Practical work and student projects
There are three core practical elements to our cabinet making course: students are required to make at least two original pieces and to professionally restore three pieces of furniture. They are also free to undertake their own person projects in whichever area most interests them.
Original Pieces
The two original pieces are assessed internally, contribute to the final grade and are displayed at the end of the year public Open Day. Personal projects do not count towards a grade but are also displayed (for sale if the student wishes) at this Open Day.
Project 1 – Solid Wood
Of the two original pieces each student makes, the first will be a piece in solid wood. It can be contemporary or traditional in style and will incorporate many of their new woodworking skills, including:
- Timber identification
- Setting out, sawing and marking
- Joints – rubbed, mortice and tenon, dovetail, mitre, scarfed
- Basic woodturning, carving and wood bending
Project 2 – Applied Advanced Techniques
The second original piece of furniture will incorporate techniques learnt in the second term such as:
- Veneers, stringing, banding – including oyster work
- Brass, ivory and Mother of Pearl inlay
- Marquetry and parquetry
- Windsor chair making
Furniture Restoration
The restoration projects are completed for real clients and assessed by an external restoration expert. Each student will complete three restoration pieces and have the option of making an original carved and gilded mirror using techniques taught in the third term, such as:
- Finishing and polishing – including planning, scraping, sanding, distressing, staining, bleaching, fading and graining
- Gilding
- Metal Work – including lacquering, burnishing, polishing and distressing
- Glass – including making stained glass panel
Read more about furniture restoration.
Personal Projects
Student are required to manage their own time during the course. This means they are expected to work to tight deadlines for the assessed elements of the course but this also means that they are free to pursue their own interests and projects. Some students in the past have managed their time so well that they have even managed to accept and build paid commissions during the course (though this is not particularly common).