This intensive three-week course is designed for intermediate woodworkers who want to deepen their understanding of chair design and construction through the making of a sophisticated, prescribed chair.
The chair design is by Ben Grant and addresses foundational chair design principles, as well as a range of advanced woodworking techniques. By the end of the three weeks, students will have gone through the chair making process and gained a significantly expanded skill set applicable to high-level furniture making.
“Most woodworkers are both fascinated with and in awe of chairmaking. Chairs are seen as the pinnacle of the woodworker’s art and impossibly complex to make.”
Jeff Miller, Chairmaking & Design, 2006
Whilst no one chair can cover all the approaches to chair making, this course covers many of the major challenges associated with chairs. Students will make a pre-designed full-size chair in 15 days and in so doing, experience multiple stages of chair design and construction.
Course content:
Chair design fundamentals
Reading and understanding drawings
Material selection
Coopering compound curves
Shaping and profiling complex parts
Batch processing multiple components for accuracy and efficiency
Hand cut & machine made mortice & tenon joinery
Understanding joint selection in relation to chair strength and durability
Designing and building safe, effective jigs for large machines
Using jigs to increase accuracy, repeatability, and safety
Planning and executing complex glue-ups
Surface preparation and finishing
Course Dates
17th August—4th Sept 2026
Course Fee
$2650 including all materials.
Tutor
Ben Grant
If you require any further information or would like to enrol, please complete the form below or call (03) 545 2674.
“The course exceeded my expectations in every way. ”