Below is some info about short courses you can do with visiting international and local wood gurus over the next 6 weeks or so.
Feb 23–27
Five Ways to Form Wood with Michael Fortune
This five day workshop will give you the information and hands-on experience you need to apply the most appropriate bending technique for any application. Steam bending, laminating, vacuum forming, hot pipe bending and kerf bending will all be demonstrated, even when to simply bandsaw curves will be explained. Choosing the right wood species, how to cure and stabilise bent parts and the methods for hand working or safely machining curves will also be covered.
Perth School of Wood 81 Abernethy Rd, Belmont, 6104, tel 08 9277 5558
Feb 14–15
Wooden Surfboard 2 Day Shaping Class
All the assembly work is done for you. You go in and shape your board to your individual requirements, rail shaping and fin placement, and it is ready for glassing two days later. You choose your wood, patterns, and board size from Bywater’s catalogue so you get the wooden board of your dreams! Or enquire about weekly 8 week board building classes.
Bywater Design 182 Crockford Street, Northgate Qld 4013, tel 07 32569000
March 2–4, 9–5pm
Dutch Tool Chest Masterclass with Christopher Schwarz
Made from pine with a milk paint finish these chests are fast to make – most of the joinery is nails, though there are a few dados and dovetails thrown in. Not only that, they take up much less space than an English or American chest. The best part is you’ll be under the guidance of visiting US maker and author Christopher Schwarz.
Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking 14 Cottage St, Blackburn Vic, tel 0413 537 490
March 10–13, 9–5pm
Make a workbench with Phoebe Everill
This four day intensive will give you know-how and confidence in machine usage and is for two people only.
Phoebe Everill’s Furniture Making School Drummond (halfway between Daylesford and Kyneton) Vic, tel 0419 517 500
15 March, 9–5pm
Shaker Bentwood Box with Jon Grant
Learn to bevel, steam and bend Shaker Box bands and fit and tack them to lids and bottoms. It will be possible to make up to three boxes per class. Discussion topics will include re-sawing wood into box bands, making templates, cutting finger patterns, making oval cores for shaping boxes and sources for box materials.
Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking 14 Cottage St, Blackburn Vic, tel 0413 537 490
Or start even sooner with these free Carba-Tec in-store demos on Jan 17, 9–2pm:
Melbourne: Using spokeshaves and handplanes with Phoebe Everill, and boatbuilding techniques with Eric Sandberg and Chris Rebbechi
Sydney: Dean Alexander demonstrates Maori carving
Adelaide: Chris Lau on guitar-making techniques, Doug Collins demonstrates wood sculpture and carving techniques.
Brisbane: Sharpening and using card scrapers with Frank Bisley
Details are here