Name: MAKE YOUR OWN WORKTABLE
Start: 2025-03-08T10:00:00+00:00
End: 2025-03-09T17:00:00+00:00
Location: Perth Community Farm

Make this simple, super-versatile workbench to take away and use yourself - all materials supplied
About this Event

OVER 18'S - WOMEN AND MEN WELCOME

NO PREVIOUS WOODWORKING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

SUPER-PATIENT FRIENDLY TUITION FOR ALL

DESIGN CAN BE MADE WITH HAND TOOLS ONLY

This simple work table is incredibly versatile! We have been using the two-trestle-with-work-surface arrangement for years at Perth Community Farm and at our sister project, Inverquiech. It's strong enough for all sorts of art and DIY projects but light enough to pop in the back of the car or take outside easily so you can enjoy working on stuff in your garden.

Great for all but heavier woodworking projects, this set up has also been brilliant as extra space for events, catering, kids' artwork and, on lower trestles, works really well at coffee table height for lunch and coffee breaks on courses and volunteer days at the farm.

SKILLS

AND you'll be learning skills as you go that are the really important first steps for woodworking, plus gaining an insight into design and all sorts of aspects of sustainable living.

MATERIALS - ALL NEW WOOD!

Our farm tables are mostly made from reclaimed wood but we'll be splashing out and getting new materials for these. TOP SIZE is 1220mm x 800mm (shorter than the farm one but a size that will fit in the back of most cars) top material will be 12mm ply, for a good smooth work surface, with 20mm x 70mm bracing all round, making it strong but light for easy handling. Easily repairable in case of damage. Trestles will be a variety of new wood with 18mm plywood tops.

...AND THAT'S NOT ALL WE'LL BE DOING!...

We're also going to make a heavy duty woodwork bench like the two we already have on the farm, to replace the one that's a bit rough. It features the L-shaped leg, another super versatile design feature. You won't be able to take one of these home from the course but you'll see how they're made and have all the skills to make your own at home - (I'll give you plans for both the work table and the work bench).

The combination of the heavy duty bench and the trestle table makes a super versatile arrangement for woodworking, even if you're doing heavier work, eg planing surfaces. Using this set up it's easy to work on full 8' x 4' sheets and full 4.8m lengths of new wood.

We have the whole weekend and I'll be delighted to fit in anything else we can - eg further wood working techniques or a look round the farm.

See you there!

Best wishes, Ian