Learn to make your own keepsake box, as featured on More4’s Real Craft Series.
This type of project was originally designed to test the aptitude and skill-level of potential apprentices and employees and the tradition continues to this day - I made a keepsake box when I began my training.
This intensive project-based course brings together the techniques needed to plane a piece of wood flat, square and straight, as well as joint making and spoke shaving.
To create your box you will use a wide range of the techniques and processes that are essential to fine furniture making. For example, wood selection, material planning and preparation, creating dovetail joints, fielded panelling work, plus preparation of wood finishes and oiling.Course content:
At the end of the course you will have gained the knowledge, experience and confidence to select wood, plan and prepare materials, mark and cut dovetail joints and to complete the wood finishing, including oiling.
You will also take home your own beautiful hand-made box created from native hardwoods.
To ensure individual attention, there are never more than six students taught by one of our experienced tutors.
All tools and materials are provided.
Course duration: 5 days
Course fee: £695 (includes materials).
If you need advice on whether this course is right for you please get in touch by emailing me at info@amfinefurniture.co.uk or calling 078 11 262360.
Courses run from Monday 9am to Friday 5pm. We provide tea, fresh coffee and refreshments during the course. Lunch is not provided, I recommend you bring a packed lunch, however we are only a few minutes by car from the Farnham town centre.
Accommodation is not included, but there are many excellent hotels and B&BS in the area. Click this link to see a selection.
Please note that we are unable to accept applications from anyone under the age of 18 at the start of their course.
To purchase one of our gift vouchers, just visit our Gift Vouchers page.
To register your interest for future dates, please contact us
Have a question you want to ask about this course? Maybe you have already been on this course and would like to comment on your experience? Use the Disqus comment system below to let us know!
In this introduction to laminating and veneering we cover the techniques, materials, equipment and skills involved in making a curved laminated panel covered in a finished decorative veneer.
This two day laminating and veneering course is ideal for beginners and those who would like to expand their woodworking knowledge and widen their furniture making capabilities, opening up a larger choice of decorative and exotic woods not currently available through solid wood furniture making.
To ensure individual attention, there are never more than six students taught by one of our experienced tutors.
You do not need to buy any tools or equipment as all hand tools and materials are provided.
By the end of the course you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to achieve curved and organic designs that can be incorporated into your bespoke furniture making.
The main course topics covered are:
Course Duration: 2 days (weekend)
Course fee: £325
If you need advice on whether this veneering course is right for you please get in touch by emailing us at info@amfinefurniture.co.uk or calling 07811 262360.
Courses run from 9am to 5pm. We provide tea, fresh coffee and refreshments during the course. Lunch is not provided, I recommend you bring a packed lunch, however we are only a few minutes by car from the Farnham town centre.
Accommodation is not included, but there are many excellent hotels and B&BS in the area. Click this link to see a selection offering special rates.
Please note that we are unable to accept applications from anyone under the age of 18 at the start of their course.
If you would like to be notified when new course dates are available, you can do so via our Newsletter here.
To purchase one of our gift vouchers, just visit our Gift Vouchers page.
To book a course, choose a course from the above list and enter the start date into the calendar widget below. Then, click on the ‘Book Now’ button which will bring you to the online booking form. For debit and credit card payments, please follow the green ‘Pay’ button on the payment portal. Please note that you will not need a PayPal account to complete the booking.
Have a question you want to ask about this course? Maybe you have already been on this course and would like to comment on your experience? Use the Disqus comment system below to let us know!
The workbench is often overlooked as a tool in the workshop. This 'Make a Workbench' course guides you through ten days to make your own Moroubo Workbench, giving you an invaluable piece of equipment which will take pride of place in your workspace.
The Moroubo Workbench has been designed specifically for the handmade woodworker in mind. It is a portable yet very sturdy, stable and solid workbench. It consists of just seven main components. The workbench can be easily dismantled and fitted into a car, making the workbench ideal for any woodworkers and furniture makers who need to transport their bench (e.g. to demonstration events). For more on the specifics of the design, please visit my Moroubo Workbench blogpost.
This 10 day course is ideal for those who would like to take their furniture making hobby or career to the next level.
