Learning properly - suggestions for intensive / immersion programs

[Mtoo]

Hi Everyone

I have been enjoying woodwork for a while - but I can tell my skill levels will never really increase unless I put more 'learning effort' into it.

I am therefore thinking of using my long services leave to do an intensive / immersion program somewhere - ideally for 2 months (3 is maybe too long to be away from family, 2 I can sneak past my wife!).

Suggestions super welcome. Bonus points for super excellent teacher(s) and triple points for a good cost!

Cheers

MToo

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum.

[NCArcher]

Have a look here
Intensive Courses in Woodworking | Special Projects (http://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/intensive-woodwork)

[ian]

As suggested by NCArcher, the Sturt School in Mittagong is a very good place for intensive instruction.
Phoebe Everill, Phoebe Everill - Furniture Maker | Melbourne Woodworkers (http://www.phoebeeverill.com/) started her journey to fine furniture making with one of the 10 week courses.
and Stuart Faulkner Heartwood Creative Woodworking - Woodwork Classes Sydney (http://heartwoodcreative.com.au/) used to be the wood school director.
other teachers I know of are Splinter Workshop Woodwork classes in Sydney – evening and weekend courses (http://www.splinterworkshop.com.au/woodwork-classes/the-workshop/) and Richard Crosland Richard Crosland's School of Fine Woodwork | School of Fine Woodwork (http://crosland.com.au/)

I'm sure there are additional options

[groeneaj]

What skills/techniques are you wanting to learn?

[Mtoo]

Hi Groeneaj

Probably unlearn, and relearn is a better description of what I need. No, seriously - hybrid woodwork for fine furniture making. I'm thinking of casting the net wider than Australia - I mean if you get time off why not travel!?

Cheers!

[ian]

Probably unlearn, and relearn is a better description of what I need. No, seriously - hybrid woodwork for fine furniture making. I'm thinking of casting the net wider than Australia - I mean if you get time off why not travel!?now you are getting really serious !

There are almost any number of well respected teachers and schools in North America and the UK. Unfortunately / fortunately these schools / teachers tend to book out well in advance -- many will be taking bookings for classes in 2019 or 2020. Which gives you plenty of time to get ready for the experience.
Most of the schools / teachers I'm familiar with adopt a hybrid approach to woodworking.

But casting the net that widely brings in other problems like getting your tools to and from and being away from home for the required length of time.

When I next come back I'll list some of the schools which advertise in the mags I buy.

[groeneaj]

A couple of highly rated schools in the US are:

Woodworking Schools | Furniture Making Courses | Woodworking Course | Woodworking Classes (http://www.philadelphiafurnitureworkshop.com)

https://marcadams.com/?src=directory&view=classes&srctype=classes_lister_date

https://wnwoodworkingschool.com

In the UK there is: Bespoke Furniture and Furniture Making Apprenticeships (http://www.barnsley-furniture.co.uk)

If you want something local I reckon Sturt school for wood in Mittagong would be an excellent choice.

[ian]

highly regarded North American schools

North Bennet Street School located in Boston, Massachusetts. I would suggest one of the longer continuing education courses Continuing Education | North Bennet Street School (http://www.nbss.edu/continuing-education/overview)

Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking located about 2 hours north of Vancouver IPSFC (http://www.insidepassage.ca/)

Gary Rogowski's Northwest Woodworking Studio Home - Northwest Woodworking Studio (http://www.northwestwoodworking.com/) Gary is a regular contributor to Fine Woodworking. Along with residential courses, Gary also offers a distance learning option.

The Krenov School of Fine Woodworking. The 2017 Summer school program could have been completed over 6 consecutive weeks Summer Workshops « College of the Redwoods Fine Furniture (http://crfinefurniture.com/summer-workshops-2017/)


UK
The Chippendale School of Furniture Furniture School UK - Cabinet Making Courses (http://www.chippendaleschool.com/)

Waters and Acland http://www.watersandacland.co.uk/furniture-school/furniture-making-courses/

Ben Rawlison http://benrawlinson.co.uk/Courses.html

John Lloyd http://www.johnlloydfinefurniture.co.uk/training-courses/short-furniture-making-courses/furniture-making-courses/

David Charlesworth http://www.davidcharlesworth.co.uk/short-course/ I believe that David also has space for a small number (<4) of longer term students who are looking for more than a week or 10 days of instruction.



