The Goodlife Centre - Practical Workshops in Central London

Bookable via our website ➡️https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/large-hardwood-box-3/
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• 12 Fridays 10-5 pm- dates below
• Suitable for beginners.
• Small class size
• Supervised use of professional woodwork machinery
• Learn how to use jigs and rods
• Finished box size W500 mm x D 295 x H350
• Solid wood carcass construction with birch and walnut plywood details.
• Tools and materials supplied.

Enjoy 12 full days of learning how to make a beautiful, hinged lid box with drawers to hold tools or any precious objects you want to stow.

Expert furniture maker and tutor Marcin Waszak has developed a unique course to be held on 11 full days at The Goodlife Centre.

The course will begin with important Health and Safety know-how. You will learn some wood technology, practice with using the woodwork machinery and how to create ‘Jigs’ and ‘Rods to make woodwork more accurate and faster.

Marcin has designed an elegant box which features many elements of fine furniture. It has a hinged lid and two drawers and is constructed of solid hardwood.
Preparation and process;

• Rough-cut solid timber (carcass)
• Oversize cut birch plywood
• Planer and thicknesser oversize for students to use the machine and finish machining to the final sizes
• Preparing the veneer to be pressed onto MDF panels (student design) or cutting the MDF veneered panel – oversized (top panel)
• Understanding jigs and how to build and use them (jigs for cutting the grooves and hinges)
• Routering grooves for the top panel
• Sanding inside before the glueing process
• Gluing process
• Cutting the lid off (band saw or router)
• Routering the hinge slots
• Rough-cut solid timber (drawers)
• Cutting grooves for the drawers to slide in and out, also, cutting the grooves for the bottom panels
• Designing the tray (separations)
• Finishing (satin Osmo)

Marcin says:
‘I will approach the sessions with a solid introduction not only to Health and Safety but also to give an understanding of materials and tools. I believe it’s important to understand the nature of different types of wood and how they react (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 with a technical drawing explanation and introduction to the material and the design itself. I would 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 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 who want to share their struggles in order to make the making experience something they can enjoy.’

About Marcin
Marcin Waszak (MA in Product and Furniture design) is a designer, maker and teacher at the accredited Rycotewood Furniture Centre in Oxford. He is a passionate and patient tutor.

Missing a class- 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.

Fridays 10am – 5pm

Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/carpentry-for-beginners-step-up-low-wood-stool-2-saturdays-8/
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Suitable for absolute beginners. Enjoyable for everyone.

‘Step up’ or low wood stool

This new weekend course is another charming project from our a cherished Edwardian instructional woodwork manual, ‘Carpentry for Beginners’. The projects in the book are perfect for learning basic woodwork skills and we have refined the instructions to incorporate a modern craft construction.

This classic ‘child’s stool’ is a handy ‘hop up’ you can use if you have shelves you can’t reach at home and small ones can reach the sink by standing on it. It measures 40cm x 22cm x 26cm high. We use a redwood pine wood that releases a heady and uplifting scent when cut, chiseled and planed.

Even if you have never used any tools, our expert wood worker Geoff Davison will teach you the processes you will need to take home a future heirloom along with a very special sense of satisfaction that comes with crafting by hand.

Over two consecutive Saturdays you will learn how to measure and mark timber accurately, use a chisel and a vintage ‘Granny’s tooth’ hand router to cut out grooves to house the legs into the sides of the stool.

By the time you have finished your useful step up stool, you will have become familiar with many of the basic woodworking hand tools and increased your confidence to go on and do more general woodwork at home.

Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/diy-in-a-day-drills-330/
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Learn the basics at this fast-paced but relaxed one-day workshop.

A perfect starter for all those annoying jobs around the house that you feel you should be able to tackle…if only you knew how. We know it’s frustrating to wait for it to be done and then get charged for it and we understand it can be a bit daunting to head into a wall with a power drill.

Pick up the skills to hang curtains, blinds, and simple shelves on any wall. Learn to drill into wood, brick, tiles, or hollow walls with confidence. We will show you how to judge what is behind the walls before you drill.

An enjoyable ‘ hands-on’ one-day workshop that covers many of the common aspects of basic DIY. If you have just bought your home and have realized it didn’t include a landlord to fix stuff, or just don’t want to rely on someone else, this day is for you. There is plenty of time to practice on several exercises over the day.

The workshop also covers hanging pictures and heavier objects like mirrors, cupboards, and flat-screen TVs. You will learn how to hang a hook, fix a baton, and then a pair of level shelf brackets.

Finish off the day learning how to fit shelves into awkward alcoves – a handy skill you can use to fit work surfaces too. Learn how to select the correct drill bit, wall fixing, and screw to secure things confidently. The day will also include a chance to fill small and medium holes in wood and walls to prepare your surfaces for painting.

Along the way, we show you how to remove old wall fixings and what to do with the ones you can’t. This a fun fast day with plenty of tools to try and lots of advice on which tools to have in a basic toolkit. If you are thinking of upgrading your drill, you can test all of the ones we use and feel more knowledgeable about what you want to buy.

This course is especially suitable if you are not handy or if you are able, but not that confident, about tackling small but important tasks in your home. We will also suggest how to tell if a task is appropriate for DIY or GSI (Get Someone In).

You will take home a set of skills that will last a lifetime.

All tools and materials included. Perfect for beginners.

Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-an-upholstered-headboard-4/
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Would you like to know how to upholster a Headboard? Join us in this one day workshop.

You will make an upholstered sample headboard Dimensions: 60cm x 80cm from start to finish. You will use sustainable foam, wadding and calico to upholster onto the plywood base, and take it home.

You will learn about foam and how to select the correct density and
thickness. By attaching foam , shaping and tensioning with calico

You will learn all the techniques required to make a simple, well tensioned and shaped headboard including how to shape squared and rounded corners

Surface buttons are added for a final flourish.

By the end of the day, you will have gained an understanding of the materials and techniques involved in making a beautiful and comfortable headboard.

We have fabrics here for you to choose from but if you wish to bring your own please do bring approx 80cm x 100cm.

Please note: no leather or rubber backed fabrics. Choose a fabric suitable for upholstery which is usually 137cm wide.

Suitable for absolute beginners. No prior experience is required for this course.