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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.
Filtering by Category: Intensive
$2300 AUD
Sun 15th to 20th March 2026
Presented by Hugh Anderson
The MGFW is introducing the Borge Mogensen ‘Spanish Chair’ to Australia with a 6-day course covering advanced joinery and leatherwork, allowing participants to choose premium timbers and Italian leather colours for a standout, comfortable chair.
$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.
$790.00 AUD
Fri 19th to Sun 21st June 2026
(3 consecutive day 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.
$430.00 AUD
Sunday 19th April 2026
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.
BEGINNERS WELCOME
$890.00 AUD
Fri 10th to Sun 12th April 2026
(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 29th March 2026
$460 AUD
Presented by Matt Stonehouse
‘Shaker Oval Boxes’ are recognized artifacts of Shaker life and work.
Sunday 8th February 2026
From 9:00am to 5:00pm
(1 day course)
$430
Presented by Alastair Boell
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 12th to Mon 15th June 2026
$2100 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.