dramatically.

WOOD: different kinds of wood in everyday use, in lengths and in sheets, new, reclaimed and green, why they’re used, different strengths and weaknesses, a bit about how wood grows and understanding grain.

FIXING WITH SCREWS: using screws to fix different thicknesses and kinds of wood together.

PRACTICE PROJECTS: all four/five students will be able to make something simple they can take home with them, maybe a bird box, stool or work trestle.

YOUR OWN PROJECTS: please ask for advice on things you would like to make, repair, re-purpose, salvage etc etc yourself.

I’ve done a wide range of woody things in a long and varied working life, from making and repairing guitars and furniture, designing and fitting kitchens to building various houses including a straw-bale build, roundhouses, caravan conversions, the PCF shed made of pallets and the "GazeeBarn", and used a wide range of softwood, hardwood, reclaimed and green wood. I've come to the conclusion that abundant woodland and woodworking skills, along with food growing and gaining a better understanding of natural processes - and working with them - are the backbone of the sustainable future.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Inverqueich Farm, Near Alyth, Near Blairgowrie, United Kingdom