I have a strong desire to share my knowledge with those seeking a creative outlet, or tangible form of self-expression that can be fulfilled through a medium such as wood. This is why I’ve been actively writing for Australia Wood Review magazine since 2012 and why I also teach woodworking to others who share, or wish to discover, my passion for this craft. FINE WOODWORKING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS IN BRISBANE.
Teaching and training has always been a passion of mine. I held several key instructional postings throughout my 20-year military career. To read more about this aspect of my background, scroll down below the class information. Take a look at our
Student Project Image Gallery.
My classes are for all levels of woodworkers in a modern, clean and fully-equipped professional workshop in Willawong in metropolitan Brisbane. Students will learn on and operate machinery from Felder, Hammer and Festool. An extensive suite of hand-tools is available for use from premium makers such as Lie-Nielsen, Veritas, Starrett, Colen Clenton, Chris Vesper, Blue Spruce, HNT Gordon, Tite-mark, Ironbark and more.
Regulalr introductory class programs (Hand Tools Essentials and Machinery Essentials) are conducted on Saturdays, with a morning session from 830am-1230pm and and afternoon session from 1-5pm to choose from. Other programs are conducted as detailed on the Master Class Schedule above.
I offer the following classes in fine woodworking:
Hand-Tool Essentials
Hand-Tool Essentials
Students new to hand-tool woodworking, or those who wish to learn to do the basics extremely well, would complete an introductory course in hand-tool use, covering marking and layout, tool care and maintenance, tool tuning and setup, tool selection, the design and cutting of several fundamental joints (such as half-laps, dovetails, mortise and tenon) and sharpening. Core woodworking tools such as chisels, planes and saws, as well as layout tools, will be covered in great detail. Each evening session would also contain a short discussion on key woodworking topics such as designing for wood movement, choice and use of adhesives, wood identification and selection etc.
Rather than focusing on any set projects, I set skills-based exercises that have been carefully chosen to give you the best grounding and experience in the use of each key group of tools. I've found that by teaching this way, you will finish this course with more advanced skills and a higher level of confidence to begin tackling projects of your own that are far more advanced than if we'd built a simple project that can only cover certain skills.
To ensure you get the best experience possible, all exercises are completed with select pieces of premium timbers such as Tasmanian Blackwood, Jarrah, Hoop Pine, New Guinea Rosewood, American White Oak, Queensland Maple, Silky Oak etc. The exact species will depend on what I have available in the shop at the time of each week's class.
This course is designed to fit the maximum amount of learning value into a finite time frame. Accordingly, whilst we spend as much time as is needed to complete the exercises, it is deliberately designed to be an accelerated learning curve so that you can get the most out of the program.
This is all covered as a structured program conducted over 6 evening sessions, one evening per week. This is the course to attend if you want to learn to use hand tools properly. The cost for this module is $795 which includes the use of all tools and all materials.
Course overview:
- Week 1 - Introduction to the core groups of hand tools. Exercise - Lap joint. Theory topic - The nature and properties of wood
- Week 2 - Exercise - Dovetail lap joint. Theory topic - Woodworking adhesives, clamps and clamping techniques
- Week 3 - Exercise - Through dovetail - layout and cuts tails. Theory topic - Designing and building for wood movement, including the selection and application of grain and the different cuts from the log.
- Week 4 - Exercise - Through dovetail - layout and cut pins and assembly.
- Week 5 - Exercise - Twin mortise and tenon joint. Theory topic - Wood finishing
- Week 6 - Hand-plane round-robin. Spend 15 minutes at 12 separate stations designed to introduce you to the power and flexibility of hand-planes in the workshop. Shape a rough band-sawn leg with spoke-shaves, take 1/1000" shavings with a smoothing plane for a finish-ready surface, mill rough-sawn timber, cut grooves and rebates with joinery planes and more.
Machinery Essentials
Machinery Essentials
This class program is designed for those who'd like to experience how to safely and effectively utilise powered woodworking tools and equipment. Suitable for beginners, those with some experience, or even those with their own workshops at home who wish to learn how to better operate their machines. It covers the safe and effective setup and operation of core woodworking machinery such as table saw, jointer, planer, band-saw, router, drill press, drum sander, dust extraction etc. Again, this would be conducted as a structured program over 6 evening sessions, one evening per week.
