Having spent many an hour dreaming of making my own furniture, I was finally able to make it a reality having recently attended the three day Perch Stool workshop with Jon, Alastair and his team. What an amazing three days! Although the course was intensive, the atmosphere was always relaxed, with Jon, Alastair and Doug, ever ready to help and guide us through the various, and often complex stages of the Perch Stool. I found all three of the guys to be extremely generous, who were never shy in being prepared to share their in-depth knowledge and skills, which more often than not, was delivered with an abundance of good humor and musings.
Read More
My thanks to Jon, Alaster and Doug for the sharing of their knowledge, the use of their equipment and workshop. The whole week end was a rewarding and informative experience, I now know what a scorp is, and a radius plane, how animal glue still has a place in the 21st C and a new found respect for Japanese draw saws. Oh, and you do learn a little more about yourself too. An excellent week end, worth the experience and expense. Would recommend this to anybody.
Read More
I attended my third Shaker Bentwood Box class on Sunday. Why have I done three? Well, for me, they make unique gifts for special people and I needed 3 in a short space of time. At the end of the day, you go home with three complete boxes which only require sanding and oil/polish/wax before they are ready to be presented as gifts. The timing was perfect.
Read More
After years of self taught furniture making full of mistakes and bad joinery I thought it was time to improve my skills and sign up to a course in the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking. Two and a half years later and I am glad I did!
Read More
Highly recommended for anyone that wishes to learn from an inspiring, humble master of the trade. I gained a wonderful insight into the relaxing and challenging world of hand crafted woodwork. I also met a fantastic bunch of people!
Read More
I have three beautiful Shaker boxes in my study. I made them recently with the help of Alastair Boell at the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking, and they’re supposed to be a wedding present for my niece. But I’m not sure if I can part with them!
Read More
I am learning at my own pace and most importantly, learning to slow the pace – a necessary counterbalance to my work and the rest of my life. This kind of woodwork is far removed from flat packs and instant objects, but so very satisfying on so many levels.
Read More
Coming from Canberra, I thought it was a big call to attend a course in Melbourne but the sound of the Shaker Box course sounded so good I decided to give it a go. What a decision!
Read More
Peter Galbert was a new perspective on chair making. He didn’t spend much time measuring angles, he used mirrors. I liked his methods
Read More
My family and I had just recently moved here from the United States and I wanted to find a place where I could take some woodworking classes and maybe learn a few things. I’ve been doing woodworking as a hobby for years and although I love it I’ve never been that good at it. I found Alistair’s website while searching for a school and noticed he was going to be at the Timber and Woodworking Show so I went to see him and find out more about his school.
Read More
Joining the Fine Furniture Open Course was a great move for me. Alastair is a talented professional with great knowledge and skills and with high performance standards. He is very generous in sharing his knowledge to teach and mentor students to achieve more than they’d have thought possible.
Read More
If you are interested in the finer points of furniture making this is the place to be. Under Alastair’s stewardship, the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking emphasizes craftsmanship and individual style.
Read More
The home of Fine Woodworking in Melbourne - I joined Alastair’s class about 2 years ago and I have been very satisfied with it. I really appreciate the friendly and relaxed atmosphere, along with the quality of the work done around me. Alastair is always very helpful, and he makes sure the equipment is well maintained and safe
Read More
Alastair is a great teacher and his most exceptional quality is bringing out the creativity and passion of a woodworking artist. The true purpose of the class for me was, not to specifically produce a bowl or a bookcase, it was to tap into that inner creative being.
Read More
Well, my 20 year dream of making my own Windsor chair has come and gone! If only life were always that interesting. A week after the intensive 6 day Windsor chair making course was completed it now truly feels like it never really happened. But of course when I sit in that chair I know that I am not dreaming.
Read More
Recently I participated in a one-day Shaker Box course at MGFW with two objectives in mind: One, to make some of these instantly recognisable oval boxes by hand using traditional techniques, and two, to experience an organised class at MGFW prior to participating in a longer and more involved course.
Read More