Thompsons Wood reviews

Graeme reviewed: Make your own Coffee Table

"I recently had the pleasure of spending a day with Jake in his workshop building a coffee table together. I am an absolute novice when it comes to working with wood. From the very beginning it was clear that this was not one of those ‘show up and build to a template’ experiences. Jake was interested in the type of material I wanted to use, the size, style and any other thoughts I had on the project and how they could be interpreted - a truly collaborative process. As the day progressed we would discuss, adapt the plan, include new ideas and materials, and by the end of the day had a table we were both really excited about. Jake’s enthusiasm is infectious, he clearly loves what he does, and his skill is on display at every stage of the process. He loves to talk, wants to get to know you, and we got lost down lanes of conversation more than once. If you want to take on a project with Jake - and I recommend you do - be prepared to work! As I said earlier, this is not a ‘show up and build to a template’ experience. Everything is made from blocks of timber in his workshop, bansawing blocks into boards, planing, thicknessing, jointing, mortising, glueing, sanding (so much sanding!) Jake shows you what he needs, how to do it safely, then it is in your hands (under his ever watchful eye). By the end of the day I was pretty tired. If that is your sort of experience, then Jake is the person for you. Thank you so much Jake, it was a day I will never forget, and a table I am proud to have built with you that has pride of place in our lounge."

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Wow. That's made my year, what an unbelievably gorgeous review, it was a pleasure to have you in the shop, thank you 🥲"

Iren reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"What a fantastic day. Jake's instruction was perfect and I made really lovely bowl and pen. This course is perfect as a gift or for anyone wanting to spend a day being creative. I've recommended to all my friends. Thanks v much Jake "

Christopher Gunn reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"Truly a very good course. I had a great time. I’d recommend this to anyone interested in woodworking."

Toby Rathbone reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"If you're interested in learning about working with wood and coming away with a lovely piece of furniture this course will suit you down to the ground! Jake was a great teacher and starting from scratch he guided me through the various stages included in constructing a quality coffee table. He was also very friendly and good to get on with. Thoroughly recommended for anyone who has an interest in woodworking and making furniture. "

Kathy E reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Very enjoyable 1:1 "Lathe Turning for Beginners" workshop last week. Jake had prepared a lovely blank for me to work on (Sapele and Maple) and guided me through the process of making it into a bowl. I also learnt how to inlay copper wire into the rim. Very pleased with the final piece - the bowl is super smooth and finished with beeswax, which really brings the grain out. All in all, a thoroughly absorbing session - Jake provided me with just the right level of input. "

Megan & Lewis reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I purchased the Lathe Turning for Beginners course as a present for my fiancés birthday present and I don’t think I’ll ever top it! Jake went above and beyond and the bowl my fiancé walked away with is gorgeous. (It’s now our dining room table centerpiece) Jake was attentive and supportive throughout Lewis’s lesson and shared so much knowledge about the tools and machines. He was incredibly kind and patient, he also makes a great cuppa. Thank you for an amazing day and Lewis can’t wait to get his lathe so he can continue his new skills. Hopefully I can come back soon for my own lesson ☺️ "

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thank you Megan and thank you Lewis, that was a very enjoyable day for me too! I appreciate the kind words and yes please come back and do yourself a course Megan itd be a pleasure to teach you too 🥰"

Hershey reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"I had an amazing experience learning under Jake’s tutelage! His depth of knowledge in woodworking is incredible, and he’s a quick, creative problem-solver. Jake was accommodating, patient, and took the time to clearly explain each step and the use of every tool and machine. His enthusiasm and encouragement made the entire process even more enjoyable, and I was thrilled to leave with a beautiful table I built myself! I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their skills in furniture making. It’s informative, hands-on, and taught by a truly good instructor! "

Alex Ross reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"What a fantastic experience. Jake is a very patient, knowledgeable and informative tutor. His approach to teaching is brilliant- enough hands-on demonstration to give me the confidence to crack on and create something I'm truly proud of, which is more than I hoped for on my first attempt! The workshop is a lovely, relaxing environment which helped get me focused on the project. For anyone considering this course, I can't recommend it highly enough. Thanks Jake!"

