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14 Cottage St
Blackburn, VIC, 3130
Australia
0413 537 490
The Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking was founded by Alastair Boell in 2007. After graduating from the world renowned North Bennet Street School, Boston (USA) Alastair felt that there was a great need in Australia for an educational facility that focuses on traditional skills.
The Guild is committed to preserving and advancing craft traditions in furniture making. We are also committed to promoting a greater awareness and appreciation of
craftsmanship. In our classes we emphasize the skillful use of hand tools and power equipment and an informed use of appropriate materials. We are passionate about what we do and want to share information, ideas and skills with all our students young and old, from beginner to advanced.
Every Tuesday evening
$2200.00 AUD
27th January to 30th June 2026
(22 week course)
Presented by Alastair Boell
The ‘Shaker Nightstand’ course represents the perfect course for the beginner.
$2390.00 AUD
Tues 4th to Mon 10th November
From 9am to 5pm
(7 day course)
Presented by Jon Grant
This is the Melbourne Guild’s fifth Continuous Arm chair resulting from Peter Galbert’s teaching visit to Australia.
Every Tuesday evening
$1190.00 AUD
7th Oct to 16th Dec 2025
(11 week course)
Presented by Mike Blood
Guided by the principles of 'simplicity', 'craftsmanship', 'proportion' and 'material' (ie; the natural beauty of timber, we present to you our 11-week ‘Nakashima Inspired Coffee Table’ course. This course will start with an exciting opportunity to choose your own slab from a large collection of salvaged timbers at the Melbourne Guild of Fine Woodworking.
FULL
Stay tuned for next course in January 2026
Every Wednesday evening
$1030.00 AUD
6th August to 8th October 2025
(10 week course)
Presented by Lee Gratton
This elegant Natural Edged Bench offers a satisfying taste of chair making with the convenience of it being scheduled every Wednesday evening for a single term (10 week course).
$780.00 AUD
Every Monday evening
3rd Nov to 22nd Dec 2025
(8 week course)
Presented by Michael Ooi
In this 8-week Beginner’s course, you will make this stunningly elegant hexagonal Kumiko Box made from Walnut and Maple or Celery Top Pine. It is one of the prettiest pieces on offer and certainly packs a punch in terms of woodworking skills learnt in a short period of time.
$410 AUD (2025
Sunday 26th October 2025
Presented by Eddy Toffeletti
French Polishing is a traditional finish where you apply thin layers of Shellac onto timber to bring out the subtle beauty held within.
Every Wednesday evening
$1010.00 AUD
15th October to 17th December 2025
(10 week course)
Presented by Lee Gratton
Tailored towards beginners, this Windsor Inspired Footstool offers a satisfying taste of chair making with the convenience of it being scheduled every Wednesday evening for a single term (10 week course).
$380.00 AUD (2025 course)
Sunday 7th December 2025
Presented by Matt Stonehouse
Adapting the classic Shaker oval box, we present to you the ‘Shaker Bentwood Tray’ course. While not traditional, this form echoes the look of iconic Shaker box tops.
BEGINNERS WELCOME
$890.00 AUD
Fri 17th to Sun 19th October 2025
(3 day course)
Presented by Alastair Boell
You will learn how to make a mallet, marking gauge, dovetail marker and a double bevel marking knife. These 4 tools represent an essential kit for anyone interested in fine woodworking.
$1920.00 AUD
Tues 25th Nov to Sat 29th Nov 2025
9:00am to 5:00pm
(5 day course)
Presented by Jon Grant
The Windsor Jerry chair is contemporary in style and efficient to create. The Jerry has both turned legs and spindles, making it as much a beautiful woodturning project as it is a chairmaking one. It requires its maker to turn their hand to steam bending, turning, seat carving and classic Windsor Chair joinery.
Sun 30th Nov to Tues 2nd Dec 2025
$970 AUD
Presented by Jon Grant
This Perch is a great opportunity to introduce you to the world of ‘Windsor’ chair making and the techniques associated with this iconic style.
Sunday 16th November 2025
$440 AUD
Presented by Matt Stonehouse
‘Shaker Oval Boxes’ are recognized artifacts of Shaker life and work.
Sunday 30th November 2025
$430 AUD
Presented by Michael Ooi
This is a very comprehensive one day sharpening course. The importance of this topic is ALWAYS overlooked to the detriment of your furniture making.
Fri 13th to Mon 16th June 2025
$1,920 AUD
Presented by Hugh Anderson
The Roorkee Chair belongs to the genre of Campaign Furniture. In the days of empires, there was a need for rugged, sturdy and simple furniture for military campaigns.
Sat 6th to Sun 7th December 2025
$820 AUD
Presented by Alastair Boell
Learn this delicate and sophisticated technique of assembling wooden pieces without the use of nails. Thinly slit wooden pieces are grooved, punched and mortised, and then fitted individually using a plane, saw, chisel and other tools to make fine adjustments.
Fri 10th to Sun 12th October 2025
$950 AUD
Presented by Simeon Dux
Most people, I’m sure would feel that hand cut dovetails are a daunting prospect and way beyond their skill level. Yet hand cut dovetails still represent around the world a standard of excellence that is easy to recognize by everyone.
FULL
Sunday 27th July 2025
$440 AUD
Presented by Matt Stonehouse
This course is recommended for those who have already completed the ‘Introductory’ course to Shaker Bentwood Boxes (Numbers 1, 2 & 3).
TERM 4
Starting 29th Sept 2025 (11 week course)
AM class - 2 spots available
AFT class - FULL
PM class - 4 spots available
$1012 AUD: 2025 - 11 week course
This is a great opportunity for students of all levels to undertake their own individual projects under the expert tuition of our qualified instructors. These classes are ongoing and offer a great opportunity to join a group of like minded enthusiasts.
Presented by Mike Blood, Alastair Boell , Lionel Seibert & Darren Naftal
Read MoreTERM 4
Starting 30th Sep 2025 (10 week course)
AM class - FULL
AFT class - FULL
PM class - 1 vacancy
$1012.00 AUD: 2025 - 11 week course
This is a great opportunity for students of all levels to undertake their own individual projects under the expert tuition of our qualified instructors. These classes are ongoing and offer a great opportunity to join a group of like minded enthusiasts.
Presented by Alastair Boell & Lionel Seibert
Read MoreTERM 4
Starting 1st Oct 2025 (11 week course)
AM class - 1 vacancy
AFT class - 1 vacancy
PM class - 2 vacancies
$1012.00 AUD: 2025 - 11 week course
This is a great opportunity for students of all levels to undertake their own individual projects under the expert tuition of our qualified instructors. These classes are ongoing and offer a great opportunity to join a group of like minded enthusiasts.
Presented by Alastair Boell & Darren Naftal
Read More