Ben Tindall
CFW
Ben Tindall is a furniture maker based in Whakatū, Nelson, whose work is driven by a fascination with wood and a deep appreciation for the time-honoured techniques of the craft. He enjoys working with both hand tools and machinery to create bespoke furniture, with a particular focus on combining beauty, functionality and thoughtful construction.
Ben’s furniture-making journey began as a joiner, completing his apprenticeship through BCITO before discovering the work and writing of James Krenov. Inspired to pursue furniture making more deeply, he joined the Centre for Fine Woodworking’s full-time Furniture Makers’ Programme in 2022. In 2023, his Embrace cabinet was selected for Australian Wood Review’s Top 100 Maker of the Year awards, recognising his emerging voice as a furniture maker.
Today, Ben continues to make furniture in Nelson while also running a shared makers’ space where woodworkers can come together to build their own pieces in a well-equipped workshop environment. He is passionate about creating furniture that can be enjoyed for generations and about fostering a community where makers can learn, share knowledge and develop their craft. Sustainability is also an important part of his practice, with Ben seeking to use reclaimed materials wherever possible and responsibly sourced timber when new material is required.
For more about Ben Tindall, his furniture, making practice, and shared makers’ space, visit his instagram below.
