Fine Woodworking courses at Newstead Wood School
Fun and simple, making these boxes, introduces students to the bandsaw and hand tools. A great opportunity for those interested seeing what Newstead Wood School is all about whilst making their very own box.
1 Day
$250
6 places available
Next Course
September 11th, 2026
What to expect;
A fun day in the workshop, beginning with explanation and demonstration of the ten steps in making a bandsaw box. Then following with the opportunity to explore the possibilities for your own work, back and forth between the bandsaw and your workbench.
Learning Outcomes;
Wood selection - identifying wood species and selecting suitable material for making Bandsaw Boxes.
Laying and marking out - how to plan your work with simple marking out to assure the future steps in the process are seamless.
Bandsaw operation - safe and accurate use of the bandsaw, both for straight cuts, curved cuts and angled cuts.
Gluing Up - Stress free gluing up using PVA Adhesives.
Refinement with Hand Tools - using tools such as planes, spokeshaves, scrapers, files, rasps and knives to refine your work.
Decoration - using tools such as carving chisels and knives to add texture and milk paint to decorate your bandsaw box.
September 11th 2026
$250
5 places left
An enjoyable and accessible way to begin your woodworking, this 3 day course begins with splitting billets from a log. These billets are then shaped and refined using a draw knife and shaving horse before being fitted to a solid wood seat. A meshing of two complimentary woodworking styles, Fine Woodworking and Green Woodworking.
3 Days
$550
4 places available
Next Courses
October 7th - 9th, 2026
What to expect;
A hands on experience, beginning outside learning to split and shape ‘green’ billets of wood into stool legs. Then into the workshop working with seasoned wood for the seat of your stool. A 3 day immersion at Newstead Wood School, perfect for anyone aspiring to gain more understanding of how wood behaves and how to work with it.
Learning outcomes;
Stool ergonomics - how do form and function affect one another and influence our design decisions.
Riven wood - What is it? Why is it useful? And how to split useable pieces from a log.
Wood science - Learning why and how wood moves and how to allow for shrinkage, expansion relevant to the parts of a stool.
Making with hand tools - Learn to safely and accurately use tools such as an axe, drawknife, spokeshave, auger drill, plane and hand saw whilst making a three or four legged stool.
October 7th, 8th & 9th 2026
$550
5 places left
Often referred to as “Krenov” Planes, named after their champion James Krenov, these simple wooden planes are a pleasure to both make and use.
“For a certain kind of craftsman a plane can be more than a tool. It can be a beautiful instrument, a joy to use.” – James Krenov, The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking, 1977
2 Days
$480.00
6 places available
Next course;
November 5th & 6th 2026
What to expect;
Starting with a wooden blank, students will be guided through the steps in making their very own wooden plane. Using the bandsaw to saw the plane body, then hand tools and the drill press to construct the plane. Whilst the glue is curing sharpening your blade will introduce you to the fundamentals of grinding, honing and polishing an edge. Let the shavings fly!
Learning outcomes;
Planes - what are they and how do they work?
Wood identification, selection and arrangement
Laying and marking out
Safe and accurate use of the bandsaw
Assembly using dowels
Gluing up - stress free and accurately
Shaping - shaping your plane to suit your hands using hand tools
November 5th & 6th 2026
$480
4 places left
The distinctive and timeless style of shaker furniture has left a lasting impact on the furniture making landscape. Starting with rough sawn wood learn how to safely and accurately machine the pieces for a shaker style shelf. Then using a routers to cut sliding dovetail joinery.
A common and versatile power tool, the router has its place in the world of fine woodworking. Used both as a hand-held device and upside down as a router table, this course teaches students safe and accurate router operations, including slot cutting and copy routing.
5 Days
$1,200
4 places available
Next Course;
September 14th - 18th 2026
What to expect
A combination of hand tool and power tool woodworking, a great course for those looking to expand their woodworking knowledge in design, machine use and hand tool competence.
Learning Outcomes;
Wood selection
Machining processes
Routers - used both hand held and table mounted
Hand tool woodworking - sharpening, tool selection and adding detail
September 14th - 18th
$1,200
4 places left
Ever dreamt of making dovetail joinery, well this is your chance. A 10 day immersion into laying out, cutting and assembling dovetail joints.
10 days
$2,400
4 places only
Next courses;
October 19th - 30th 2026
March 22nd - April 2nd 2027
What to expect
Learning outcomes;
Wood Machining -
Laying & Marking Out -
Hand cutting dovetail joints using the handsaw, coping saw and chisels
March 22nd - April 2nd 2027
$2,400
6 places left
Flitch to Furniture
6 week Full -Time Furniture Making Course
Spring 2027
Register your interest here
A Cabinet Maker’s Notebook, by James Krenov was published in 1976 and gave solace to woodworkers around the world. These inspiring reflections from a solitary woodworker continue to inspire craftspeople to this day.
Now its your turn. Join Krenovian’s John Shaw and David Fleming at Newstead Wood School for a two week introduction to cabinet making with solid wood. 20 immersive days of fine woodworking with a sensitive, thoughtful and gentle approach.
4 weeks
$3,900
4 places available
Next Course;
April 12th - May 7th 2027
April 12th - May 7th 2027
$3,900
6 places left