Green Wood Courses & Retreats

After a short introduction and a health and safety briefing, we will dive into the essential topic of Tool Care. Understanding your tools and knowing how to care for them is what sets you apart from the uninitiated and the amateur woodworker.

As the saying goes, "A bad tradesman blames his tools." However, the true mantra should be, "A bad tradesperson doesn’t know how to look after their tools." With our expert guidance, you will learn the best practices for maintaining and sharpening your tools, ensuring they are always in top condition.

By honing your tool care skills, you will achieve a consistent professional finish every time you work. Elevate your craftsmanship and set yourself apart in your field. Join us for this invaluable experience and unlock the potential of your tools!

Choosing the right timber involves more than just aesthetics; it's crucial to select the best type for your project.

Keep these key factors in mind:

· Purpose: What are you aiming to create?

· Intended Use: Is it for indoor or outdoor applications?

· Final Location: Where will it be used?

These factors are essential for choosing timber with the right characteristics to ensure your project is both durable and strong.

Are you prepared to advance your timber framing skills? Setting up your timber frame project correctly is crucial for achieving precise marking and cutting. Even minor misalignments can result in significant errors. Whether you are an expert or a novice, mastering timber layout is essential for attaining accuracy in your work.

In the UK, the traditional scribe rule technique is the standard for timber framing. This process requires the careful "laying up" of timbers in relation to one another, ensuring that every joint aligns perfectly. This crucial step lays the foundation for creating a strong and aesthetically pleasing structure.

The Mortice and Tenon joint—the quintessential joint used in this esteemed craft. At its most basic level, the mortice is a slot cut into one timber, while the tenon is a tongue shaped in another. This straightforward yet powerful method serves as the foundation for robust, lasting constructions that endure the passage of time. Once assembled, the Mortice and Tenon joint is held together with a handmade oak peg, ensuring that your work of art will last for hundreds of years. Imagine the stories your creations will tell as they age gracefully over the decades.

Are you ready to elevate your Timber frame projects? Navigating the myriad of choices can often be overwhelming. Should you opt for freshly sawn or planed timber? Is a sanded finish preferable over a sandblasted texture? And when it comes to those finishing details, would a stopped chamfer be ideal or is it better to simply ease the arris?

We will delve into these questions and more during our upcoming course, tailored to equip you with the knowledge necessary to make the best decisions for your projects.

The anticipated day has arrived, signalling the conclusion of your planning and efforts. With excitement building all week, we are eager to watch the frame raise, transforming your vision into a reality.

Frame raising is a streamlined process. You will learn to follow a clear sequence, beginning with the sole plates and progressing to the posts, wall plates, and then the roof components if there are any.

Initially, we will secure the joints with framing pins for stability. Once everything is aligned, we will peg the joints, finalising the structure.

We are excited to celebrate this significant occasion with you marked with the "Topping out" ceremony and the completion of your training. For now.