Anselm's Angle

Students tell me that one of the highlights of our professional course is my daily lecture. I love sharing my experiences about wood, furniture and life just as much as I love everything about the making and design of furniture.

 

In this regular news section I will share some of the knowledge I have learned over the last three decades – from the best glue in the business to how to avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous manufacturers. And please feel free to send me your woodworking tips, or to ask for advice. My staff and I will do our best to help – info@chippendale.co.uk

Top Tool

Our school is always evolving. Each intake of students brings with them a new round of creativity and ideas and someone is always discovering a new tool or technique. But for me, there is one tool that no serious woodworker can do without and that is the Festool Domino DF500 jointer.

This powerful tool is particularly helpful for making kitchens – which are always a useful money earner. Check it out on www.festool.co.uk.

 

Telling your story

I have learned a lot since I set up this school in 1985 – and I am still learning. One of the most important lessons I learned early on in my career is that all businesses, big or small, need to spend time, and sometimes, money on public relations.

 

I know that for lots of people PR is almost a dirty word, but trust me, if you rely on word of mouth to spread the word about your business, you will stop trading within the first three years.

 

You don’t need to spend money on an expensive PR consultant.

 

Make friends with your local newspaper and radio station. Send them articles, write to the letters page, offer yourself as an expert on wood and furniture making. Build a network of local decision makers, invite them to your workshop for a spot of lunch, hold an open day once a year, invite the local school to spend a day learning how to make a small item. Everybody you meet has the potential to be an ambassador for your business, so make lots of contacts.

 

The best glue in the world

Captain Tolley’s creeping crack cure is my secret ingredient for first class restoration work. This cult product is by far the best thing for repairing veneers and wood joints. It was originally developed for use on boats, so it is watertight. I wouldn’t be without it. www.captaintolley.com