Andrew Crawford

weekend courses - woodworking and box making courses

These weekend courses serve as an introduction to some of the techniques I regularly use to produce my boxes. These are for a maximum of four people and offer a medium price option for those who want more than the taster but aren't sure whether they want to go the full way to the one to one option. And everyone goes away with a box at the end of day 2.

woodworking workshops - ground covered

The ground that can be covered in a weekend such as this will necessarily be more limited than with the one to one tuition, but basic processes like conversion of stock, simple joints, veneering panels, gluing up, and cutting off the lid are all covered. Particular attention is paid to the later stages such as perfect inlaying, fitting the hardware, finishing and lining.

Participants make a simple box:

• solid sides
• veneered lid and base
• decorative line inlaid around lid
• approx 10" x 7" x 2 1/2"
• butt hinges
• lined interior
• oiled finish

To save time all the conversion and some of the machining will have already been done, but there are usually choices as follows:

• main wood - from what's already machined up, usually walnut, but sometimes maple or cherry
• veneer for the lid - again usually walnut but can be maple or cherry to match solid
• inlay around lid - usually a choice of two or three
• lining - usually leather

I don't have the facilities to allow everyone [max four] working independently at separate self-contained workstations. But all the processes will be done by all participants, sometimes consecutively and sometimes overlapping while others do other tasks.

So long as I'm reasonably disciplined and don't allow myself to get into lengthy conversations about the myriad ways of approaching certain operations you will get your box completed in the weekend. If there has been any delay I will make sure you have the wherewithall to complete it at home. The oiling process needs to be spread over three days - so you will have to complete that part of it anyway.

Sometime during the two days I try find time to hold a 'clinic' - this is so you can bring any work along that you've done in the past, or are doing currently. Any problems can be dealt with and queries answered.

The cost of the weekend is £235 plus £25 for materials. This makes a total of £260 per person for the two days, maximum four people. Please go to the charges and booking link for full details.

Please email me if you're interested - the dates shown above are subject to at least three people attending.