Short Courses

Introduction to Furniture Making  (IFM1)

Join Gray Balmer for this two day course for beginners.  Gray will introduce you to the process of furniture making including:

• Introduction to safety on the standing machines
• Introduction to the use and care of hand tools
• Accurate mark out
• Layout of tools
• Use of saws, hand planes, chisels
• Practice joinery
• Sharpening
• Plans and Drawings
• Preparation for the purchase of materials
• Timber selection

This is a stand alone course where you learn the fundamentals required to start furniture making.  It is not a project based course but will give you a good grounding if you are intending to join a msfw Tutor Group, or if you want to attend any of msfw's project based courses.

No previous experience required. 

Furniture Restoration - Secrets of the Trade (FR)

Ben, our furniture restorer, has 28 years experience of restoring quality furniture for museums and private collections in Australia and England.  He will teach you how to restore your treasured period or contemporary furniture and artefacts.  With his knowledge of furniture history and understanding of furniture restoration, Ben's classes are a fascinating and enjoyable learning experience.

Learn how to remove stains, make repairs using traditional glues or decoratively tool leather.  Includes French polishing, gilding and contemporary decorative faux finishes.

"With the help of Master Restorer Ben Hodgetts, I've brought three family heirlooms back to life and also worked on a number of small projects.  Under Ben's practical guidance, I've learnt how to repair structural damage; revive wooden furniture and apply a range of finishes; re-upholster with leather using traditional webbing methods and repair and replace locks and handles."       Lucy Callaghan

Router Techniques (RT)

This one day workshop is designed for anyone interested in purchasing one of the woodworker's most versatile tools.  If you are thinking of buying a router this course will teach you what to look for before you make your choice.  Topics at this popular hands-on course include choosing a suitable machine, health & safety, using a router table and making jigs and templates.  Please bring a router if you have one.

Plane Tuning (PT)

Learn how to renovate an old plane or correctly tune a new one.  At this one day workshop you will learn how to flatten the sole, sharpen the blade and adjust, fettle and finely tune your plane.  Bring at least one plane to work on...and make it sing!

Wood Finishing (WF)

This intensive two part workshop is designed for woodworkers wishing to develop their understanding of finishing products and techniques.  The course covers surface preparation, product selection and application techniques through demonstration.  With a wealth of experience to call upon, your tutor will explain and compare the suitability of different finishes.  Includes shellacs, oils, varnishes and waxes.

After registration, please contact us to discuss any topics you may like to have included in the course.

Tool Sharpening (SH)

This half-day workshop will help you develop a perfect sharpening technique.  It will cover the sharpening of chisels, planes, scrapers and spokeshaves and includes grinding, honing, setting and polishing.

Bring some of your own tools and be guided by our instructor to achieve that perfect cutting edge.

Hand Cut Dovetails (DOV)

Learn how to make hand cut dovetails for a drawer.  In this 2 day course you will learn to accurately layout, mark and cut the dovetails.

Timber supplied.

Please bring the following tools if you have them or contact us for purchasing details:

Dovetail Saw, Dovetail Marker or Sliding Bevel, Small Square, Marking Knife and a Marking Guage.

Furniture Design (FD)

Join Melbourne Furniture Designer/Maker Andrew Gibbs for this one day workshop designed to help you produce concept and production drawings for your furniture projects. He will teach you drawing techniques to convey your ideas and to help work out any unresolved details and show you how to produce scale working drawings for a
material cutting list.

Having a design in mind is helpful, but not necessary.

Make your own Occasional Table (IFM2)

Join Elliot Gorham for this 5 week (18hr) workshop for beginners. Make you own 'occasional table' combining traditional and contemporary techniques. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of joinery and woodwork through the creation of a simple occasional table' structure.

This project is aimed at promoting and developing a practical understanding of how timber is prepared, joined and finished. Particular emphasis is placed on precision and developing techniques to achieve a high quality end-product using both hand and machine methods. Students are instructed through one-on-one consultation.

This course is ideal for beginner and intermediate woodworkers.

Practice materials, timber and tools supplied for the duration of the workshop.