Ben Willis Woodcraft reviews
Rob Cock reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair
"What a tremendous week! Hands-on and hard work, in a small group, and with all the materials and tools you need to make a lovely chair, even if you've never picked up a drawknife in your life! I've been on a greenwood chair-making course before, so had some rusty skills and foggy memory of how it's done when I arrived, and knowing this, Ben took a very sympathetic approach to imparting his knowledge and ways of chair-making to me. He was more than happy for me to make a modified version of the chair he normally teaches (in my case a side chair variant with a high back but no arms), and he allowed me to get on with it when I wanted to, and gave freely of his knowledge and experience when I asked for help. Seeing how another teacher goes about the chair-making process was hugely useful, and I learnt much more than I would have done by repeating the course I'd done previously. As the chair he teaches is a Welsh stick chair, the course also focussed more on drawknife, spokeshave and seat-shaping skills than the other course I have done, which was great. The other difference is that, with the exception of the seat blank Ben provides, you make all the other components yourself, including cleaving the comb from the same log as the sticks and stretchers before steam-bending it and fashioning it with a spokeshave, and carving your own hardwood wedges. The workshop itself is accessible, yet feels properly "woodland", and the grounds in which it is set are beautiful. If you need accommodation there are a couple of spacious yurts in a woodland valley and a woodland cabin perched high on a bank with views through redwoods, right on site, as well as B&B accommodation in nearby Presteigne. If you are considering going on a greenwood chair course I can highly recommend this one. Be prepared for hard work and long days, and you'll come away with a huge sense of achievement and a new interest in traditional skills, not to mention a lovely chair!"
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."
Felicity reviewed: Make a Windsor chair
"Ben’s chair course was absolutely brilliant. It’s a great way to spend the evening, learning about green woodworking and putting your new found knowledge into practice. Each session passed in the blink of an eye, all the while having a good laugh. Ben’s a great teacher, and if you get stuck will help you out as much as needed, all with a smile. I’d recommend this without hesitation, and second the many positive comments in the other reviews."
Matt F. reviewed: Make a Windsor chair
"What a great way to spend a series of evenings! Learning new skills, using only hand tools, with like minded people and a patient, knowledgeable teacher. Incredible! The beautiful hand finished chair is a great result. My toddler has found her new perch and loves sitting on the chair and feling its texture. I may have to return to finish a set... A great gift to give or course to complete in the heart of Crystal Palace. I couldn't recommended Ben's course enough."
Josh Yaxley reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair
"If you are looking for a form of woodland therapy away from the rat race you could do no better than sign up to Bens woodcraft course. Not only that you will construct a piece of furniture to use for a lifetime! The peaceful and beautiful woodland workshop always has the fire kettle on. Ben is a great instructor and even if you are the most accident prone student in the world (me) you will construct something elegant. Although as a word of warning: this course will begin a lifetime interest in green woodwork and a tool addiction no rehab can fix."
Alison Lockett-Burke reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair
"Just emerged from a week in the woods with a beautiful chair that I can hardly believe I managed to make myself (but I definitely did, my new muscles are proof!). Armed with very little woodworking experience but lots of enthusiasm I was slightly apprehensive about retreating to the Mid Welsh woodland for a week on my own to make a chair. I needn't have worried, I've come away having had one of the most rewarding weeks of my life. The setting was absolutely perfect for a green woodworking course - deep in the woodland with only the sound of birds and sheep baaing in the background. Ben is the perfect balance of teacher - if you come expecting him to do the hard work for you to get the glory don't bother coming. If you want to come away with a beautiful piece that you know is yours, blood, sweat and tears (ok, no tears, promise) right down to the tiny wedges in the seat then this is for you. He makes sure you understand, learn and actually physically do the entire process from beginning to end, from splitting wood, axing, shaping, turing on a treadle lathe, adzing, seat shaping, measuring (and in my case remeasuring ha) - every single bit of making what will become your beautiful chair. He's patient, calm, funny and clearly an unassuming master of his trade as well as being a top notch teacher. It was an absolute joy to learn from someone who has so much love for green woodworking and is so passionate about passing it on. Passed it on he has and I'm already looking to do more green woodworking and as soon as he releases the next dates for his woodland courses I'll definitely be there. If you're thinking about doing this don't think twice, just do it, I can absolutely guarantee you won't regret it. You're almost certain to find a love for green woodwork that you didn't know you had.... Oh, and Ben is also a master at soup making and his lunch spreads were well needed and very much savoured and appreciated after a long morning axing wood!"
