Make a Dovetailed Step-up Stool

Course overview

A great introduction to traditional hand-tool woodworking and joinery, this entry-level course will provide you with the skills and techniques required to design and build an attractive and functional step stool from sustainably sourced hardwood.

Alongside the fundamental basics, our focus will be on creating accurate, strong and beautiful dovetail joints. 

This carpentry course is led by experienced and 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 twelve learners and all materials and equipment are provided.

This course runs term time only. 

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, mallets, hammers and more.

Specialised Skills: such as creating dovetail joints, wood finishing techniques, surface preparation and assembly methods and glueing up. 

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

Suitable for the complete beginner, novice or improver, you will learn the fundamentals of measuring and marking out components and joints, the safe use of a variety of hand tools (including chisels, saws, bench planes etc) and the basics of sanding and finishing timber. 

All tools and materials are provided.

Please wear stout closed footwear and clothes that 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 intermediate courses. 

Course Starts in 157 Days

Tue 23 September 2025

Enrol now

Alternatively enrol by phone quoting OXLLC04EA

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.

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