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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.
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 MoreComing 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 MorePeter Galbert was a new perspective on chair making. He didn’t spend much time measuring angles, he used mirrors. I liked his methods
Read MoreMy 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 MoreJoining 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 MoreIf 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 MoreThe 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 MoreAlastair 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 MoreWell, 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 MoreRecently 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.
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