WOODWORK  2 - more hand skills

Woodworker, Natural Therapist, Gardener, Woodland Manager and Eco Adventurer. Exploring a sustainable way of life since 2006. Running courses and events around Perth, Scotland since 2017

Ian Watt

Learn and ractise more advanced skills - from inlay and fretwork to using greenwood poles and wood finishing

Perth Community Farm

Ian's Practical Workshops

A range of courses and events on the practical nuts and bolts of sustainable living.
Based on Ian's adventures on eco projects in the UK and Portugal and on many years of woodworking and gardening.
Informative and fun :-)

<h4>FOR OVER 18'S, WOMEN AND MEN WELCOME</h4><h4>WHOLE DAY, HAND TOOL CLASS</h4>LEARN MORE SKILLS - SO YOU CAN WORK ON MANY MORE PROJECTS WITH BETTER AND BETTER RESULTSIAN: I've picked up a wide range of hand tool skills over a varied woodworking career, ranging from making and repairing guitars, to designing and fitting kitchens, to yurt making, to all sorts of farm repair and building projects. Here's some of the more advanced tehniques I can show you, let me know which ones interest you and I'll fit in as much as I can - and let you get lots of hands-on practiceJOINTS - cutting mortice and tenon, dovetail etc jointsUSING PLANES AND CHISELS and sharpening themCARVING shaping wood with gouges, surforms, rasps and filesFRETWORK - using the one power tool I use much, the jigsawWOODFINISHING - preparing surfaces with cabinet scrapers and using acrylic and oil/wax finishesGREENWOOD POLES - working with recently-cut hazel, oak and willowPICTURE FRAMINGFITTINGS - hinges and catches etcREPAIRING FURNITURE - if you have a piece of furniture needing attention please ask if it would be suitable to bring in as a demonstration/practice piece

MY HAND TOOL/RESILIENCE/SUSTAINABLE LIVING PHILOSOPHYWe've all got used to cheaply-available energy and the convenience of power tools. I wonder how long we'll be able to rely so heavily on those? Being able to do more by hand is a kind of insurance policy for whatever the future may hold. My philosophy is partly about learning to use wonderfully versatile tools like planes and spokeshaves and partly about design - learning to make what we need from what we have locally: hazel, willow and oak poles, and reclaimed wood. Hand tools are also so much quieter to use than rooms full of expensive howling machinery... and you'll be amazed at what we can make with quite a simple selection of saws, planes and measuring and marking out tools.

It can take a little practice to get used to sharpening and using hand planes, chisels and spokeshaves but it's really worth the bother! On this class you can try out some of my super-sharp planes and see what they can do.

DIRECTIONS TO PERTH COMMUNITY FARMTake the track down from Jeanfield Road between houses number 29 and 27, through the gates that lead to the cemetery - small sign says "Commonwealth War Graves". Then take another track through the first gates on your left, sign to Perth Community Farm. We're usually in the big polytunnel right at the far end of that track. You can park right down towards the tunnel, or there's some space just inside the gates.FOOD AND DRINK Please bring food and drink with you, there's no cooking facilities at the farm but there is a conventional toilet :-)07450 332 430 ianecowatt@gmail.comSee you on the day! Happy woodworking, Ian.