The Goodlife Centre - Practical Workshops in Central London

Full details and registration via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/24-week-woodwork-course/

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This is a content rich class and it will not be easy to catch up or redo a missed day, so please consider this when contemplating joining the course.

Suitable for: This course is suitable for absolute beginners as well as those who have some previous experience. As much of the learning is transferred verbally, a good knowledge of English is required. We do not have minimum academic qualification requirements.

About: If you would like to invest in yourself and learn practical skills for life, but are not interested in the academic study side of certification, this is a long woodwork course designed to take you from complete beginner to competent woodworker over 24 weeks.

Using a mixture of traditional hand tools and some basic power tools, you will develop the confidence to build simple wood projects and take on many DIY and home improvement projects. Maximising your time with practical exercises, you will journey through the wonderful world of wood with an expert wood worker and tutor, who will enthuse and inspire you as you proceed.

During your development, you will be able to adapt each project to suit your needs and as the number of people on the course will be small, you will have plenty of opportunity to personalise your craft skills. We keep our classes small so that a maximum of 8 students will ensure you benefit from close personal attention during your course.

Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hard-wood-treasure-box-15/
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This is a content rich three-day course in a very small class size which includes:

• Supervised use of woodwork machinery. (surface planer thicknesser, panel saw, table router, hand router and bandsaw.)
• Learning how to use jigs and rods.
• Solid wood carcass construction.

From a technical drawing and a length of timber to the final sanding of the completed box, expert furniture maker and tutor, Marcin Waszak will guide each learner through all the steps needed to create this hardwood treasure box. The box measures 330mm x 304mm x 180mm and can be used to store lots of special things and perhaps become an heirloom!

The beautiful hardwood and veneers used for this project has been sourced and prepared from a sustainable woodyard. The course begins by explaining how to stay safe while using our professional and powerful woodworking machines. Marcin will talk you through the materials and tools you will be using and let you practice before beginning the project. We have created a cutting list so that each person can learn how to process the wood and begin making very quickly.

If you hanker to use some big machines and learn how to use jigs and to work accurately from plans, this is a great course for you.
Steps to making your own Treasure Box:

1. Student introductions, inspirations and knowledge.
2. Introduction to the project.
3. Health and Safety.
4. Understanding the materials and tools we will be using in this course (wood technology, proper usage of the tools, jigs).
5. Practice on how to use the tools and jigs in the workshop.
6. Cutting list.
7. Making.

Marcin says:
‘I will approach the sessions with a solid introduction not only to Health and Safety but to give an understanding of materials and tools. I believe it’s important to understand the nature of different types of wood and how it reacts (i.e. depending on variety, cut or thickness) when handling it, glueing or using different tools. There will be a great focus on how to use tools and machinery in the correct way for best results.

We will be starting from technical drawing explanation and introduction to the material and the design itself. I will love to know people’s backgrounds before we start the session so everyone will feel more comfortable and confident to work as a team.

I will have prepared a cutting list to make things easier and so we can start making (and having fun) as soon as possible.

I would like to make the sessions inclusive and provide a safe space for everyone. I always take people’s abilities into account and endeavour to be there for students that want to share their struggles in order to make the making experience something they can enjoy.’

Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-japanese-joints-5-evenings/
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Intro to Japanese Joints

If you are intrigued by the precision and elegance of Japanese joinery, we hope you will join us for six sessions of learning how to produce Japanese joints.

Using unique and creative ways to avoid using screws, nails, and glue, this art is passed down from master to apprentice. Even with the advent of power tools, the craft is still practised by hand as a sign of respect towards their heritage, culture, and traditions.

Japanese woodworking is all about principle, discipline, and accuracy. The lack of power tools is a testament to the practice put into mastering the craft.

Experienced woodworker Auram Desforges is a Japanese joinery enthusiast. He will guide you through the Japanese tools and techniques to make several wood joints.

You will learn which tools to use, and how to measure and cut with accuracy so that you can attempt any joint design in the future. Expect a calm workshop with lots of concentration.

This course is not project-based but you will take home as many joints as you have crafted.

Auram teaches other classes at the centre: Kumiko coasters, Kumiko lamp, Make a chair