About

At My Grandpa’s Workshop, we seek to ensure that the human expertise acquired over thousands of years of making things in wood and metal, is not lost to modern computerised technology. Many people will be delighted when a small component of an engine or a piece of old furniture can still be handmade.

The home hobbyist can learn woodworking skills or find help with a tricky bit of machining. The boat or model builder can have a specialised fitting made to complete their project and the antique car restorer can have an out of production part crafted anew – all at My Grandpa’s Workshop, where customised craftmanship is our specialty.

John Cowlin is the proud grandfather of five beautiful grandchildren. Many years ago he too had a grandfather who was a wonderful craftsman – an exceptional woodworker and precision machinist. Standing today in John’s home in Cape Town is a magnificent grandfather’s clock built by his grandfather one hundred years ago which still keeps perfect time!

As a child John was taught by his grandfather and uncles how to shape wood and metals accurately, a skill he has developed and loved all his life. From an early age John has made furniture, boats, model aeroplanes, steam locomotives, tool and instruments.

Today John continues the tradition of his family of craftsmen and wants to share the knowledge he has acquired by teaching others, or making things for their use.