This is the course to attend to really learn how to use woodworking machinery safely and properly. As part of this, we will each be building an elegant lift-lid box, which has been specifically chosen as the teaching vehicle for this course as it includes practical use of most of the learning objectives of the course. See the American Oak and Walnut "Keepsakes" box in my gallery to see an image of this project. We will build this box in Tasmanian Oak or Queensland Maple as the primary timber with the lid, base, and accent details being done in a contrasting timber such as Jarrah, Tasmanian Blackwood, Queensland Maple etc.
This course is also designed to fit the maximum amount of learning value into a finite time frame. Accordingly, whilst we spend as much time as is needed to complete the exercises and the project, it is deliberately designed to be an accelerated learning curve so that you can get the most out of the program.
The cost for this module is $795, which includes the use of all tools and materials (students will be required to provide their own safet glasses and earmuffs for hygiene reasons)
Course overview
- Week 1 - Introduction to general workshop and power tool safety procedures. Learn the basics of milling rough-sawn timber and take several large pieces of Hoop Pine from rough-sawn to dressed-all-round. Learn and practice the basics of handheld routing and planing. Theory topic - storing timber, rough-sawn or dressed.
- Week 2 - Commence box project. Learn and practice the basics of handheld power tool joinery, including dowel, pocket screw, biscuit, Festool domino
- Week 3 - Continue project. Learn and practice the basics of table-mounted routing, as well as handheld and standing sanding tools and machinery.
- Week 4 - Continue project. Learn and practice the basics of power drills and impact drivers and learn how to choose and install threaded hardware and fixings in your projects.
- Week 5 - Continue project. Learn and practice the basics of handheld power saws, including jigsaws and the use of circular saws both freehand and with a track/rail guide
- Week 6 - Finalise and finish project. Course wrap-up and open question time.
Ongoing Classes
Ongoing Classes
Once both of these introductory modules have been completed, students can continue to attend and, under my supervision and guidance, use my workshop and equipment to go on to designing and building projects of their own choice. A significant benefit of these ongoing classes is that very rarely will two students be working on the same type of project.
Accordingly, by sharing the same workshop space you will “learn by osmosis” as you observe other students learn and conduct specific techniques, which could be as simple as a specific type of joint or something more elaborate such as bent lamination or veneering. This is a very community-oriented approach - for example if somebody is executing a challenging glue-up, other students muck in and help out to ensure things proceed smoothly.
This type of class is also open to woodworkers who already have some experience and wish to further their skills and experience in a professional workshop setting. With access to my equipment and under my guidance you will be amazed at what you can create.
The cost for ongoing workshop classes is $1335 for a block of ten x four-hour sessions. These sessions may be taken at your convenience and are available on Saturdays with two sessions available - 830am-1230pm and 1-5pm. You can come along to both sessions on the day if you like, please do bring some lunch and will ask you to take a break for safety and stamina reasons! This workshop access includes the use of my workshop space, benches and machines, supervision and ongoing guidance in the design and building of individual projects. Students will need to purchase their own materials for the construction of individual projects for this level of class. I can provide guidance and referrals to several reputable local suppliers for all your needs in this regard, or you can purchase directly from my own stocks at reasonable prices.
Individual Tuition
Individual Tuition
Individual tuition, on the topic of your choice, may be available during working hours for $110 per hour or in pairs for the shared cost of $150 per hour. Availability will be dependent upon my current work schedule. This could be as short as spending an hour with me to learn the fundamentals of sharpening and tool setup for premium performance, through to a week or more of dedicated, customised training to suit your individual needs.
In-Home Instruction
In-Home Instruction
I can travel to your home workshop to assist you in any woodworking topic of your choosing, from workshop design and setup to the tuning and use of hand tools to the safe and effective use of your suite of woodworking power tools and machinery. This is a unique option to secure some individual instruction and guidance to suit your own particular workshop arrangement. I have significant experience on both European and American machinery styles and Western and Eastern styles of hand tools, so I can give you the appropriate guidance for any given situation.
