Thompsons Wood reviews

David reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Jake is an excellent knowledgeable teacher and a lovely guy. He has a very well equipped workshop. I enjoyed my day with him enormously and, with his expert guidance, I was able to produce a beautiful wooden bowl. I’d give him 6 stars if I could."

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Awww mate that's some kind words! Thank you, it was my pleasure, honestly great day and thank you for testing the new lathe out with me! "

Steve reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Truly fantastic day. Great set up. Amazing teacher. Knowledgeable and generous with that knowledge. Hopefully the start of a new pastime . Thanks Jake"

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thanks steve it was a pleasure to have you in the shop! And Happy birthday from katie and I 🥰"

Corinne reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I had a fantastic day ... and with zero experience I came away with a bowl (and a lid)! I'd not have thought it possible from a standing start and it is entirely down to Jake. He is a great tutor and provided the perfect mix of direction, encouragement, fun and technical info. It's a brilliant hands on course and I can definitely and wholeheartedly recommend it!"

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thank you for those lovely words, I really appreciate it, I'd be more than happy to come over to you to help you set up your lathe once you've got the space up and ready ❤️ "

Sue M reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I had a fabulous day with Jake, making a lidded wooden bowl on his lathe. It was a real pleasure to spend the day with Jake - he was very knowledgeable and was really good at explaining the steps I needed to follow. He was there if I needed him, but he also gave me space to get on with what I needed to do and make my own design decisions about my bowl. He was also a lovely person to chat to and spend time with. Thanks Jake!"

Zak Ferguson-Young reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I had such a good day doing this turning course. Jake was generous with his time, knowledge and materials helping me to make a beautiful bowl. The day was relaxed and fun. I spent the whole next day showing everyone what I made. I would 100% recommend this course. I immediately went home to see if I could buy my own lathe! Thanks so much"

S Sheh reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"I decided to join Jake’s course having close to zero experience with woodworking, and had the best day which felt like a “mind reset”. Jake’s genuineness shows through his patience in teaching, his tailoring to individual needs and dedication to the craft. Thank you for holding my hand as I took enthusiastic toddler steps, taking extra time to go through tools unrelated to the project, too. I went home with a beautiful wooden bench- now a centrepiece within my humble abode, an affirmation to invest in the hobby, and the associated memories of joy from a day filled with deep conversations and hearty laughter."

Richard reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"It was superb. I had a great day. Nothing was too much trouble. "

Phil reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"This is our second visit to see Jake. He is amazing. My son made some fantastic presents for his teachers when he left school. All whilst gaining experience. We both really enjoyed the experience. We cannot recommend Jake enough and will definitely be keeping in touch"

Igor reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Had a great time doing a lathe turning workshop with Jake. He is a great teacher and instructor and an all round sound fella. He was very supportive and helpful and kept an eye on you but only stepped in when needed to, loved spending the day making a bowl and coming out with better than expected result. Would recommend doing a course with Jake to anyone who’s looking to work with wood. Mega day out."

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thank you for the lovely words mate 😊"

Kristina H reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I absolutely loved the beginner's course with Jake. He is such a reassuring and calm tutor who helped me create a bowl and lid that is so so much more than I could have ever imagined. It was such fun as well. Thanks so much."

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Kristina, it was a pleasure to work with you in the shop 😊"

J reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Jake was amazing. He accommodated our request to make bespoke items for presents. I am sure the receivers will be very touched to receive such personal gifts. Jake was extremely accommodating and was very good in explaining how to use the machinery and tools. We will definitely be keeping in touch and going on future courses with Jake. He is very professional, friendly and wants to impart his knowledge for people to enjoy the craft. "

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thank you very much, I'm very much looking forward to our next rendezvous! "

Steve Gough reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I would like to thank you Jake for an amazing day where I learnt so much and came away confident to start using my lathe. I went in to this course with no lathe experience however, I am practically minded. I have a lathe but wanted to understand how to start making things correctly from an expert and not from misguiding youtube videos.. Jake provided this the whole day I was there. We had plenty of laughs along the way which was great and I came away with confidence, a great deal of knowledge and two wonderful items made on the lathe. When you work out the cost of this course per hour against any other trade, you fully understand the great value for money the day is. I’m sure I will be back for more in the future and all that remains for me to say is thank you Jake. Appreciated!"

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thank you a million times over Steve, it was a lovely day and you did make some lovely pieces, be a pleasure to have you back whenever the feeling takes you! "

Viraaj Patel reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"Did this course with Jake on a peaceful Sunday. Jake was excellent right from the start with a warm welcoming smile and happy to just get stuck into the course straight away. He's such a knowledgeable guy and clearly loves what he does and it shows in how he delivers the course. We built an amazing coffee table and Jake explained all the various cuts and joints we would use, their purpose and how the specific tools are used for all the work. Overall it was an amazing, tiring, but extremely rewarding day and I would highly recommend to anyone with even a passing interest. Jake is a great instructor and such a lovely person that you will want to try your best and he will definitely get the best out of you. 5+ stars and definitely the best course I've been on so far."

