Make a Stick Back Arm Chair: Traditional Hand-tool Chairmaking

Course overview

A thorough introduction to?the?essential?skills and techniques of traditional?chairmaking 

Inspired by the historic vernacular styles of Windsor chairs?found across Britain and Ireland, you will?make?and then take home?your own?stick-backed?armchair?to be used and cherished?for many years to come.? 

You will learn how to select?and dimension timber,?hand?plane, spokeshave?and?otherwise?shape components, accurately?drill compound angles?and?create wedged mortise?and tenon joints.? You will be taught the correct and safe use of a variety of hand tools, including?chisels, bench planes, saws,?rasps,?spokeshaves and rounding planes.?

Quiet and methodical by nature, hand-tool woodworking can be a very mindful?activity, and we hope that you will find this course relaxing, fun and informative.??By the end of the course, you will hopefully have the skills and confidence to pursue further woodworking projects and/or attend another of our classes.?? 

The course is led by qualified tutor?Ellis Stacey?and is held in the?fully-equipped?workshops of the renowned?Rycotewood?Furniture Centre. Places are limited to a maximum of?eight?learners, and all materials and equipment are provided.?? 

Perfect For? 

  • Those looking to improve existing skills? 
  • Anyone interested in traditional?craftsmanship?and?chairmaking techniques

 

The core skills taught during this course are:?? 

Foundational?techniques?including?accurate?measuring and marking, timber?selection?and preparation, safe tool handling and maintenance and basic joinery principles.? 

Hand?tool?techniques?using chisels, hand saws, bench planes,?spokeshaves, draw knives,?mallets,?hammers?and more.?? 

Specialised Skills?such as creating?round wedged mortise and tenon joints,?accurate?drilling,?wood finishing techniques, surface preparation and assembly methods and gluing up.?? 

Our experienced tutor will provide group demonstrations and individual instruction, guidance and mentoring within a supportive learning environment.

All tools, PPE?and materials are provided. Please wear sturdy closed-toe footwear and clothes you?don’t?mind getting covered in sawdust.?? 

On completion of the course, you will be ready to pursue your own DIY projects and/or progress to one of our?other?courses.? 

Course Starts in 208 Days

Tue 12 January 2027

Enrol now

Alternatively enrol by phone quoting OXAEL021EA

Meet the tutors

We want our learners to feel welcome, safe and at ease when attending our classes, especially if this is your first time attending an adult education class or if you're coming back to education after a break.
If you're interested in one of courses, meet our tutors first! You'll see they have similar passions and interests and, most importantly, the right qualifications to help you make the most of your time and money.

View all tutors

You may also like

View more courses