Thread: Clubs and Workshops

Hi vicsing, we (Perth Wood School) are in Welshpool, just 10 minutes drive from South Perth. Heck we even have most of the diploma students from the School of Wood using our workshops this year! Why not drop in some time and check out our workshop? We are there every day except Sunday as well as a couple of evenings a week.

PS: We also regularly host Fine Woodwokers Association WA meetings. The next one is Monday 13th October 7:00pm visitors welcome.

Originally Posted by vicsing@upnaway

Hi Everyone
I am relatively new to woodwork and am currently doing a woodwork coarse down in Dwellingup WA. Does anyone know of any woodies clubs/workshops somewhere near South Perth, that would suit a relative beginner.

I think there's a need for woodworking clubs around here. I used to be a member of a camera club, I imagine woodworkers' clubs could be run along similar lines. Objectives would be to promote working with wood.

Regular meetings, preferably at a fixed location.

Competitions: members submit their efforts for assessment by more experienced woodworkers (judging). Judges would (often/usually) be from elsewhere, and would also run some kind of talk/workshop.

Judges would have clear guidelines, assessing general workmanship, finish, use of materials, whatever experts (I an most certainly not one) consider key points. In the camera club, judges assessed composition, sharpness (focus), printing, special effects, probably more I've forgotten.Monochrome and colour were judged separately, and members were classified as A (experienced and capable) or B (but the judges did not know whether prints were done by an A or B grader)

Hold exhibitions (or participate in them). A stand at the Royal Show would be good.

Engage in joint activities such as special purchases (1 cubic metre of wood too much? get two or three and share them around),wood collecting safaris.

Restoration of hand tools.

Really, anything woody. Did I mention turning?

Good news Johncs, there is!

The Fine Wood Workers Association of WA. And no, it isn't a group of intimidating experts, just lots of friendly people that are really interested in working with wood.
The WA wood show was originally started by them. We meet every second Monday of each month. Regullarly at Perth Wood School in Welshpool (my place) but we've had some great meetings at all sorts of different places lately. Enormously informative. I've learned so much from being involved.

Why not come along to the next meeting on Monday 13th of October 7:00pm at Perth Wood School's rear workshop. 1/117 Ewing street Welshpool ( just off Welshpool road ) Visitors always welcome.

Originally Posted by Marginata

Good news Johncs, there is!

The Fine Wood Workers Association of WA. And no, it isn't a group of intimidating experts, just lots of friendly people that are really interested in working with wood.
The WA wood show was originally started by them. We meet every second Monday of each month. Regullarly at Perth Wood School in Welshpool (my place) but we've had some great meetings at all sorts of different places lately. Enormously informative. I've learned so much from being involved.

Why not come along to the next meeting on Monday 13th of October 7:00pm at Perth Wood School's rear workshop. 1/117 Ewing street Welshpool ( just off Welshpool road ) Visitors always welcome.

Well... thats just typical ...I mean not only do you have it in WELSHPOOL of all places... but at 7PM??? well thats shot that idea of mine right up the clacker in a rush eh!

An here I thought what a great idea... but considering its a 2 - 2 and a half hour cruise from here to WELSHPOOL then theres the half hour wherein I get lost since Ive no idea where WELSHPOOL is... so lets look at this I knock of at 5 - 5.30pm... 2 1/2 hours travel considering Im working the other side of Bunbury then another half hour spent lost so its now 8.30PM so lets say it finishes at what? 9 - 9.30?... so back here by what? ooooh 11PM just in time to get in a few short hours of snore time before getting up at 4 to start the day... yep city slickers never thunk of us country fellas

Well never mind eh? I will give yer a bit of a boost cause I reckon your a good bunch

Next meeting on Monday 13th of October 7:00pm at Perth Wood School's rear workshop. 1/117 Ewing street Welshpool ( just off Welshpool road )

Cheers
Shane

I knew about Fine Wood Workers Association of WA (its name had me a little confused, in chess circles "association" is the coordinating body for "chess clubs."), but as far as I can see it's the only one.

Shane really needs one in the Bunbury/Brunswick area, there's a few wordworkers in Mandurah I know of, half-a-dozen in the Midland/Kalamunda area.

Clubs need to be local, where the people are. Preferably, accessible by public transport.

Also, clubs need to meet on different nights: I am starting a TAFE course on Mondays later this month.

One club for WA doesn't cut the mustard, let's get some more.

Originally Posted by Johncs

One club for WA doesn't cut the mustard, let's get some more.

Totally agree John... and IF I was planning on staying here as I was last year... I would build a bigger shed and starting up a mens shed here

But Im not so Im not

BUT I totally agree with the need for more clubs... non specific woodworking so that more than one form of woodworking can be done and a co-op type setup would work best from my experience of clubs

Should be setup so that any with skills or different ways of doing things can teach or show others and that way each can gain a wider understanding and knowledge... tricks of the trade and quick jigs other methods etc... making things like hinges and locks from wood instead of using metal ones... a whole raft of different woodworking skills from veneering marquetry to lathe work to cabinet making stuff chairs toys etc... to resawing and milling.

Each being able to come and go as they can within a time frame that suits. Setting one up would probably be an issue shed tools timber costs etc couold be a problem unless theres grants available?

Anyway
Cheers
Shane

A club doesn't necessarily need a lot of machinery. In some cases, people might take their own so as to demonstrate something, others might use a video. Schools may be able to cooperate: I used to be a member of a chess club that met in a school. In fact, the woodworking class I'll be going to is in a school.

btw Shane, Thanks for the veneer. It will be a while before I'm good enough to use it, but it's there to dream about.

Thanks Guys
I will try to get allong to the next meeting on the 13th at Perth Wood School.

Vic?... going by your name I'll take it that its Vic... go for it mate!! The commeraderie in and of itself should be enough to inspire anyone let alone the passage of knowledge

John? Your welcome mate