Syllabus
- Hand tool selection - new, old, tuning & sharpening
- Use of hand tools and accurate measuring
- Glues - different types, strength comparison and correct uses, PVA, animal, epoxy, urea-formaldehyde, contact, superglues, tinting glue lines ,adhesive tapes.
- Abrasives - different types and correct use
- Machinery, maintenance, identification, applications
- Health & Safety
- Hand power tools - routers, router tables, biscuit jointers, domino jointers, sander, drills
- Joints - cutting, assembly, identification, construction
- Templates,
- Jigs and small batch runs
- Drawing sketching, , working drawings, rods, CAD
- Cutting lists
- Ordering timber - costing & estimating waste
- Timber study - movement, moisture content, drying, defects and conversion
- External timber yard visit
- Veneering - selection, storage, preparation, hand and pressing, vacuum bag
- Laminating - cutting, thicknessing, invisible glue lines
- Curves - Steam bending theory, coopering, laminating
- Power carving
- Finishing - types, applications, polishing, oils, bleach, colouring, spraying
- Options - Welding, metal turning, Power carving, steam bending practical (time allowing)
Contact the Darling Collective to arrange payment by instalments.
A budget for tools should be allowed, also materials for your own projects. Materials are provided for small samples and test pieces.
About the course
Marc's studio is renowned for innovation & experimentation in the field of furniture design. His students are encouraged to mix media and push boundaries, this is not a course for those wishing to learn antique reproduction or restoration.
Prior experience is not required for either course but a genuine passion and willingness to learn is a prerequisite. An informal meeting is advised to discuss suitability before booking either course.
The length of the furniture making course is flexible, for most a 12 week or 40 week course is ideal. The 12 week cabinet making course concentrates on furniture making accuracy and hand skills. Full 12 week furniture making course syllabus click here. A couple of small projects and samples will be undertaken in this time. If time allows a piece of furniture may completed, but accuracy and skill is the main achievement to reach for, speed and productivity will come with experience.
External visits to timber yards are included on both furniture making courses to gain invaluable experience. At the first meeting the syllabus is discussed along with the student's options. It is then a bespoke course designed catering for the students needs. This way Marc is able to teach students of all abilities.
The courses are held at Marc's 'Robinson House Studio' where students will mix with bench rental users and see Marc Fish's award winning fine furniture being made. It could be the change your life needs, Marc specialises in training students that have retired or looking for a change of career. Do something exciting in 2010.
Marc Fish started teaching after identifying a need for high quality cabinet making tuition. Having gone down the usual City and Guilds route when he was training he is all too aware of large class numbers, uninspiring tutors and lack of personal attention. It is for this reason he personally trains only small groups of furniture making students.
He is also the only tutor in Sussex that has been awarded a coveted Guild Mark by The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. He has been awarded four Guild Marks by The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. In 2011 he was awarded the Claxton Stevens Award for the best guild mark issued in 2010.This makes Marc's studio one of only two in the UK running courses in furniture making who have been awarded this coveted title. Visiting lecturers include Richard Williams ofRichard Williams Furniture and Rod Wales of Wales and Wales.
Marc is a regular author for Furniture & Cabinet Making magazine and you can follow his how to articles and see how some of the award winning furniture was made. View articles here