Training Courses

This course is designed for the very beginner who wants to learn basic woodworking skills. It consists of 2 modules of 4 hours each. The first module is devoted to the importance of accurate measurement. Issues such as “measure twice, cut once”, errors of parallax, inside and outside measurements are addressed in great detail. Various measuring tools are used and the appropriate setting for each is taught. The module concludes with a measuring exercise.

The rest of the course is spent making a salt box for the kitchen. In the process the students are exposed to the band saw, router, belt sander, disc sander, drill press and various hand tools. The student, with our teaching, will make the salt box from timber supplied from start to finish. This will include, laying out, cutting simple joints, shaping and sandpapering the wood to completion. A great deal of attention is given to personal safety. During the course lectures are given on wood stability, curing, construction techniques, joints and gluing.

The course fee includes all the material, use of tools and courses notes. No more than three persons will be admitted per course in order to ensure adequate hands on instruction. These courses take place at our workshops in Noordhoek at times to be arranged. See price table for further details.

Course Outline:
How to measure accurately
Setting Out
Cutting simple joints for salt box
Complete joints in salt box

Shaping pieces of beautiful timber to serve as household appliances and tools has occupied humans for thousands of years. As hunter gatherers we originally used stone tools and later the bronze and iron ages allowed the use of more sophisticated methods of shaping our domestic implements and weapons. For a few thousand years we have understood the principle of rotating a piece of wood between centers and shaping it to fulfill our purpose, much in the same way as a potter on a wheel moulds clay into useful utensils. These ancient skills are now being taught at My Grandpas Workshop.

Wood turning is creative and fulfilling – you can do your thing without being too concerned about exact measurements. Very much an expression of your inner artistic self! Items such as pepper grinders, candle sticks, bowls, platters, cups and vases are there for the making. The only limit is your own creativity!

The basic course is all about making a giant pepper grinder from African mahogany, ash or beech. We will teach you these skills over an eight hour course divided into two sessions, either mornings or afternoons. We take a maximum of two students per course and you will be taught basic woodturning, sand papering in the lathe, polishing and assembling the grinder.

The course fee includes the predrilled blank, grinding mechanism, use of tools and finishing materials. Watch the video for more of the action. Contact us on our website to book a place! See price table for further details.

The router is relatively simple machine which, when correctly used, has endless possible applications. This course is all about opening the door to its many uses. Some previous experience of woodwork would be preferable. The introduction touches on some theory and safety aspects. Routers are relatively simple tools. The problem many people experience are with the guidance systems that are needed to optimise the use of the machine. This course will teach the student how to use these guidance systems by making a spice rack almost entirely with the router. Through this exercise the student will learn the following useful skills:

• Cutting a housing joint
• Moulding
• Cutting a rebate
• Cutting lettering
• Cutting a circle
• Cutting a straight line

The course takes place over two mornings from 9 am to 1 pm and includes course notes, materials, use of routers and midmorning refreshments.

This programme is designed for those who have completed Course 1 and are seeking to enhance their skills with portable power tools and the industrial machine tools in our workshops. The course is all about making a piece of furniture sufficient to challenge the student’s ability and interests. The design of the furniture can be enhanced to include dove tail and finger joints, wood turning, steam wood bending, jig making, inlays and molding work. These courses are for one person at a time under the supervision of both the director, John Cowlin and his assistant Forward Mudzara.

The price and length of this course depends upon the scope and complexity of the project. All quotes will include the working drawings, cutting lists, cost of materials, instruction, use of tools and accessories. My Grandpas Workshop has a number of designs from which a suitable project can be selected. This does not exclude a project of your own – together we can evaluate what you have in mind and make it possible. The courses are normally for two hours at times to be arranged. See price table for further details.