Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking in Blackburn, Victoria, Australia | Special needs school

Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking

Locality: Blackburn, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 413 537 490

Address: 14 Cottage St 3130 Blackburn, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.mgfw.com.au

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• Special needs school

25.01.2022 During our long lockdown I have been tying to keep myself busy. Yesterday I spent a good deal of the day working on my sets of Botanical boxes. Thought I would make a quick video on how we peg the bottoms and tops into the body. This set is made from Tasmanian Black Heart Sassafrass. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

25.01.2022 This is a box of Susan Wraight’s Netsuke carving chisels. Each chisel has a different type of timber for a handle. One of Susan’s past students was kind enough to make these handles for her. You can just see ‘White Beech’ written on a chisel in the second photo. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

24.01.2022 I have owned this beautiful object for 16 years now. Without exception every time I look at it I always appreciate and admire its form and the skilled craftsmanship that produced it. In particular its handles. Stunning they are. I purchased it from a bric-a-brac store in western Massachusetts. It is a cherished object. Can anyone out there tell me anything about the PS stamped on the bottom? #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

23.01.2022 Three different approaches to the same type of object. The first one was made in Japan and is one of my favourite objects. We use it as a sugar bowl and it is made from Japanese Cedar and Cherry bark strips. The second one is a typical Shaker box made here at the Guild from US Cherry. The third one is one that I have designed and still developing made from Tasmanian Black Heart Sassafras. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

23.01.2022 A rather wonderful chair made at the Guild a number of years back. Unfortunately I have forgotten who made it. If you read this post please let me know and I shall add you in. It was made from US Oak. Its a great looking object. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

23.01.2022 We are still in lockdown in Melbourne. I am luck enough to have a little workshop downstairs in the garage. A few days ago I turned some small ebony drawer pulls for two new tool cabinets being installed at the Guild. I cant believe how long these videos take!!! There will be a short part two tomorrow. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

23.01.2022 A sublime example of the incredible work of Susan Wraight. She brought this in yesterday to the course she is conducting at the Guild. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

22.01.2022 We are still in lockdown in Melbourne and luckily for me I have a small workshop at home. A few days ago I turned these little drawer pulls in ebony for two new tool cabinets being installed at the Guild. I cant believe how long these videos take!!!! There will be a second much shorter video to round it off tomorrow. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

22.01.2022 Pam made this lovely Keepsake Box at the Guild in our old workshop. Hi Pam. Hope you are doing ok. Definitely an heirloom. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

22.01.2022 Tim finished this chest about five years ago at the Guild. Hi Tim! It was a 14 year quest that had lots of stops and starts so he is understandably very happy to have had it finished. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

22.01.2022 I made quite a few of these bench seats for Supernormal, a restaurant in the heart of Melbourne. I will never forget this job because my father passed away halfway through this commission and several wonderful people came to help me complete this job. I would not have been able to finish this if it were not for their help. Many thanks to Jeff, Jude, Naomi, Kenye, my wife Jacqueline and my two kids Sam and Tara. Made from Tasmanian Celerytop Pine and American Oak. Finished in Danish oil. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

21.01.2022 Vaughn made this beautiful side table in Jarrah and salvaged Mountain Ash. The two drawer fronts are book-matched with one lower natural edge. This was the key to making this a really special piece. The lower natural edge is also the drawer pull. The top has slightly curved ends with a matching bevel. Hope you are well Vaughn. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

21.01.2022 Matt Stonehouse @steamandlumber made this Record Cabinet several years ago at the Guild with some salvaged Elm. Credit to Matt for placing an open and what seems to be a delicate knot in such a prominent position. This feature has very much helped in creating something special and unique. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

20.01.2022 Sorry folks. I have had a bit of trouble loading this video. Just a brief insight into the turning of a bowl I made several days ago. Hope you enjoy it. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

19.01.2022 Daniel Varricchio’s classic North Bennet Street School mallet in Claret Ash and Elm. We have made a lot of them here over the years. A much loved project. The mallet head is specifically made this way with the growth rings radiating outward to reduce wear and tear. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

