1 Day Stool Making Workshop

Spend a full day in the woodland workshop shaping a simple, sturdy three-leg stool from green ash and seasoned hardwood.
We’ll begin by choosing timber, then move through splitting, shaping and fitting, guided by hand tools alone. You’ll learn the feel of the drawknife and spokeshave, how to drill clean, accurate angles, and how to wedge and finish your stool so it will stand steady for years to come.
The pace is gentle, the setting informal, and there’s time for tea, conversation, and quiet concentration among the trees.
By the end of the day you’ll carry home a finished piece - honest, useful, and made entirely by your own hands.

Make & take home: a solid three-leg stool (seat in hardwood, legs from green ash) finished with natural oil/beeswax.

Who it’s for: total beginners to keen improvers - no prior woodworking needed.

What you’ll learn: selecting green wood; splitting and drying basics; shaping legs on a shavehorse with drawknife/spokeshave; drilling accurate compound angles; tapered tenons & wedges; seat shaping and smoothing; simple finishing and care.

Tools you’ll use: axe, drawknife, spokeshave, brace & bit, reamer/tenon cutter, rasps, planes, scrapers, mallet, clamps.

Format: step-by-step demos followed by guided making with plenty of one-to-one help.

Group size: small (max 3) so everyone gets time and attention.

Duration: 1 full day (approx. 10:00–16:30, with breaks).

Location: Cornwall woodland workshop near Bodmin Moor (under cover; fresh air; rustic setup).

Included: all materials, tools, abrasives, finishes, hot drinks.

Bring: packed lunch, closed-toe shoes/boots, comfy work clothes you don’t mind getting dusty (layers recommended).

Safety: full briefing at the start; PPE provided; pace set to keep things calm and safe.

Accessibility: mostly standing work at benches/shavehorses; let me know any mobility needs and I’ll adapt.

Age: 16+ (under-18s with an adult).

Aftercare: how to keep your stool happy at home, plus simple repair tips.