Subject to my own production schedule, this is available in the Brisbane metro area for $140 per hour or outside the metro area (up to 4 hours drive from Brisbane) for $165 per hour.
Casual Workshop Hire
For experienced woodworkers, or those students who have completed both of my Essentials programs - if you have some processes to do such as dressing stock etc, or you need to use a particular machine such as my 625mm Felder thicknesser, you can hire the workshop at the rate of $55 per hour. This is subject to my own work schedule so please call in advance to check for availability. This is contingent upon you understanding that I will be going about my own work and you will therefore need to be self-sufficient. Of course I can assist with some techical details such as familiarising you on a new machine or assisting with a setup, but otherwise you'll be working independently.
Workshops
In addition to my regular weekly classes, I offer short-term workshops focused on specific woodworking techniques, as follows:
Introduction to Double-Bevel Marquetry with Peter Young
Introduction to Double-Bevel Marquetry with Peter Young
Marquetry is the art of making pictures with wood. On this two-day course you will learn how to make a simple picture using commercial veneers and how to use a vacuum press to glue it to a substrate, suitable for use as a box lid. The double bevel cutting technique is simple, quick and neat and once the basics are mastered it can be used for quite complex designs. Peter Young is one of Australia’s finest exponents of this amazing technique. Limited to 8 places.
Not currently scheduled for 2024, 2025 TBA
$670, including GST, all tools, materials
Advanced Workshops
Advanced Box Making
This is a direct follow-on from the introductory Machinery Essentials program. Each student will make a more advanced jewellery box, with the opportunity to revise and consolidate a large number of the skills from the ME program, as well as taking things to another level with features such as wrapping the grain around four corners, laying out and cutting in hinges, carving handle recesses, making and fitting sliding internal trays, lining bases with suede and more. Not currently scheduled for 2024, 2025 TBA
$2500, inc GST, all timber stock, consumable and materials and hardware
Bending and Curving Wood
This class is for those who wish to begin incorporating curves into their projects. Conducted as a series of guided skills demonstrations by Damion, this class will include various methods for drawing curves, how to transfer those curves onto tempate stock, designing and building jigs for safe and effective production work at the router table or spindle moulder, planning and executing bent laminations, planning for and using a vacuum bag for creating curved components over a form, kerf-boarding and more. These are skills that would usually only be available at one of the more extended woodworking programs like Sturt, but Damion has written this program to be a valuable introduction into the possibilities available with some of these techniques. Running for 4 weeks, with a maximum number of 8 students.
Not currently scheduled for 2024, 2025 TBA
$670, inc GST, all materials
Build your Own Custom Workbench
Build Your Own Custom Workbench
In a one-week time frame, come along and build your own dedicated Roubo-style workbench, custom-made to suit your own ergonomics and style of woodworking. This is proving to be an extremely popular option for those looking to be able to continue their woodworking in the comfort of their own workshop. Based on a contemporary version of the versatile Roubo workbench design, we will select an appropriate hardwood (I usually recommend using either Victorian Ash, European Beech, Rock Maple or American White Oak, others such as Kwila and New Guinea Rosewood are also suitable), discuss the style and type of vise hardware to be utilised, exact dimensions to suit your personal ergonomics and proceed with the build.
Starting from large, rough-sawn boards from one of my suppliers, we will go through the full process of dressing the stock, laminating the bench-top and frame components, layout and cutting of joinery, assembly, design and installation of the sliding dead-man (a very useful work holding device on the front face of the bench), installation of the vise hardware and installation of the bottom shelf.
This is an exciting and intensive week of woodworking, a full-immersion program in my fully equipped professional workshop, the culmination of which is your very own custom workbench, designed and made just for you. Many past students have commented that whilst it is exciting to take home a fantastic workbench, the lessons and learning value of being immersed in the workshop for the week are also of immense benefit.
