2 Full Days: 10am-5pm
Up to 8 Students
Suitable for All Levels
Learn to Make a Japanese Bench
Over two days you’ll make a Japanese-style bench, combining simple, elegant joinery with a practical, functional design. The frame is constructed using housing joints and dowelled screw joints, two classic joining techniques in traditional furniture making.
You’ll practise core hand skills including planing, chiselling, sawing, sanding and finishing, and learn how to shape timber with care and precision.
Suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to those wishing to refine their skills. All tools and materials are provided, and at the end you’ll take home a bench you’ve made yourself.
Dates & Times
Tools & Extras You Might Like
What You’ll Achieve
What You'll Receive
Continue Your Learning Experience at Home
We have created the perfect beginner’s toolkit so that you can continue your learning experience at home after the course finishes.
The toolkit includes:
- Set of Narex Chisels
- Shinwa Mitre Tri Square 20m
- Shinwa steel 150mm Ruler
- Japanese Ryoba Saw 240mm
- Woodworking Mallet
- Veritas Marking Gauge
- Japanese Combination Sharpening Stones
- Veritas Honing Guide
Price: £260
We are able to offer the kit at a discounted price through trade relationships.
Don’t see a date that suits you?
Don't worry, we release new course dates regularly.
If you don’t see a suitable date for this course, click Join the Waiting List to be alerted when spaces become available.
You can also Request a Bespoke Event to organise a private session with friends or colleagues on a date that suits you.
Emma Leslie
Emma will give you full support throughout the course imparting the skills, techniques and tips you need to leave with a beautiful piece of handmade furniture to treasure forever.
Testimonials
Hear from past students of the New School of Furniture Making.
Alexandra
"Amazing course, designed for people of all experiences. You get to do lots of things and use lots of tools/techniques, all helped by the fact that Emma is a fantastic and patient teacher. Tea and biscuits through out the course a lovely addition. Now I have a fantastic Japanese stool to go home with and I will definitely be back for another course or 3! Fully recommend!"
Clare
“I recently did the stool making workshop and absolutely loved it. The pace of the workshop was perfect, the group really friendly and I had a gorgeous stool to take home at the end of it. I’ll definitely be looking to book onto another course soon. Thank you ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”.
Yu Xin Y
"I did the weekend Japanese bench course with my partner recently and had such a great time. Emma is very skilled at her craft but also a great teacher, and clearly demonstrated step-by-step the fundamentals of sawing, chiselling, assembling and polishing. I came away with a newfound appreciation for furniture making and love that we got to bring our own benches home (Emma's design!) Worth every penny and would 10/10 recommend."
Rachael
“I’d never used a chisel before this course, and now I’m building furniture I actually want in my house. The tutor is patient, funny, and full of knowledge.”
