Handtool Sharpening workshop

While most woodwork projects require a sharp tool for high quality results, hand tool sharpening is often seen as a mysterious or inscrutable art. In this course we will demystify the world of sharpening, including how to make and maintain a sharp edge, and teach students how to achieve one consistently and easily for their own woodworking tools.

The course will focus on sharpening a chisel by hand and a hand plane blade using a honing guide. High quality, hollow ground hybrid japanese chisels will be provided as part of the course from  Japanese Tools Australia which students will get to practise their sharpening and take home at the end of the day. 

Students will be taught about the pros and cons of using a variety of sharpening methods and media from high-end water cooled grinders to more affordable and nonetheless effective options such as oil stones.

Students are encouraged to bring in their own tools to sharpen and free time will be given at the end of the course to practise and work on your own tools with the provided equipment and media.

Appropriate tools to bring in include:

• Metal and timber planes such as block planes, smoothers (No.4), Jack (No.5), Jointer and scrub planes

• Router planes, rebate planes and combination planes

• Timber and metal spokeshaves

• Card scrapers

• Sloyd knives and hook knives

• Kitchen knives

• Hatchets

• Rasps

• Moulding planes

If you are planning on bringing in your own tool, particularly if it isn’t on the list, get in contact with us at Among the Trees so we can make sure we have everything ready for you.

If you don’t have any tools to bring
in, ones will be provided on which to practise.

This workshop is aimed at people with no experience with woodwork. It is open to anyone 13 years and over. Students between the ages of 13 and 15 require a guardian to attend with them (see Below)

The course is run using entirely hand tools so you need to be aware that there is an element of physicality involved. 

Information for booking students under 18:

 Among the Trees  is committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We care deeply about the children’s well-being and are committed to acting in their best interest at all times. You can read our full Child Safe Policy here: 

https://www.amongthetrees.com.au/terms/childsafety  

Among The Trees accepts students under 18 in two groups: 

Students 13-15 years of age must attend all courses with a parent or guardian. This parent or guardian must also purchase a place in the course and take part. One parent/guardian is able to attend with multiple students. 

Students 16-17 years of age may attend a course without a parent or guardian present. 

For all students under 18, the full name and contact information for parents and guardians must be provided when booking. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us.

Among the Trees is an ethical and sustainability based start-up for reclaimed timber located in Marrickville. Saving timber from demolitions or other discarded uses and making it available to the public through a retail timber shop and woodworking classes. Accessibility to wood doesn't just mean being wheelchair friendly (which we are), it also means helping customers understand how to use and source reclaimed timber. Our aim is to help empower individuals to have the confidence to undertake projects of their own by offering woodworking and craft beginners classes that are taught with simple and accessible tools and techniques. 

Timberyards and wood workshops can be intimidating sometimes and ATT prides itself on creating an inclusive and accessible space where anyone from architects and carpenters to people with no woodworking experience are able to come and access reclaimed timber and learn new skills.

Our workshop at Among The Trees is set up to be the perfect space to learn about hand tools, reclaimed timber, woodworking and crafts. We’ve been hard at work collecting, restoring and tuning all the tools required to learn woodworking, and a few extra ones as well.

All-in-all, everyone that is interested in reclaimed timber and making is welcome!