Lakeland Cabinet Makers reviews

1 Sep 21'

Howard Swarbrick reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"There were four attendees on the course held over 14/15th Aug of varying skills and experience.To his credit Mark was able to keep us all on the go at a pace to suit our individual abilities but at the same time not allowing anyone to fall behind. There was no waiting for anyone to catch up. There was great emphasis on workshop safety and to this end the use of all relevant hand and power tools was explained and what could happen if "you did it wrong"! Each step along the way was carefully explained with a demo if needed. Mark is very knowledgeable particularly when it comes to wood finishing; indeed he has created his own finishing waxes. I made a box using oak with concave external faces with a walnut drop down lid and radiused corner trims. Well chuffed I was! The location is super, very close to the M6 and easy to find. We had a lot of fun; a good laugh and came away with a sense of achievement. Here's to the next course"

23 Aug 21'

Peter Swarbrick reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"The Lake District has many hidden gems. This course is one of them - what a great course. Mark makes you most welcome and explains everything so well. There is an emphasis on safety which is excellent. While I have been woodworking for years I learned a lot of new techniques which will improve my finishing skills. All my friends are amazed at the box I made. It's made me so keen on box making I've been on line and bought some new equipment. What a great hobby for the winter months. Well done Mark. May you and your courses flourish."

18 Aug 21'

Viv reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I had previously sent my mum on a course with Mark as a present to help her build confidence with tools, and on her return I was amazed by how beautiful her box was. I had to do this for myself, and came along to a course last week. Mark is a great teacher and is good at seeing where someone needs a bit more support for a particular job. He helped us use his wonderful array of tools safely, including the power tools! By the end of the two days each of us had produced a wooden box, with each of us choosing styles and finishes that we liked, from different examples that he had ready in his workshop, and each of us left with a beautiful piece that will last through the years. In my case that meant an oak and walnut jewellery box with a brass hinge pinned lid, but each one was unique. Most of all, I had a lot of fun, and I would definitely go on another course with Mark."

15 Aug 21'

Diane Morphew reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"As good as a holiday.Four of us worked with Mark and each produced something to be proud of. He helps and guides you every step of the way,building confidence as you go. You get to use brilliant pieces of kit,and at the end you can SO impress your friends and family. If you need local accommodation I can highly reccommend The White House B&B at Clifton, just 5 minutes drive away"

8 Aug 21'

Andre Hundley reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"I had been meaning to purchase a router for some time but despite watching numerous YouTube tutorials, felt that I really needed hands on tuition to give me the confidence to use it. The router course was excellent with just the right balance of theory and practical and I can only say that I came away delighted. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone thinking of purchasing a router for the first time, regardless of your woodworking skills."

24 Jul 21'

Anna Northam reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I went on the box making course recently. If you're thinking about a 'wooden box', then think again. We made art (I don't usually pat myself on the shoulder) and that was all down to the talents of Mark...I would do this course again in a heart beat."

13 Jul 21'

Michael reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"This is the second course that I have attended with Mark and just like the first course really enjoyed it but more importantly I was able to learn so much from Mark. I made a oak and mahogany box from start to finish over the weekend and it was the little things that Mark suggested I do that took this box to a different level. Great weekend, great company, excellent tuition - would I do another course ? the simple and honest answer is absolutely yes."

12 Jul 21'

Rory Molloy reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Just done this course- fantastic! Made a brilliant walnut and oak box. Mark is an excellent teacher, I learned more during the weekend than after months of struggling on my own. Lovely setting, relaxed atmosphere!"

11 Jul 21'

Bob Jefferson reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"This is the 3rd course I have done with the guys at Penrith. Another excellent course. Knowledgeable teaching and support. I can now make hinges work in a beautiful yew box! Well worth spending the weekend doing it."

13 Jun 21'

Steve Johnson reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I have just done my second box making weekend and can’t recommend them enough. Without repeating the comments on my previous review which can be seen below I can confirm that the variety of potential options regards box designs means that these courses aren’t just a one off weekend session, the box I made this weekend was completely different to my first one. The other advantage of a second visit is that you can ask Mark all the questions you didn’t know you needed to ask until you start experimenting with your woodworking at home. Once again the two days were extremely enjoyable with Mark who has a very relaxed style of teaching but also my fellow students who were great company once again."

13 Jun 21'

Paul Cody reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a fantastic course and a brilliant weekend. Mark was so calm, patient and knowledgeable. A first-class instructor. I never thought that I would have been able to make such a high quality piece of Joinery. If you’re thinking about booking a course just do it. There are no bad sides, everything is first class."

14 Dec 20'

Stewart Svaasand reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a wonderful course. Mark is a fun, patient and excellent teacher. A really relaxed atmosphere and I definitely learned my share of skills I’ll be putting into good use. Highly recommend."

13 Dec 20'

Malcolm reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Have just participated in Mark’s two day box making course what an enjoyable weekend. Mark is a great teacher who showed great skill and patience. I was thrilled with the box I made and also with the skills he taught us. The weekend passed too quickly. Thank you Mark!"

2 Nov 20'

John Greathead reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"This is a excellent course. I would recommend it for beginners and experts."