18.01.2022 Thank you the City of Whitehorse for helping us get back on our feet!

18.01.2022 Bev has started her next project and has decided to buy this stunning elm board salvaged from The Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne. Even more special in my opinion, is the hole on the side facing the camera which is where we extracted a series of old fixings that used to hold up an old Botanic sign depicting the species and origin. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

17.01.2022 Diana Heatherich made this amazing table two years ago at the Guild using some spectacular unsteamed Walnut bought from Irion Lumber in Pennsylvania USA. @irionlumber ( My favourite timber yard) The top is made from two book-matched boards each measuring about 2400mm x 550mm. In the first photo I have just highlighted the grain with methylated spirits. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

17.01.2022 A bed that I made several years ago for my niece. I used figured Maple that I bought from Irion Lumber @irionlumber in Pennsylvania and shipped back to Australia. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

17.01.2022 Rob Eden made these two wonderful bedside tables about 6 years ago now at the Guild. Made from Walnut and Zebrano. Finished with Shellac. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

15.01.2022 A number of years ago my family and I traveled to Japan for a well earned holiday. On the recommendation of Fred @fre.4 , the Guilds full-time Artist in Residence, we went to a stunning island called Naoshima, Japan. In the 90,s my wife and I lived in Japan for 8 years and to this day Naoshima still represents one of the best places we have been to in Japan. Essentially its a small island dedicated to art and architecture. This photo was taken in Benesse Art Space. @benesse_artsite One of the must see locations on the island. The room is part of the toilet block. This gives you an idea of the extraordinary lengths they have gone to in creating beautiful spaces. No veneer here. Only solid timber has been used on this simple but majestic bench seat. That is my son sitting at the end. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

15.01.2022 Yesterday I turned this bowl in Camphor Laurel that was salvaged before the second lockdown from the Royal Melbourne Botanical Gardens. This timbers wonderful scent is still permeating throughout the workshop and even into the house. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

15.01.2022 When we are milling logs the spare mill blades are kept tightly packed and are a little difficult to retrieve and then release as there is a lot of tension when packed this way. However it is a hell of a lot of fun once it is released. One of my favourite sounds. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

15.01.2022 Peter Braden completed this wonderful piece a few years ago. American un-steamed Walnut. I really like the proportions of this piece and particularly the turned door pulls. A beautiful subtle detail. As we are still in lockdown I am just highlighting a few of these older pieces. Hi Peter. Can any of our friends in the USA tell us why they steam Walnut? #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

14.01.2022 A shot of some of the details of a sideboard I made about four years ago. Mahogany and curly Maple. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

14.01.2022 Leigh carved this stunning piece at the Guild 5 years ago from Australian Cedar. Leighs paying homage to a Canadian Artist, the late and great Bill Reid. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

14.01.2022 Please turn your sound on! After nearly 4 months of being closed due to Covid lockdown #2 we are now delighted to be back. For me one word describes this moment... Community! Welcome back everyone. Your return represents the soul of the school.

13.01.2022 This is the door handle to Supernormal restaurant in Melbourne that I made from Acacia Carneorum. I think door handles are wonderful opportunities to create an impression as to whats inside. A stunning purple timber that goes a deep brown with age. The inside handle is an artists representation of the outside handle made from resin. I havent been to this restaurant for a long time and are interested in how the handle has weathered. I am pretty sure none of the purple colour has lasted this long. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

13.01.2022 Eleni made this unique table at the Guild a number of years ago. Made from one of Australias most sublime timbers-Huon Pine. In this photo you can see Eleni and Sim put the last couple of buffs into the spectacular top that is full of lustre. The next two are highlighting the complex under structure. A double set of long aprons and a leg structure that really and truely had me scratching my head for a solution. What I came up with was a set of aprons that were cross laminated with 2mm veneers forming a much stronger structure. Everything else was made from solid Huon. An aromatic timber that was over exploited for nearly 200 years. The supply is more closely controlled nowadays and is available. A very very slow growing timber. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

12.01.2022 This was a joint we came up with to resolve an issue concerning a complex sideboard. This was the joint between the leg and long apron. After gluing up we pinned it from behind the mitre. It was being made by Paris Brunton a few years back. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

