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 HOME :-)

A chance for complete beginners to learn basic woodworking skills and practise just using simple, versatile, everyday hand tools in a safe, friendly and fun setting. Numbers are restricted to five/six participants, so there's plenty of individual tuition and everyone can learn at their own pace. I've had brilliant feedback from students who get a great sense of achievement through making something right from scratch. We have a whole day for this course so all participants can make something they can each take home, maybe a bird box, stool or work trestle, depending on what materials we have to hand, 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 - we never have enough cordless drills...

FOR COMPLETE BEGINNERS

Wood is a vital part of so many of the things we use everyday that these are some of the most useful handwork skills you could learn, 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. 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.

THE SUSTAINABLE DIMENSION - AT INVERQUIECH FARM

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. We'll show you a bit of the farm during our lunch break - there's lots to see already :-)

PROGRAMME FOR THE COURSE:

SAFETY FIRST: there's a few hazards to be aware of, I'll point these out as we go along.

RISK ASSESSMENT See page here

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, hardwood and softwood, why they’re used, different strengths and weaknesses, a bit about the structure of wood in general and understanding grain.

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

PRACTICE PROJECTS: all five/six 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.

IAN’S BACKGROUND

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.

REFUNDS up to 7 days before the course, Eventbrite's fee is not refundable

CONTACT IAN: 07450 332 430 ianecowatt@gmail.com