28 Oct 20'

Stoddart reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Mark is a great tutor and woodworker. I not only made a beautiful box but learnt a lot of woodworking tips not related to boxes. A great two days."

27 Oct 20'

Jon Hart reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Complete novice with regards to using a router but as I was determined to start using it regularly in the coming year I found this course and was not disappointed =. Mark was an excellent instructor, very patient and overflowing with knowledge and useful hints and tips. The day met my expectations and having walked in with no knowledge of holding a new router, I walked out confident in undertaking work at home with no risk of injuring myself! Very pleased and can thoroughly recommend."

21 Oct 20'

Ben Carr reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Been on this course and wow it was excellent, loved every min off it and got confidence using the router safely and properly, the teacher (Mark Farrelly) was excellent as well and a good laugh so it wasn't boring. Free cup of coffee and tea which good too, would highly recommend this Course. I hope to join on another course with the lakeland cabinet makers."

24 Sep 20'

Jeff reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I attended the course looking for two outcomes: improve my limited woodworking skills and have a box to take home. Both were achieved. The box designs allowed a lot of creativity and personalisation and this along with the knowledgeable support of the tutor made for a great course. I picked up a lot of useful tips in a very relaxed environment. I would really recommend this course; enjoyable and full of help and support."

14 Sep 20'

John Logan reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Booked the course to improve my woodworking knowledge and skills. The course was excellent, I learned such a lot with the added bonus of a beautiful box to take home. The course was well organised and felt very safe. Mark was superb and I will be booking more courses!"

13 Sep 20'

Mark Gregory reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Really enjoyable course, learning the basics of using a router. No previous knowledge needed as you are stepped through the processes, not only of a hand held router but the use of a router table as well. Mark knows his stuff and delivers the course to suit his audience. He listens to them to find out what they want to get out of the course and adapts to cover all their needs. The experience has given me the confidence to get on with my own projects. Definitely recommend this course."

7 Sep 20'

Doug B reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I had been looking forward to this course for a while but work and then Covid-19 got in the way so thank you to Mark for putting on some additional courses to cover the backlog of cancellations. This is a justifiably popular course. Mark’s excellent teaching and patience caters for all abilities, from absolute beginner to experienced woodworkers, and everyone will come away with a fully finished box to be proud of. Mark will let you choose from a variety of different box styles and woods, allowing you to make a unique box. Mark will then introduce hand tool techniques covering measuring, sawing, chiselling, planing and scraping and then let you progress to using workshop machines. All fully monitored and in complete safety. Progress is surprisingly swift (even for those making dovetails by hand!), and the basics of your box will be complete by the end of a very satisfying first day. Day 2 is really all about finishing and again Mark will demonstrate the techniques and materials to use to really make your box stand out. If you have any doubts about booking this course then just do it - you really will enjoy it and have a wonderful hand-made box to show off to your family and friends at the end of it. Thank you Mark for an excellent weekend!"

31 Aug 20'

Jo Moore reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Great course. I love wood and have wanted to learn more about working with it for a long time. I booked for myself, a 40-something year old woman a little bit scared of power tools, and my 17 year old nephew, who, having just finished his first (somewhat disrupted) first year of joinery at college, already has more experience than me. We both got a huge amount out of the weekend and came out with new skills, more confidence and a beautiful wooden box each. This is a relaxed course with plenty of time to finish the project without feeling rushed. The different methods offered for making the boxes meant that the 4 students came out with 4 very different boxes and there was enough time to learn by observing demonstrations of all the alternative techniques being used. A very satisfying and highly recommended weekend."

30 Aug 20'

Andu Atkins reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I've just come home from this course after 2 fabulous days. Covid pushed the course back by 6 months, but it was well worth the wait. Mark has all the right controls in place and, if you chose to, you could spend the entire 2 days in high level PPE with a very low risk. The course would suit anyone, from an experienced home woodworker to a complete novice (I'm closer to the latter, but there more experienced people on the course) as there's lots worth learning and the results are very professional."

30 Aug 20'

Stephen Arkwright reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a fantastic few days, Mark was so calm and helped us through all of the steps, clear instructions and demonstrations, so you always knew what you where doing. Many different options and combinations of the box to choose from, the wood, the shape, the lid, so no one is making the same box. Even more impressed that Mark was always on hand just in case any doubts crept in, he would set every one off doing a task but always new where to look for anyone that needed help. From start to finish was an excellent course, not just the box making but also loads of tips and discussions on tools in general, even threw in a demonstration on sharpening chisels, plane blades and scraper blades. Cannot recommend this course any higher than by saying I will be booking another course very soon."

20 Aug 20'

John reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a great weekend! After a lack of normal social activities for months due to the Covid-19 lockdown, it was challenge to attend an indoor practical course that required close supervision. However, excellent attention was given to ensure safety in the workshop, with all appropriate PPE provided, and I would have no hesitation whatsoever in returning for another course. Mark was an outstanding teacher with a clear precise style of communication and very good-humoured patience (which was certainly needed for me!). His practical demonstrations were like watching a surgeon at work, amazing. We learned lots of little tips that make all the difference and everyone completed a box with their own choice of woods and design. If you are looking for an interesting workshop that delivers, then this is certainly it - very highly recommended! Thanks again Mark."