The cost for this program is calculated on an individual basis. The stock and hardware you use is charged at market rates from my suppliers. The workshop time taken for the build is charged at my rate for Private Tuition ($104.50 per hour) for individuals. This activity also works very well in pairs, as the extra set of hands on deck gives a lot more flexibility in regards to the milling and dressing of stock, big lamination glue-ups etc. In this instance the time is charged at $144 per hour, shared between the two participants. Let me know if this interests you and I'll add your name to the list of interested people and we'll coordinate a mutually suitable time together.
Please note this program and time-frame is based on installing a simple vise mechanism - if you're interested in installing a more complex mechanism (such as a leg vise or chain-drive vise), this will require additional workshop time so please contact me to discuss this option further.
Scheduled as required to suit your schedule and my workload - please contact me anytime to discuss further details.
Parquetry Class with Peter Young
Parquetry Masterclass with Peter Young
Parquetry is the art of making patterns with geometric shapes. In this two-day veneering workshop you will learn the skills required to incorporate simple yet visually stunning patterns into your next project. Two exercises will be set, a chessboard and then a Louis Cube. Both projects will be fixed to a suitable substrate in my industrial-grade vacuum press for you to take home and build into a project of your choosing. Peter Young is one of Australia's finest exponents of this technique and you will take home many new skills. Limited to 8 places.
Not currently scheduled for 2024, 2025 TBA
$670 inc GST, all tools and materials
Introduction to Veneering
Introduction to Veneering
Knowing the basics of veneering will significantly expand your woodworking capabilities. The correct use of veneers can allow you to design your projects around the traditional constraints of wood movement, make the most of a special piece of wood, create stunning visual patterns and effects and minimise the environmental impact of woodworking. On this six-day workshop you will learn the basics of using commercial veneers, including cutting, edge-jointing, creating basic patterns, the selection and use of appropriate substrate materials, the preparation and conduct of pressing in a vacuum press and the application of solid edging to your veneered panels. Along the way you will make a lovely quarter-matched tabletop with a decorative frieze and mitred border, as well as a circular tabletop with a starburst radial match centre panel and a decorative radial frieze. Limited to 3 places.
17-22 June and 14-19 October 2024, 2025 TBA
$2050, including GST, all materials. Participants will need to provide some basic tools suc as a ruler/straightedge and a retractable knife for example
Sharpening
Sharpening
Unlock the true potential of your edge tools with this half-day session dedicated to the development and maintenance of your working edges.
Learn about the use of mechanical and hand methods for cutting and polishing the steel, as well as their specific application to plane irons, chisels and card scrapers. Bring in your worst, most banged-up old chisel for review. Damion will pick one and prepare a brand new, razor-sharp edge on it as a demonstration. Limited to 12 places.
14 September 2024, 2025 TBA
$200, including GST, all materials
Bandsaw Masterclass
Bandsaw Masterclass
If you are considering buying a bandsaw for your workshop or if you already own one and can't get it to work properly, then this one day class is for you. In this class you will learn how to select the correct blade, how to install the blade and tune the saw, how to safely use the machine for basic cutting operations and then learn about some of the more advanced cuts and joints that can be made with this incredibly versatile machine. Limited to 12 places.
9 September 2024, 2025 TBA
$242, including GST, all materials
Hand-plane Masterclass
Hand-plane Masterclass
If you would like to learn how to use hand-planes to their full potential then this workshop is a must. There are few things more satisfying in woodworking than the sweet feel of a well-tuned hand-plane taking the wispiest of shavings to leave a wonderfully tactile surface on the work piece. In this workshop you will learn about basic hand=plane anatomy, the various styles of hand=planes and how to correctly prepare the tool, including preparing and sharpening the iron (both with straight and cambered edges).
Further, you will learn how to set the tool for the correct depth of cut that you are seeking, how to correctly secure your work piece at the bench and how to apply the most efficient use of force through the correct application of body posture and alignment.
Along the way you will get to experience making shavings on many types of planes, from the No101 Violin-Maker's Plane to No8 Bench planes. Towards the end you will get to witness and experience the true versatility of hand-planes as we go over making rebates, dadoes, grooves, hinge mortises and more with joinery hand-planes. Limited to 8 places.
