In-person course
in Crystal Palace, London Maker & location details

(13)

Make a Windsor-style stool

Shaping stool legs on a shaving horse

Stool seats awaiting some loving attention

Using a spokeshave to shape and smooth the stool seat

Refining stool legs

Carefully drilling mortices for stool legs

Levelling up!

A lovely stool to take home!

Description

This course will run over two consecutive Saturdays between 10am and 5pm and involve the creation of a beautiful three-legged Windsor-style stool using traditional chair-making tools and techniques. You'll learn how to split freshly felled timber straight from the log, then fashion the legs of your stool with a variety of simple hand tools such as the axe, drawknife and spokeshave. You'll then use an adze and travisher to shape a comfortable saddle. This process is called bottoming. No smirking now! Finally, you'll be taken through the process of assembling the final piece, involving precision drilling and the construction of some super-strong wedged mortise and tenon joints. Then it’s yours to take home and show off to friends and family, and hopefully sit on occasionally when you're not sneaking admiring glances at it when no one's looking! The course is run in a fun, relaxed environment in the Stoney Lane Studios, a working community of artists and craftspeople in the bustling Crystal Palace area of south London.

What's included in the price?

Basic materials will be supplied, but there will be a small additional charge for the timber for the seat. This will depend on what I have in stock at the time, but is likely to be £15-30. Copious quantities of tea, coffee and biscuits (and occasionally cake) will be supplied throughout the day. Please bring a packed lunch.

Duration

2 days

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Ben Willis Woodcraft

with Craft Courses since 2017

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Suitable for

Public transport
Engagement, birthdays & anniversaries
Suitable for beginners

What does this mean?

Message the tutor

Venue

Stoney Lane Studios, Stoney Lane, Crystal Palace, London, Greater London, SE19 3BD

Reviews

All maker's reviews

2 Oct 23'

Matthew Bentley reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"Had a brilliant time making the stool. Very cathartic and loved the end result. Looking to book my next course once I convince my wife."

17 Oct 22'

Tom reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"I had the best time on Ben's stool making course. Ben's very friendly and knowledgeable allowing any novices to learn the skills to leave with a stool to be proud of! The workshop is very well equipped and plenty of time is spent explaining the skills needed both as a group and 1 to 1. Would highly recommend to anyone"

21 Jan 20'

Shyam reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"I had a great time. Ben gives clear and interesting descriptions and demonstrations and helps you just the right amount. It’s good fun trying out all the different tools. Time flies! I love my new stool, too."

20 Jan 20'

Steve H reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"I really enjoyed this course - learnt loads and got a great little stool at the end of it. Ben really knows his stuff and communicates it very well; friendly, patient and just an all round good guy. His workshop is well set up too. I will hopefully be doing more with him soon. Thoroughly recommended."

20 Jan 20'

John reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"Incredible fun and rewarding weekend. Ben is a fantastic teacher - extremely knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Not to mention a really nice bloke. Learned an awful lot and took home something I am proud to say I made. I'll certainly be returning to take another course soon. Cheers Ben!"

3 Mar 19'

Michael Whiteside reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"This course is one of the most brilliant and enjoyable I have done. My wife, Liz, bought me the course for Christmas as she had enjoyed it so much- and that says it all: I have worked with wood before, but learnt many new-to-me traditional skills working from the 'green' chunk of tree we started with. Liz on the other hand, had never so much as cut a piece of wood before, and yet we both have a lovely chair that Ben taught us to craft. Ben is a very skilled communicator, teacher and craftsperson, who guides you through the traditional process and tools to make your own gorgeous chair or table from - well- a chunk of tree. My group of 6 was a mix of men and women from of novice to experienced; we all enjoyed the course and came out with good looking chairs that we can be proud of, thanks to Ben's teaching. I highly recommend Ben's course, especially if you want some time out from the busy world, immersed in a focused, creative and rewarding process. Michael, Feb 2019"

8 Jan 19'

Jeremy reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"The course was fantastic. I entered as a complete beginner to woodwork but Ben was a great teacher and was able to guide me through everything meaning I managed to take home an amazing looking stool. I'd thoroughly recommend to anyone."

29 Nov 18'

Philip Durrant reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"This was a really fun course and Ben is a great teacher. I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in learning about wood working. And now I have a stool that I've been showing off to everyone!"

19 Nov 18'

Joe Evans reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"This was a superb course. Ben was a great teacher - clear, patient and highly knowledgeable. He created a warm and supportive atmosphere, and kept everyone bouyant and motivated. The process was well-paced over the two days, with no sense that you were either being rushed or waiting around. All of the tools and materials were of the highest quality and the finished product is beautiful, functional and an object to be proud of for years to come. I’d recommend this course, and Ben as a teacher, without hesitation."

19 Jul 18'

Nico reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"Brilliant course. I am very inexperienced at woodworking and a pretty bad DIYer, so it is to Ben's credit that I managed to bring home such a lovely object! Ben is very patient and spend time with you to be sure that you are not lost. All his explanations are very clear and I've learned a bit about trees. I strongly recommend this course, I now everyday sit on this very comfortable stool I have done with my own hands, great stuff!!"

10 Apr 18'

Paul Brophy reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"This is an excellent course. This was my first attempt at woodworking and I am delighted with my finished stool. Ben is a great teacher and the sessions in his workshop are really enjoyable, relaxed with a healthy dose of hard work."

1 Oct 17'

Lee Umney reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"Absolutely loved this course! the time went so quickly. Great atmosphere. Nice surroundings for lunch. Ben is a great, patient and approachable teacher. Could not ask for more. Highly recommend this course or any of Ben's - you will be amazed by what you start off with and what you go home with!"

20 Sep 17'

Andrew J reviewed: Make a Windsor-style stool

"Thoroughly enjoyed the course - learnt a lot about working with wood and using traditional wood tools (and pleased to say I still remember the names of many of them). I also liked the fact we start with green wood (i.e. straight from the tree) and at the end of the course you have crafted an awesome stool (which my kids have put to good use). Keen to sign-up to the chair course next."

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Crystal Palace, London

Make a Windsor chair

Next date: 15th Sep 2024

6 places left

(23)

£510.00