While making your Moroubo Workbench you will cover areas such as:
All material for the workbench (including the vice) are provided. During the course, you will gain the knowledge and skills required to complete a large project such as the Moroubo Workbench and will take home your own beautiful handmade piece of fine furniture, which will give you many years of faithful service.
Materials: usually beech, brown oak, ash
Course Duration: 10 days
Course fee: from £2,500 (please see further details below)
There are two Bench Options:The 1550 Bench with an overall size of 150cm x 620cm x 97cm. Height decided by student. £2,500.
The 1850 Bench with an overall size of 180cm x 620cm x 97cm. Height decided by student. £2,800.
The above two Bench Options come with:
There are additional customisation Options:
If you need advice on whether this course is right for you please get in touch by emailing me at info@amfinefurniture.co.uk or calling 07811 262360.
This workbench making course runs from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday over two weeks. We provide tea, fresh coffee and refreshments during the course. Lunch is not provided, I recommend you bring a packed lunch, however we are only a few minutes by car from the Farnham town centre.
Accommodation is not included, but there are many excellent hotels and B&BS in the area. Click this link to see a selection offering special rates.
To register your interest for future dates, please contact us
To purchase one of our gift vouchers, just visit our Gift Vouchers page.
Have a question you want to ask about this course? Maybe you have already been on this course and would like to comment on your experience? Use the Disqus comment system below to let us know!
Project-based courses are aimed at those who want to immerse themselves in the art of handmade furniture. There are a range of projects to suit varying skills levels. These courses work either on a stand-alone basis or as a progressive series, building up your experience step by step.
In this, the first of the project series, you will make a large table serving platter. This is an ideal starting point if you have little or no wood working experience.
The skills and knowledge you will acquire as you make this beautifully designed centrepiece are the foundations of the woodworker’s journey in pursuit of excellence in making. The processes that go into making your platter are those most used in furniture making - they are the ones you will draw on every time you turn your hand to woodworking. It is the ability to perform each process perfectly that will enable you to become a truly outstanding craftsperson.
The course is run in our workshop on the Surrey / Hampshire border, just outside the Georgian town of Farnham. To ensure individual attention, there are never more than six students taught by one of our experienced tutors.
The course covers:
At the end of this five-day course you will have gained a strong foundation in furniture making skills. In addition, you will have the experience and confidence to plan and make your own projects and use and maintain hand tools. Finally, you will take home your own hand-crafted serving platter - a beautiful centrepiece for your table, made from locally sourced English hardwood.
Following the course you will receive an email with a range of information to help you take your next steps. For example, advice about buying and maintaining tools and details of suggested suppliers. We will also include plans and a materials list for a project using the skills you have learned during your course. This will help you put your new knowledge into practice.
If you haven’t trained with me before and would like some guidance on whether this course is right for you, please get in touch by emailing me at info@amfinefurniture.co.uk or calling 07811262360.
Course duration: 5 days.
Courses run from Monday 9.00am to Friday 5.00pm. All tools and materials are provided.
Course fee: £695 (materials included).
We provide tea and coffee throughout the course but you will need to arrange your own lunch. I recommend that you bring a packed lunch each day. However we are only a few minutes by car from Farnham town centre if you need anything.
If you want accommodation, there are many excellent hotels and B&Bs in the area. Click this link to see a selection.
Please note that we are unable to accept applications from anyone under the age of 18 at the start of their course.
To purchase one of our gift vouchers, just visit our Gift Vouchers page.
To book a course, choose a course from the above list and enter the start date into the calendar widget below. Then, click on the ‘Book Now’ button which will bring you to the online booking form. For debit and credit card payments, please follow the green ‘Pay’ button on the payment portal. Please note that you will not need a PayPal account to complete the booking.
Have a question you want to ask about this course? Maybe you have already been on this course and would like to comment on your experience? Use the Disqus comment system below to let us know!
In this course you will learn and practice traditional dovetailing techniques and the skills needed to layout, mark and cut dovetails by hand. This course is designed to teach you how professional cabinet makers make traditional hand cut dovetails without using magnetic saw guides or other gadgets.
It is ideal for those with some woodworking experience who want to widen their furniture making capabilities by learning the secrets of this gold-standard woodworking joint. You will take home your own dovetailed pieces, plus a kit of prepared components made from locally sourced timber, to help you practice dovetailing at home.