Not scheduled for 2024, 2025 TBA
$242, including GST, all materials
Introduction to Hand-Cut Joinery
Introduction to Hand-Cut Joinery
Knowing how to cut fine woodworking joints by hand is extremely rewarding. In this workshop you will learn the fundamental skills and processes required to successfully cut two challenging yet versatile joints, the through dovetail and the mortise and tenon.
Experience using premium quality hand tools and working on premium grade cabinet timbers as we go through the skills and processes necessary to successfully execute these two quintessential joints. The skills and experience you gain from this workshop will transfer directly to many other woodworking skills and techniques. Limited to 8 places.
Not scheduled for 2024, 2025 TBA
$242, including GST, all materials
Circular Side Table Workshop
Make one of Damion's elegant circular side tables in this 5-day intensive class. Learn how to successfully make circular panels, cut super accurate and strong half-lap joinery, shape beautiful elliptical legs and decoratively strengthen throough-mortise and tenon joinery with multi-coloured wedges. Featuring a great balance of machine and hand tool processes. To enrol in this class you must have completed both of the Essentials programs first. Limited to 6 places
21-25 October 2024, 2025 TBA
$1700 inc GST, all materials
Router Workshop
Learn how to safely get the most out of this amazingly verstatile tool. On this two-day class we'll spend the first day concentrating on hand-held routing, then on day two we'll focus on the router table. Discussions along the way will include router and bit selection and maintenance, cutter rotation and feed direction, cutter RPM selection, jig design and construction and loads more. This is a very practical class, with many opportunities to make all kinds of basic and advanced cuts in all types of materials.
10-11 September 2024, 2025 TBA
$825 inc GST, all materials
Advanced Hand Tools
I've thought about this one for many years, and I ran a very successful pilot program in 2023. For those who wish to advance their hand tool skills. Previous completion of my Hand Tools Essentials program (or documented/photographic evidence of having similar skillsets) is a prerequisite for this prorgram. We'll be making a beautiful jewellery/keepsakes box featuring through dovetails with mitred keys at the corners, as well as a frame-an-panel assembly for the lid - utilising techniques that I developed myself for completing the frame-and-panel joinery with a series of joinery handplanes.
$1320 - not scheduled for 2024, 2025 TBA
Reservations
To inquire about a class, please
contact me via email or on mobile 0407 522 207. Enrolments are done manually at my end - once you let me know which classes you'd like to sign up for I'll add your name to the class list. Approximately 4-6 weeks prior to the commencement of your classes I'll send out a class information pamphlet for the program and an invoice with payment options and details for the class fees.
A 40% deposit will secure your place, with the balance payable at the commencement of the first session. The deposit is refundable up until 14 days prior to the commencement of your classes, providing that a replacement can be found.
Payments can be made by cash, cheque, credit card or direct deposit and in the month or so leading up to your class commencing I'll email you an invoice with those payment options and details.
Damion’s non-woodworking teaching and training background
- Officer-in-Charge of Ground Defence training at the RAAF Security and Fire School, 2000-2002. In this position I was responsible for the planning and provision of initial employment training and postgraduate studies for Airfield Defence Guards and postgraduate training for Ground Defence Officers
- Instructor in Tactics and Leadership at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, 2003. In this position I was responsible for the planning and conduct of the Security Operations tactics package undertaken by cadets in their senior semester.
- Chief Instructor, RAAF Security and Fire School, 2006-2007. In this position I was responsible for the scheduling, standard and quality of instruction on 75 different courses of instruction provided to 23 separate military trade groups.
- I'm also a qualified SCUBA instructor and for many years taught basic and advanced programs in recreational diving throughout Southeast Queensland and Southern NSW
I also hold formal qualifications in Training Development and a Nationally Accredited Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training.
So what does this all mean to you as a potential student of mine?
It means that I have vast experience in the development, planning and conduct of quality training. Specifically, it means that I can take a particular skill or process, break it down into subordinate steps and then design the best method of teaching that skill in the most efficient manner, using a variety of theoretical and practical methods. I use a proven teaching method known as EDP - Explain, Demonstrate, Practise. For each particular step I explain the process, then I demonstrate the process so that you can observe the correct mechanics, body positioning, ergonomics etc and then you each have the opportunity to have a go at that process yourself, under my supervision.