Will reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"Great course. Really happy with my finished piece of furniture. Jake was friendly, knowledgeable and great at guiding me through the steps, but I was able to do almost everything myself so I really felt like I was the one building. "

Adele Wells reviewed: Make your own Coffee Table

"Had a fantastic day, very friendly, patient and welcoming host. Great course, definitely worth doing, learned about every tool and equipment used. Brought home a beautiful little oak coffee table. Thank you for a brilliant day :) "

Beverley Sommerville reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Aint wood turning Fab!!!!!! I had a great time with Jake @thompsonswood A full day of learning and understanding Lathe turning, it was great to learn new skills…..loved it so much am looking to invest in a lathe of my own!!!! I can’t recommend Jake enough very patient, kind and generous with his knowledge and teachings….. and makes a fab cuppa, what’s not to like.……worth every penny. "

Alison Gordon reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"Hugely enjoyed this one day course. Jake is a fantastic teacher, very knowledgeable and positive, taking time to explain each element. He is also great fun! From someone with no experience of woodworking whatsoever, to have made a table within a day is 🤯. I could not recommend Jake or this course more highly. Thanks so much Jake x"

Andrew B reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Brilliant! Jake is such a knowledgeable, experienced and practical instructor with the perfect balance between demonstrating and letting you learn for yourself. I would recommend this wood turning course to anyone wishing to have a go for the first time. I certainly hope to be going back to try one of Jake’s other courses - it was so much fun."

Toby reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"What a great experience, my wife bought me this woodworking experience as a gift and I could not be happier. Jake is an absolute star and made me feel comfortable in his workshop straight away. I've learnt so much yesterday about the skills of woodworking and had a great time doing it, plus I get to go home with a beautiful coffee table we'd made."

Guy reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"This was a really excellent course. Jake is a lovely guy- friendly, helpful and informative. It would be a pleasure just spending the time in his company. He ensures you know what you are doing, and why. He explains what you are using, how it works, and how to use it safely. He is passionate about what he does, and his enthusiasm is infectious. And at the end of the day you get to take home something beautiful that you have created from a small pile of wood. I recommend unreservedly."

ROSE SCARBOROUGH reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Jake was fantastic. We found him to be an excellent teacher. He is so encouraging and patient. I did this course with my old school friend and he was attentive and informative as we were both beginners. He paced the day well. We came away with two beautiful bowls. A wonderful day, would highly recommend. "

Alan Perry reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"A day full of things to learn, Jake is a very skilled woodworker and teacher who dedicates all of his attention and resources to his students. The attention to safety and teaching how to use the machines with as many demonstrations as needed to get the same results he would ask from himself while not cutting even 1% of the safety, Jake would not leave your side until he and you are confident and safe. The piece you will be building is planned but Jake leaves enough freedom and openings in the plan so each student can, and should, add their creative part to the piece which ends up with each student going home with a unique personalised piece. There is much more that I can write about this course, but I would let you discover by yourself as I did and enjoy every moment of it. "

Thompsons Wood responded:

"That has me welled up mate, thank you, that means so much. That's unbelievably kind x"

Andrew Dolan reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"What an amazing day! Jake is the most perfect teacher you could ask for. He brings a great energy, skill and expertise that sets you at ease and guides you to feel confident and create a spectacular bowl. I would recommend to anyone considering doing this but might be nervous to book with Jake, you are in safe hands and he will walk you through the whole experience. Love the bowl, the pen and the exceptional day. "

Rob reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Great course, had a good time learning some lathe turning techniques with Jake who brought a load of positive energy and instructed very well without being overbearing. Highly recommend this course, I had no prior experience and got on great."

Darren reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"What a fantastic day! I had never done any wood turning before, Jake was a great teacher, guiding me through the process. Came away with some new knowledge, a great looking cherry wood bowl and a big smile"

Zaid reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"Thoroghly enjoyed the course. Jake was friendly and knowledgable. Keen to teach at same time maintain safe envirenment. With jakes direction i managed to build and finish a beautiful oak table. Learned a lot of techniques. Many thanks jake for the experience."

Gareth reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"Had a great day doing the cabinetry for beginners course. Jake's got a great way of teaching and we had a decent laugh. Would reccomend this to anyone for a day and especially if you want to up your woodworking skills. The table has pride of place in the house now - just need an excuse to do some bowl turning next. Cheers"

george reviewed: Make your own Coffee Table

"Had a great day working on the table with Jake, and definitely feel more confident tackling projects by myself moving forward. The table is nice too! :D"

David Yea reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I enrolled on this course with some limited woodworking experience, but absolutely zero experience of wood lathe turning. On arrival, Jake immediately put me at ease and that relaxed environment continued throughout the day. Not only is Jake highly experienced, but has wonderfully calm persona, ideally suited to instructing people in a great skill, whilst operating potentially dangerous machinery and tools. I would highly recommend Jake's training courses."

Mike Barnes reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I came to this course with some historic school experience of wood turning. Jake was able to adapt to refreshing the skills needed whilst also adding new tips, ideas and skills. Great enjoyable day."