12.01.2022 It is such an honour to give this beautiful tree a new lease on life!

12.01.2022 Susan Wright’s Netsuke Course starts its 3rd day today and so far it has been just brilliant. Today she brought in a lovely example of the four stages of development she tends to follow. From the left! 1. A plasticine model of the proposed Netsuke. 2. Bandsaw the waste. 3. Rough carving utilising mostly a rotary carving tool. 4. Detailed work using mostly hand tools and abrasive paper. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

11.01.2022 Some of the joinery we have been working on at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne. We are there today and tomorrow and on Sunday this week. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

10.01.2022 Pascale, affectionately known at the Guild as the Fairy Godmother, made this beautiful box at our old workshop. The two black ends are ebonized poplar and the section in the middle is Australian Beefwood. Beefwood has a very waxy feel to it and is impossible to sand. Sand paper clogs up immediately so any Beefwood must usually be finished with an edge tool. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

10.01.2022 A fun job I did for a client about 7 years ago. These were to be used to display products for sale. 12 boxes with 6 different types of joints. Through dovetails, half lapped dovetails, finger joints, pined finger joints, keyed mitre joints and angled keyed mitre joints. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

10.01.2022 An old shot of Lees creative picture frame made from Beefwood. She happened to be using an HNT Gordon shoulder plane to rebate the frame. Beautiful use of a natural timber edge. Hi Lee. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

10.01.2022 This bench was made by Jane a few years ago at the Guild using Elm savaged from Melbourne. Jane has been a Student at the Guild since the beginning, all 12 years and in fact was in my class at another school 15 years ago. She is the #1 ticket holder. She attends our Wednesday morning open class. We are still in lockdown and miss Jane and all our other wonderful students a lot. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

09.01.2022 If anyone has been to Hobart airport in Tasmania you probably would have seen these striking bench seats. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

07.01.2022 This is Jon @tasforestrecovery demonstrating a spill plane back in 2016. Back in the old days before matches they used to use these wonderful curly shavings to take a flame from the fireplace to light candles, lamps, pipes etc. A beautiful thing. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

06.01.2022 Oliver were Americas premier woodworking machinery company many years back. This pattern makers lathe is no exception. Direct drive and beautifully balanced. Built in the 70s I think. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

06.01.2022 From our photo vault, Guillaume and Eddie (http://www.nouveaubisgrove.com.au/), our French polishing instructor inspecting a French polished blackwood top. That was Guillaumes first attempt at French polishing and I think he did a brilliant job. This was back at the old workshop. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

06.01.2022 Part 2 of turning a few drawer pulls. I think this one is pretty self explanatory. I always have through tenons when making drawer or door pulls. Its a bit stronger and it highlights the fact that these things are hand made. At the back of each drawer where the drawer pull pokes through, faceted ends also emphasise that it is hand made and highlights something that would otherwise go unnoticed. A tiny detail that I think helps greatly in highlighting ones tenet. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

04.01.2022 Two iconic chairs whose heritage is worlds apart. The one on the left was made at the Guild by Frank a number of years ago. Hi Frank. Its a copy of a well known Charles Rennie MacIntosh chair in Tasmanian Myrtle that Frank actually measured right here in Melbourne at the National Gallery of Victorias storage facility. The one on the left in Maple is designed and made by Fred @fre.4 who is one of our Artists in Residence. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

03.01.2022 This was a joint I developed for a commission I did several years ago. This is a stretcher joined to a leg of a sideboard. Honduras Mahogany. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

01.01.2022 A few days again Rick brought in his finished Katana and Wakizashi stand made from Elm and Jarrah. The top Katana dates from the Second World War but the bottom Wakizashi dates from between 1661 and 1673 and was made by Yoshimasa from the Bushu ju School. Quite incredible! Beautiful job Rick. Rick attends our Wednesday evening open course. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade

01.01.2022 This is Adriano cross stitching a crack down the middle of this table top. It stops the board from braking apart any further. Adriano has been attending the Guild for nearly 8 years and it an integral part of our Tuesday morning class. Hi Adriano. Hope you are doing ok. #woodwork #madeinmelbourne #handmade