Viraaj Patel reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Did this course with Jake on a peaceful Sunday. Jake was excellent right from the start with a warm welcoming smile and happy to just get stuck into the course straight away. He's such a knowledgeable guy and clearly loves what he does and it shows in how he delivers the course. We built an amazing coffee table and Jake explained all the various cuts and joints we would use, their purpose and how the specific tools are used for all the work. Overall it was an amazing, tiring, but extremely rewarding day and I would highly recommend to anyone with even a passing interest. Jake is a great instructor and such a lovely person that you will want to try your best and he will definitely get the best out of you. 5+ stars and definitely the best course I've been on so far."

Thompsons Wood responded:

"That's some incredible words there mate, thank you so much! It really does mean a lot to me that you take the time out to write these lovely things and about me too! 😊 so thanks a million and you did produce a well executed table, it won't fall apart anytime soon I can tell you that much! "

Mrs P reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"My husband came home so happy after attending this course. He is really proud of what he made and said Jake is the most amazing teacher plus a fun person to spend a day with. Jake was really responsive to messages when I was organising this too. All in all worth every penny! "

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Awww thank you so much! Appreciate the feedback ❤️"

Sue Sumner reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I had a fabulous day yesterday on the wood turning for beginners course. Jake is a good teacher, very knowledgeable, supportive and easy to get along with. I came away with a beautiful oak bowl and lid and also a ‘bog oak’ pencil that I am very proud of. I didn’t think that I could have completed to such a high standard on my first visit to a lathe! I am hooked now."

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thank you for the kind words sue, you're a natural, so easy peasy to teach in fairness 😄 thanks for using my services and leaving a lovely review! "

Dan reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Great day at Jake's workshop. Learned lots, picked up lots of tips and advice and created a beautiful oak bowl with purfling inlay, which was far beyond my expectations. Highly recommended. Top bloke."

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Cheers amigo, was great to have you in the shop! "

Simon Foster reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Wow! This was the word I used many times during the day, for so many reasons. I was a novice in the morning and returned home in the afternoon with a beautiful bowl and lid. The experience was excellent from start to finish and Jake is an exemplary teacher. He is knowledgeable, patient and easy going. This made learning fun. I would thoroughly recommend the course to anyone."

Sam Grundy reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"Jake was brilliant, full of wisdom and expertise. Friendly, patient, kind and generous with his time and knowledge. Was a real pleasure to spend the day with him. His teaching was excellent, and I came away feeling a great deal more confident and knowledgeable. His workshop, tools, materials and machinery are top class. I'm super proud with the table I took away with me, something I'll keep for life! Honestly, the experience was well worth the cost and I'd recommend wholeheartedly. Thanks Jake!"

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Wow, they're some kind words mate, thank you, choked up a bit there fella 😄 "

D O'Reilly reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I have been interested in woodturning for a while now and could not have wished for a better course. Jake was clearly an expert and delivered the course in a fun and friendly way. At the end of the day I had a beautiful English Oak bowl with an ash lid and bog oak handle. I will definitely be back for another course in the future. I will"

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thanks Dan, it was a pleasure to have you in the shop mate! "

Ste N reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I had a great day on this course. Jake was really good at teaching, and with it being a one-to-one course, he was always at hand to make sure you did things safely and didn’t ruin your work. Using the lathe was great fun and a great experience. A bonus was that I had a beautiful bowl at the end of the day which was far more professional than I had ever imagined I would be able to achieve. If you are thinking about doing this course, I would say go for it! "

Thompsons Wood responded:

"Thank you kindly, lovely words mate, thank you "

Jazz reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Had a great time making my bowl with a lid yesterday. Jake was friendly and a good teacher, I learnt a lot and had a great day. Would recommend this course! "

Brenda Williams reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"24 hours on and I’m still buzzing from the workshop with Jake yesterday! I had a fantastic day, Jake is an excellent teacher, explains everything clearly and patiently, and with his help and guidance I made a bowl and lid I’m incredibly proud of. The day flew by with good humour and coffee and I have no hesitation in recommending Jake’s workshops 100%. "

FX reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Amazing time spent on the lathe with Jake. He knows his craft and he is very good at teaching. Clearly a passionate individual and that makes the experience all the more interresting. Never touched a lathe before but still went home with a nice bowl and a surprise."

Rob Snape reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"I had such an amazing day learning how to turn my first bowl! Jake is an excellent and really knowledgeable teacher, and all-round nice guy to boot! As well as learning a multitude of skills you are guaranteed to have a good chat too. Family and friends are blown away that I made the bowl I came away with. I can't wait to take away this knowledge to use in my own future projects. Don't hesitate to book, you will have a fantastic day! Thanks Jake!"