BASIC WOODWORK - WHOLE DAY CLASS

For complete beginners and improvers - learn to use simple, versatile hand tools for home and garden projects

BASIC WOODWORK - WHOLE DAY CLASS

at Inverquiech Farm with IAN WATT

- HAND TOOLS ONLY - FOR COMPLETE BEGINNERS AND IMPROVERS

- OVER 18'S, WOMEN AND MEN WELCOME -

MAKE SOMETHING TO TAKE HOME

A chance for complete beginners and those with some experience to learn and practise basic woodworking skills, using simple, versatile, everyday hand tools in a safe, friendly and fun setting.

Numbers are restricted to six participants, so there's plenty of individual, super-patient 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 take home. My favourite project for beginners is a work trestle, it's great practice and a really useful thing to have for anyone's woodworking adventures. There's other possibilities like stools, bird boxes and hanging shelves - let me know in advance if there's anything you particularly want to learn about and I'll fit it in if possible.

All materials are supplied and there's lots of tools - 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...

INVERQUIECH FARM

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. Inverquiech Farm is a brilliant venue for this class as we're actively exploring what a sustainable way of life might like like there and you can see how we've used the basic skills you'll be learning to make many of the structures there.

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 students will be able to make something simple they can take home with them, maybe a stool, work trestle or bird box.

YOUR OWN PROJECTS: please ask for advice on things you would like to make, repair, re-purpose, salvage etc etc yourself.

We generally have a look around the farm at some point through the day - there's lots to see - and usually have a lunch break in Kate's yurt in its magical location near where the River Isla and the Alyth Burn meet.

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