The Natural Edge Wood Course, running this weekend (08-09 October), really is about the journey from tree trunk to furniture. So what better place to start than in the local woods. Second generation carpenter, Colin Ritchie, will take you through the forest, identifying the species that grow in Ireland, looking at their characteristics and explaining how different types of timber are suited to different uses.
How do get your tree trunk out of the forest? Colin will tell you how. Then it's time to convert that trunk to slabs of wood. We have a number of videos which show exactly what goes on in a saw mill. How do you know how thick to cut your slabs? Is the grain direction important? How do you choose which sections of the trunk to cut? By the end of the weekend, you will have the answers to these questions and more.
Freshly cut timber contains too much moisture to use immediately. As it dries, it shrinks. You don't want your piece of bespoke furniture to shrink or warp. So drying the timber is very important. Learn how to stack and store your timber for optimal drying. How long do you need to leave it? Does all timber have to be kiln-dried?
Having looked at how to source and prepare your timber, it will be time to get on with some making. The first piece of furniture you will tackle will be a simple stool. The techniques that you learn in this exercise can be adapted for making tables and chairs.
Colin will be on hand to demonstrate each step of the process and to give full guidance on the use of all tools.
There will be plenty of insider tips, showing techniques that will save you time and will ensure that any mistakes are ironed out before you start to cut up your beautiful slabs of wood. Using templates for irregularly shaped furniture is one such tip and eveyone will get to make their own templates of real window boards, counter tops and shelves.
There will be a tour of the Mud and Wood House, but not your average tour. Drawers will be opened, doors popped off hinges, tables turned upside-down and beds dismantled. Each of the timber elements in the house will be exaimined, literally from all angles.
Then it wil be time to make a natural edge wood shelf. Again, one-on-one guidance will be provided in the use of all tools so that you can achieve the best possible outcome. There are free off-cuts of timber available. However, there will also be some choicer samples of timber available for purchase if you want to make a high-quality shelf that can take pride of place in your own home.
Colin will be on hand to operate some of the larger equipment if you want to be extra ambitious with your project.
This course is suitable for beginners as well as those who have experience in working with wood.
There are still spaces available on the Natural Edge Wood Course this weekend (08-09 October). The cost is €160 (€145 student/unwaged). Each day runs from 10:00am to 5:30pm at the Mud and Wood House and includes big, hearty, hot lunches. Book now if you would like to join us.
Or email feile@mudandwood.com if you have any questions. Hopefully we will meet you here this weekend!