Nick Trowbridge reviewed: Make a Windsor chair
"This really is a superb course for anyone who is interested in wood work. Ben is an excellent teacher who allows you to get on with the task independently whilst ensuring a watching eye is kept over each student to make sure you don't mess it up. The time just flies along and you come away with a creation which you can be really proud of. During the course you will learn all sorts of techniques in Green wood working and you will become hooked- I have even bought my own tools! It is such a relaxing atmosphere in his workshop and I looked forward to my lessons each week and the progress we would make. 10/10!"
Elaine reviewed: Make a Windsor chair
"I loved every second of my making my beautiful chair with Ben. I'd highly recommend the course to anyone who is craving getting stuck in with a hands-on project and creating something truly special. Building the chair with only hand tools was hard work on the muscles at times, but incredibly satisfying and much more fun than the gym! The tools, techniques and and the different woods were all an absolute pleasure to work with and I've come away really proud of what I achieved. Thanks again Ben! If you're umm-ing and arr-ing about signing up, just go for it, it really is a brilliant course."
Rob Navratil reviewed: Make a Windsor chair
"I’ve had a long fascination with woodwork but hadn’t remotely considered taking a course to do it properly. I found a furniture making course a few years ago and loved it so was itching to do something new. I visited Ben at his workshop for a chat and was immediately inspired by a Rocking Chair he had up in the final stages of assembly. It didn’t take me long to sign up to one of his courses, it was just a case of which one. Being a complete novice with green wood, I, and I’m sure my follow students wanted to get cracking but Ben took his time to explain the intricacies of splitting a log and all subsequent techniques as they came up. It’s easy for a teacher to just say “do it like this’ but I felt I really learned a lot about the tree itself and this informs your decisions further on in the project. To the extent that I’d be confident to try and start a project on my own at home. Ben is fantastic teacher and has a very serene atmosphere to his workshop. A lusty blow too many with a gouge and he’s there with an encouraging word. I have found working wood with hand tools so satisfying and it engages all your senses, yes even taste (keep your mouth shut when using the lathe) Looking at a Windsor Chair can look quite daunting but I would say go for it and push yourself. The results are absolutely worth it. I could feel and see the improvements over the 10 weeks and I now have a piece of furniture that will last a lifetime. When I look at it I know every single joint and component I made myself, such a great feeling. Thanks for an excellent 10 weeks Ben, I’ve learned so much and would recommend to anyone to give it go."
Alan Cheadle reviewed: Make a Windsor chair
"My wife encouraged me to sign up to an introductory green woodworking course last June, where I met Ben and found a real interest in woodworking that I had no experience in. He is a great teacher and got the best out of us and we all came away with a spatula and rolling pin. Fast forward through the 2 weekend stool making class and recent 10 week chair making course and I've come away not only with some nice pieces of furniture, but an appreciation and understanding of working with different types of wood, some very cool hand tools, and a new love of building with my hands from scratch. Whether you want to take on a completely new challenge and set of skills, have a bit of good fun, and/or add a bit of nice furniture to your collection - I highly recommend this course with Ben!"
Terry Thomas reviewed: Make a Windsor chair
"It all started when my children bought me the stool making course for fathers day. It was great fun. Ben is an excellent teacher with a wealth of knowledge. He is also very personable and made sure everyone got the time and attention they needed to complete their project. After two Saturdays I came away with a great stool and trust for more. I had been searching for a creative outlet for years now and this really fitted the bill. So much so I booked myself on the chair making course and loved every minute of it. I have come away confident enough to start making chairs on my own. Ben continued to be a help after the course with reminders and tips via email. I don't think there is anything else like it in London."