Furniture Finishing Workshop

What you'll learn

Learn how to finish your furniture with our woodwork courses in Sydney!

Wanted to finish your furniture or timber projects with traditional or natural finishes but been a bit confused where to start or what finishes to use?

Join furniture conservator Shane Weichnik to learn traditional finishing methods, including surface prep, boiling your own linseed oil, and using a range of traditional and modern finishes.

This course covers: linseed and tung oils, oil varnishes, spirit varnishes such as shellac, waxes and wax finishes, modern water-based finishes, french polishing technique and practice, and more!

Included in this course are a series of practice boards and a bespoke timber vase that you will have the opportunity to finish with your new knowledge and skills.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Furniture Finishing Workshop, you should be able to:

Practice preparing different timber surfaces for finishing
Spend time applying a number of finishes including:
- Oils such and Tung and Linseed
- Oil varnishes
- Spirit varnishes such as shellac
- Waxes
- Modern waterborne finishes
Learn about and practise french polishing techniques including making your own rubber to keep
Cook your own oil varnish
Mix your own shellac
Create and use your own wax paste
Finish a timber vase that you will get to take home, in a finish of your choice

Course content

What will be covered in this Furniture Finishing Workshop?

The language and knowledge to understand finishing techniques and materials
Hands on-experience with a variety of finishing techniques and materials
Sample boards of different finishes on different timbers
An understanding of different brushes and finishing equipment
An understanding of safe clean up and disposal of materials
A timber vase finished by you with your finish of choice
Some home-cooked oil resin varnish
Homemade wax paste
A jar of shellac and shellac rubber, made by the students
A booklet featuring a glossary, tips and tricks, and more

Intended audience

Who is this Furniture Finishing Workshop for?

Any learner who wishes to improve their personal and practical skills for self interest or the workplace.

Knowledge required

This workshop is aimed at people with no experience with woodwork. It is open to anyone 18 years and over.
The course is run using entirely hand tools so you need to be aware that there is an element of physicality involved.

Information for booking students under 18

Among the Trees is committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We care deeply about the children’s well-being and are committed to acting in their best interest at all times. You can read our full Child Safe Policy.

Among The Trees accepts students under 18 in two groups:

Students 13-15 years of age must attend all courses with a parent or guardian. This parent or guardian must also purchase a place in the course and take part. One parent/guardian is able to attend with multiple students.
Students 16-17 years of age may attend a course without a parent or guardian present.

For all students under 18, the full name and contact information for parents and guardians must be provided when booking. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us.

Course venue

Among The Trees

27 Sydney Street, Marrickville 2204

We encourage students to utilize the numerous public transport options nearby or ride their bicycle to Among the Trees, there is a bike rack on site. Street parking is limited during the day and onsite parking is off-limits for course participants during business hours (Wed-Sat 10am-4pm). Please contact Among the Trees directly if you have access concerns or requirements, there is an accessible parking spot available that we can reserve if requested. Outside business hours there are 3 onsite parking spots available.

About Among The Trees

We can’t get enough of reclaimed and recycled timber, and we believe it should be accessible to everyday people. There’s nothing like working with wood, and to use and love a product that would otherwise have been sent to landfill or be burned off helps keep the story of that piece alive.

Transportation and parking

Among The Trees is a 7 minute walk from Sydenham Station. There are bus stops for the lines 418, 423, 425, 426 and 430 all 4-6 minutes walk from ATT.
There are 3 onsite parking spaces available and street parking on Sydney Street and surrounding area.
If you are riding your bicycle, there is space inside ATT for you to store your bike.

Tools and Materials

What to bring

You are encouraged to bring your own facemask, protective eyewear and ear protection however sanitised Personal Protective Equipment will be available to use. Any borrowed PPE needs to be sanitised after use.
A face mask can be provided for each student when booking any course that includes sanding.
You are required to wear closed-toe shoes.
Please wear clothing that can get dirty (e.g. sawdust will be present).
Long hair needs to be tied back and no loose hanging jewellery should be worn.

Please note: This course may involve materials that are allergens for students. Nut and seed oils, natural waxes, a range of synthetic finishes, as well as fine wood dust may be present at points throughout the course. If you have any allergies please get in touch with us.

Additional information

Please note the following:

Concessions or discounts cannot be applied to classes hosted at the Among The Tree venue.

Please advise Among The Trees about:

your emergency contact (name, relationship and contact phone number), and
any special requirements (e.g. wheelchair access) if applicable

Lunch

For Classes running all day, a 30 minute lunch break will take place halfway through the class. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch, alternatively there are Cafe's and take away restaurants nearby.

Course testimonials

Colleen said: lots and lots of information and Shane is a very engaging teacher.
Robert said: Excellent course and teacher. So much to absorb, I learnt so much. Very well done and I would recommend it to anyone interested in timber finishes. Shane is very knowledgeable and helpful.

Course tutors

This course has no current classes. Please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Furniture Finishing Workshop