This four-day course runs over two consecutive weekends, or one extended weekend. The course is run in our workshop on the Surrey / Hampshire border, just outside the Georgian town of Farnham. To ensure individual attention, there are never more than six students taught by one of our experienced tutors.
The ability to create a perfect, hand cut, dovetail joint is the pinnacle of a woodworker’s joinery skills.
Because of their exceptional mechanical strength, dovetail joints are used throughout furniture making - in drawers, cabinet carcasses and boxes. The strength of the joint comes from the trapezoidal shape of the tails, the pins in the joint and the increased gluing area gained from the shape.
The dovetail joint has a long and impressive history. It can be found on ancient Egyptian furniture in the tomb of Tutankhamun, as well as boxes (example shown) discovered aboard the Swedish warship, the Vasa, which sank in 1628.
The course covers:
At the end of this course you will have gained the knowledge and skills to plan, set out and cut dovetails by hand in the traditional way. You will also have developed the confidence to continue practicing dovetailing for your future projects and know how to use hand tools safely.
Following the course you will receive an email with a range of information to help you take your next steps. For example, advice about buying and maintaining tools and details of suggested suppliers. We will also include plans and a materials list for a project using the skills you have learned during your course. This will help you put your new knowledge into practice.
If you haven’t trained with us before and would like some guidance on whether this course is right for you, please get in touch by emailing me at info@amfinefurniture.co.uk or calling 07811262360.
The Dovetailing course runs over four days, either over two weekends, or a single block of four days. A range of dates are available throughout the year. Please see our Course Booking page for availability.
Courses run from 9.00am to 5.00pm. All tools and materials are provided.
Course fee: £595 (materials included).
We provide tea and coffee throughout the course, but you will need to arrange your own lunch. I recommend that you bring a packed lunch each day. However, we are only a few minutes by car from Farnham town centre if you need anything.
If you want accommodation, there are many excellent hotels and B&Bs in the area. Click this link to see a selection.
Please note that we are unable to accept applications from anyone under the age of 18 at the start of their course.
If you would like to be notified when new course dates are available, you can do so via our Newsletter here.
To purchase one of our gift vouchers, just visit our Gift Vouchers page.
To book a course, choose a course from the above list and enter the start date into the calendar widget below. Then, click on the ‘Book Now’ button which will bring you to the online booking form. For debit and credit card payments, please follow the green ‘Pay’ button on the payment portal. Please note that you will not need a PayPal account to complete the booking.
Have a question you want to ask about this course? Maybe you have already been on this course and would like to comment on your experience? Use the Disqus comment system below to let us know!
This 1-day introductory course is perfect for beginners looking to learn the art of traditional upholstery. You’ll discover the craftsmanship behind upholstering a footstool, using high-quality natural materials like cotton, coir (coconut fibre), and hessian to create your very own footstool on a solid wooden frame.
You can bring your own fabric for the final covering (please ensure it is suitable for upholstery), or purchase one from a range of upholstery fabrics available in our workshop.
This course is suitable for complete beginners—no prior experience is necessary. By the end of the day, you’ll have an upholstered footstool to take home, crafted entirely by you using traditional upholstery methods.
Join us for this hands-on experience and learn the timeless art of upholstery while creating a beautiful and durable footstool!
Fees: £150 (materials and tools are provided for the course, including a plain top fabric; you can bring your own top fabric as well)
Duration: 1 Day (9am to 5pm)
To ensure individual attention, there are never more than six students taught by one of our experienced tutors.
Tea, fresh coffee, and refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Please bring a packed lunch, or you can visit Farnham town centre, just a few minutes away by car.
Accommodation is not included, but there are many excellent hotels and B&BS in the area. Click this link to see a selection offering special rates.
Please note that we are unable to accept applications from anyone under the age of 18 at the start of their course.
If you would like to be notified when new course dates are available, you can do so via our Newsletter here.
To purchase one of our gift vouchers, just visit our Gift Vouchers page.
To book a course, choose a course from the above list and enter the start date into the calendar widget below. Then, click on the ‘Book Now’ button which will bring you to the online booking form. For debit and credit card payments, please follow the green ‘Pay’ button on the payment portal. Please note that you will not need a PayPal account to complete the booking.
Have a question you want to ask about this course? Maybe you have already been on this course and would like to comment on your experience? Use the Disqus comment system below to let us know!