And just across the ditch is the New Zealand Centre for Fine Woodworking http://www.cfw.co.nz/courses.html


In respect to all the above, normal students fall into three broad groups
1. those who are looking for a weekend skills workshop
2. those who can spend a week's vacation time doing a course
3. those who want to transition to a career in fine woodworking.

Given that you have 2 to 3 months available, I suggest you contact the schools, educators that seem of most interest to you and discuss what program, if any, they could offer. It's possible that you could combine a week long introductory course with 6 to 7 weeks of mentoring in the instructor's workshop.

[Mr Brush]

If you're interested in the 12 month course at Sturt (Mittagong), the exhibition of work from 2017 graduating students opens this weekend (18th Nov) and continues through to 3 Dec. It's only a short drive down the freeway from Sydney. Good chance to have a look at the facilities and the standard of work they aim for.

[HuonPhil]

It would be entirely possible to spend 2 months of intensive training just learning to properly use a single tool. I remember spending countless hours at the start of my apprenticeship converting square pieces of oak into round dowels with just a chisel. These were used by the tradesmen to peg mortise and tenon joints. I really didn't see how this taught me how to make furniture (think Karate Kid - wax on, wax off!). Well it doesn't of course, but it does mean that when you need to do some precision chisel work you can hold and use the chisel properly/safely/confidently. You understand the importance of being aware of grain direction. You might also have learnt a bit about keeping the chisel sharp.
I would be wary of any course claiming broad outcomes in short order.
I mean this to be sagacious not negative or dismissive. Good luck with your endeavours.
Philip.
(Here endeth the sermon:D)

[royflatmate]

Head across the ditch to Nelson and do the beginners intensive course.Runs for 8 weeks and you will learn a lot.Great place to be ,fantastic people and quality instructors.They will help you get some accommodation with local families.Trouble is you won't want to leave.I went last year and was one of the best things that I have done.Dollars good to at the moment as well.And just quietly there's 4 craft brewerys in the area.

cheers.....Roy

[Mtoo]

Hi Ian
Thank you for those great suggestions. I really like the Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking's 10 week intro course.

Hi Roy
I also like the NZFW 8 week course.
---

I also have my eye on the centre for fine furniture craftsmanship's 12 week furniture intensive course.

Keep the options coming though! It's a give investment in time and money so I don't want to get it wrong, or better said, I want to make an informed choice.

Cheers!
MT

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "MToo".
There are a stack members across the Sydney area plus the rest of the country.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork......
Cheers crowie

PS - Keep an eye out for a get together for the wider Sydney basin forum members....great way to met & make friends.

[clear out]

There are 3 escapees from Sydney up in Brisbane who may be worth checking out.
Bob Howard, Richard Vaughan and Roy Shack.
The old school of farts at the ANU in the ACT might have something tho I suspect it would be be very aesthetically oriented rather than a rigid skills based course as under George and what’s his name.
H.

[JJF]

Welcome to the forum

[Mtoo]

Hi Everyone

Thank you again for your suggestions. I have decided to go with Ian's suggestion of Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking and I am (x'd fingers) booked in for May 2018.

I chose this option because I really like the fact that the school focuses on amateurs, that it's in Canada (and its timezone crosses over with Sydney better than some other options), and the style/aesthetic is more 'me' than other options.

Cheers!

Mtoo

[ian]

Hi Everyone

Thank you again for your suggestions. I have decided to go with Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking and I am (x'd fingers) booked in for May 2018.

I chose this option because I really like the fact that the school focuses on amateurs, that it's in Canada (and its timezone crosses over with Sydney better than some other options), and the style/aesthetic is more 'me' than other options. Hi Mtoo

so it's more than 10 weeks since your course at the Inside Passage school would have started -- and perhaps it's 2 months since you completed the course.

How was the experience?