Contact Us

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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.

Hand Tool Event & Open Day Weekend

The Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking offers one of Melbourne’s most diverse teaching environments for the study of traditional fine woodworking skills.

To showcase the best of what we do, we will be holding a Hand Tool Event & Open Day Weekend.  

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October

This is a
FREE EVENT!

We are also pleased to announce the arrival of Matt Kenney, who will be teaching 3 courses at our school in October:

This FREE EVENT is a weekend long feast of woodworking activities, demonstrations, a student exhibition and the opportunity to buy fine tools and salvaged timber from in and around Melbourne. 

We look forward to seeing you at our Hand Tool Event/ Open Day Weekend!

 

Demo Schedule

SATURDAY 14th OCTOBER 2023

STATION A - Formal Demonstrations

10:15 – 11:15am – Perch Stool Making  - Jon Grant
11:30 to 12:30pm – Windsor - Jerry Chair making -  Jon Grant
1:00 to 2:00pm – Fitting an 18 Century drawer – Alastair Boell
2:30pm to 3:00pm – Lathe Demo – Mallet & Drawer pull – Alastair Boell 

STATION B -  Casual Ongoing Demonstrations

10:00am – 12:00pm – Ongoing Handcut Dovetails – Simeon Dux
12:30 – 2:00 - Ongoing Kumiko – Foxy and Lee Anthony
2:30 – 4:00 – Ukelele Making – Lee Gratton 

STATION C - Formal Demonstrations

10:00am – 11:00am – ‘How to develop your own creative voice’ – Matt Kenney
11:30am – 12:30pm – Drum Making – Matt Stonehouse
12:30 – 1:30 – Steam Bending & Shaker Box Making – Matt Stonehouse
2:00pm - 3:00pm – ‘All things Kumiko’ – Matt Kenney 

SUNDAY 15th OCTOBER 2023 

STATION A - Formal Demonstrations

10:30am – 11:30am – Stool & Chair Making – Alastair Boell & Jon Grant
12:00pm – 1:00pm – French Polishing & Furniture Restoration – Eddie Toffeletti
1:30pm – 2:30pm – 18th Century Candlebox Making – Lee Gratton 

 

STATION B - Ongoing Casual Demonstrations

10:00am – 11:30 - Ongoing Roorkee Chair Making – Hugh Anderson
12:30pm – 2:00pm – Ongoing Spice Chest Hand Cut Dovetail Joinery – Alastair Boell
2:30pm – 3:30pm – Kumiko Box – Alastair Boell 

 

STATION C - Formal Demonstrations

10:00am – 11:00am – ‘Develop your own creative voice’ – Matt Kenney
12:30 – 1:00 – Sharpening & Hand Plane Tuning – Alastair Boell
2:00 – 3:30 – Ongoing ‘All things Kumiko’ – Matt Kenney