Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip Woodwork for Beginners Level 1 and sign up for Woodwork for Beginners Level 2 or Woodwork Level 3 instead?
We almost always ask new learners to start with the level 1 course, even if they have done woodwork before. You will learn a lot of key skills on the level 1 course, in particular how to use a range of hand tools to work accurately and create effective joinery. These skills are then consolidated and built on through the more challenging and wide-ranging joinery of the level 2 course.
The very first thing we’ll show you on the level 1 course is how to saw a piece of timber in a way that gives you the best chance of a square cut. You may have sawn timber many times before, but there are still things to learn that improve your accuracy. You’ll then move on to learning how to mark out, saw, and chisel (using chipping and paring methods) a corner rebate joint flat and square. You’ll learn to use block planes for end grain and smoothing planes to finish your project.
Skipping level 1 usually means you that you won’t have the skills and practice under your belt to get the most out of your level 2 course. If you’re looking to save money, we would advise doing the level 1 course – it will give you an essential foundation of skills that you can then build on at home.
Our woodwork level 3 furniture making classes are suitable for people who already have hand tools woodwork skills and priority for spaces is given to people finishing our level 2 course.
If you have taken similar hand tools woodwork courses elsewhere or having read this information would still like to skip level 1 or 2, feel free to get in touch. We want to make sure you get the most out of your time with us and can discuss placing you in a mixed-level class so that you can progress through the levels at a pace that’s right for you. A quick chat over the phone gives us a better idea of your woodwork experience.
What happens if I miss a class?
We operate a system of catch-up classes for weekly woodwork class members. If you miss a class we do our best to offer you a space in an alternative class to make up the time. We run waiting lists for these catch-up spaces and when someone lets us know in advance that they will be absent from a class we can offer out their space to the person at the top of the waiting list. You can be on the waiting list for a maximum of 2 catch-up classes at any one time.
Please bear in mind that it is not guaranteed that you will be able to catch up classes. You will only be eligible to be added to the waiting list if you have let us know about your absence at least 24 hours in advance. The waiting lists can also often be lengthy and we can only offer out spaces where we know someone else will be absent, as our classes are usually fully booked. If you finish your course before we can offer you a catch-up space, we won’t be able to add dates to the end of your course.
If you would like to book a course and you know you will be unable to make certain dates, please do get in touch and we can advise you about whether it is possible to miss sessions and still take the course, and the likelihood of catch up spaces being available.
