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14 Cottage St
Blackburn, VIC, 3130
Australia
0413 537 490
The Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking was founded by Alastair Boell in 2007. After graduating from the world renowned North Bennet Street School, Boston (USA) Alastair felt that there was a great need in Australia for an educational facility that focuses on traditional skills.
The Guild is committed to preserving and advancing craft traditions in furniture making. We are also committed to promoting a greater awareness and appreciation of
craftsmanship. In our classes we emphasize the skillful use of hand tools and power equipment and an informed use of appropriate materials. We are passionate about what we do and want to share information, ideas and skills with all our students young and old, from beginner to advanced.
Filtering by Category: Intensive
$410 AUD (2025
Sunday 27th April 2025
Sunday 26th October 2025
Presented by Eddy Toffeletti
French Polishing is a traditional finish where you apply thin layers of Shellac onto timber to bring out the subtle beauty held within.
$380.00 AUD (2025 course)
Sunday 31st August 2025
Presented by Matt Stonehouse
Adapting the classic Shaker oval box, we present to you the ‘Shaker Bentwood Tray’ course. While not traditional, this form echoes the look of iconic Shaker box tops.
BEGINNERS WELCOME
$890.00 AUD
Fri 17th to Sun 19th October 2025
(3 day course)
Presented by Michael Ooi
You will learn how to make a mallet, marking gauge, dovetail marker and a double bevel marking knife. These 4 tools represent an essential kit for anyone interested in fine woodworking.
Tues 8th to Fri 12th April 2025
(5 day course)
Presented by Jon Grant
The Windsor Jerry chair is contemporary in style and efficient to create. The Jerry has both turned legs and spindles, making it as much a beautiful woodturning project as it is a chairmaking one. It requires its maker to turn their hand to steam bending, turning, seat carving and classic Windsor Chair joinery.
$2390.00 AUD
Mon 30th June to Sun 6th July 2025
(7 day course)
Presented by Jon Grant
This is the Melbourne Guild’s fifth Continuous Arm chair resulting from Peter Galbert’s teaching visit to Australia.
Only 2 spots left!
$970 AUD (2025 course)
Fri 4th to Sun 6th April 2025
Fri 3rd Oct to Sun 2nd Nov 2025
Presented by Jon Grant
This Perch is a great opportunity to introduce you to the world of ‘Windsor’ chair making and the techniques associated with this iconic style.
Sunday 23rd March 2025
Only 4 spots left.
$440 AUD
Sunday 16th November 2025
Presented by Matt Stonehouse
‘Shaker Oval Boxes’ are recognized artifacts of Shaker life and work.
Only 4 spots left.
$430 AUD
Sunday 4th May 2025
Sunday 30th November 2025
Presented by Michael Ooi
This is a very comprehensive one day sharpening course. The importance of this topic is ALWAYS overlooked to the detriment of your furniture making.
$1,9200 AUD
Fri 13th to Mon 16th June 2025
Presented by Hugh Anderson
The Roorkee Chair belongs to the genre of Campaign Furniture. In the days of empires, there was a need for rugged, sturdy and simple furniture for military campaigns.
$820 AUD (2025 course)
Sat 29th to Sun 30th March 2025
Sat 6th to Sun 7th December 2025
Presented by Alastair Boell
Learn this delicate and sophisticated technique of assembling wooden pieces without the use of nails. Thinly slit wooden pieces are grooved, punched and mortised, and then fitted individually using a plane, saw, chisel and other tools to make fine adjustments.
$950 AUD
Fri 10th to Sun 12th October 2025
Presented by Simeon Dux
Most people, I’m sure would feel that hand cut dovetails are a daunting prospect and way beyond their skill level. Yet hand cut dovetails still represent around the world a standard of excellence that is easy to recognize by everyone.
Only 4 spots left.
$440 AUD
Sunday 27th July 2025
Presented by Matt Stonehouse
This course is recommended for those who have already completed the ‘Introductory’ course to Shaker Bentwood Boxes (Numbers 1, 2 & 3).