Waters & Acland | Site-Wide Activity

Chris posted an update: I am continuing with my side project box thingy as I […]

Wed, 20 May 2026 11:30:18 +0000

I am continuing with my side project box thingy as I prepare for a larger build. I added some copper doweling to these holes and flushed them off. They contrast nicely with the wenge.

Gabriele posted an update in the group Tools Chatroom: Good morning everyone! Just sharing a few shots of […]

Wed, 20 May 2026 09:19:54 +0000

Good morning everyone! Just sharing a few shots of my sharpening setup for planes and chisels. I went ahead and got the 15 mm float glass W&A recommend — not mandatory for the course, but I had the opportunity so why not! Sharpening is hard work, but honestly one of the most satisfying parts of the process. Cheers fron Italy!! Happy to be on… Read more

Christopher Tumbridge posted an update in the group Project Chatroom: Making my second breadboard - this time its the […]

Tue, 19 May 2026 19:56:15 +0000

Making my second breadboard – this time its the Octagonal Breadboard MKII. Due to an error from the supplier, I’ve ended up with a Maple board instead of Ash. My hope is the finished board will be more durable; but it is a very hard wood to work. Lots of blade sharpening already.

Blister aside, that burnished end grain straight off the plane is…

Steve posted an update: While having a tidy through the wood scrap pile, i […]

Mon, 18 May 2026 07:39:06 +0000

While having a tidy through the wood scrap pile, i came across this offcut of lime. Having not pulled out the chisels in a while, i binned off the sorting and started carving. No real plan, just drew on some wiggly lines and went with it. A great reminder how enjoyable shaping a flat piece of wood can be with sharp tools.

I have no idea what…

Chris posted an update in the group Tools Chatroom: I've got several revo jr parallel clamps. I'm thinking […]

Sat, 16 May 2026 10:54:11 +0000

I’ve got several revo jr parallel clamps. I’m thinking of adding some 12″ lengths and I’m wondering if I should go with the full-sized revo clamps or stick with the jr’s. I’ve never felt like the jr’s are insufficient, but then again, I’ve never used the regular revo’s so maybe I’m missing out on something and just don’t know it??? Any thoughts?

Alan posted an update in the group Tools Chatroom: Hi everyone, Looking to buy a replacement marking knife […]

Thu, 14 May 2026 19:21:51 +0000

Hi everyone, Looking to buy a replacement marking knife and considering the Narex Rosewood ones – however, they come in three thicknesses 0.75mm, 1.2mm and 2.5mm. The question is – which one to go for? Anyone have experience of these? Thanks, Alan

Alan posted an update in the group Tools Chatroom: I am using the Veritas Mk II Honing Guide as used in the […]

Thu, 14 May 2026 19:11:50 +0000

I am using the Veritas Mk II Honing Guide as used in the W&A Online Sharpening lesson. However, I find it nearly impossible to clamp narrow chisels securely – they start at right angles to the guide but quickly twist one way or t’other. Anybody any advice on how to stop this please. Thanks, Alan

Chris posted an update: One obstacle I find to woodworking is that it's hard to […]

Thu, 14 May 2026 03:14:17 +0000

One obstacle I find to woodworking is that it’s hard to be spontaneous. There’s generally a lot of planning that goes into a project. As a comparison, I do a lot of photography and it’s very easy to try many approaches and techniques because everything can be undone and redone over and over again, quickly and without additional cost. Not…

Waters & Acland posted a new post.

Wed, 06 May 2026 15:37:21 +0000

Week Three of Term Three. Progress Update

With our Two Term Designer Makers now having left the workshop before Easter, our remaining Three Term students are either in the final stages of…

Yonatan posted an update in the group Tools Chatroom: Hi everyone,I recently attended the “Mastering Tool Prep & […]

Sun, 03 May 2026 12:54:14 +0000

Hi everyone,

I recently attended the “Mastering Tool Prep & Use” course and sharpened my hand plane irons and chisels there according to the instructors’ guidance (primary bevel at 25°).

Now that I’m back home and continuing to maintain my tools, I want to keep exactly the same secondary bevel angle that was taught in the course. I’m a little…

Chris posted an update: I finished this box for my son who graduates from […]

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:34:55 +0000

I finished this box for my son who graduates from high school in June. Wenge, spalted maple and ebony pull. Brushed the wenge with a steel brush and shellaced it. I did the top in osmo raw. Inside is shellaced. I spent a long time thinking I needed to do something very elaborate to commemorate his graduation and worked my away around…

Waters & Acland posted an update: Hi all, does anyone have any making plans for […]

Fri, 01 May 2026 10:32:06 +0000

Hi all, does anyone have any making plans for the weekend?

Post a project pic and let us know how you’re getting on with the course, or maybe you’ve got your own project on the go.. it’d be great to see some work in progress shots.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks at the furniture school: short courses, new 12-week starters, and our 3-term…

Waters & Acland posted an update: The trusty gunstock joint method was used on Dalton’s […]

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:00:01 +0000

The trusty gunstock joint method was used on Dalton’s bedside table – worked a treat! 😎

https://online.watersandacland.co.uk/courses/joinery-exercises/lessons/gunstock-joint-tutorial-2/

Andy Tovell posted an update: Over the past year I have benefitted from the […]

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 20:03:50 +0000

Over the past year I have benefitted from the collective wisdom from other members on this project so I thought I’d give some more regular updates now its approaching the final stages…!

I have learned so much on the way and applied a lot from the online course.

Have to be honest I hugely under-estimated this project. It’s been a big ambition for…

Chris posted an update in the group Project Chatroom: I finally got around to making the W&A shooting board. […]

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:09:24 +0000

I finally got around to making the W&A shooting board. My old one was too small, but, it was dead square. I was hesitant to make another as “dead square” is an illusive angle in my life. But I nailed it and this board is so much nicer! I ended up gluing and screwing the fence as the mdf kept compressing while I was tightening the bolts…

Andy Tovell posted an update in the group Tools Chatroom: Hi all Quick question about using pocket bits in […]

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:03:36 +0000

Hi all

Quick question about using pocket bits in routers e.g. for deep tenons or bread board ends.

I have a couple of pocket bits from wealdon tools and a Triton tra001 router.

The issue I have is that the collet on the router will not accept the bit far enough to reach the minimum insert line on the bit.

My understanding is that bits should…

Waters & Acland posted an update in the group Pop Up Q&A: Pop Up Session is now closed. Thanks for your questions.

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:00:57 +0000

Pop Up Session is now closed. Thanks for your questions.

Zoe posted an update in the group Pop Up Q&A: Hi. Just purchased my first spokeshave (for breadboard […]

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:33:48 +0000

Hi. Just purchased my first spokeshave (for breadboard mark II). Straight out the box – should I add a secondary bevel? I have the veritas small blade holder & honing guide. Thanks

Robert posted an update in the group Pop Up Q&A: Hi there, I'm working on the dovetailed bookends […]

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:14:58 +0000

Hi there, I’m working on the dovetailed bookends and struggling a bit with the grain when paring back to the pins (mainly on the vertical) I keep spliting through the pin! Got through the Chinese puzzle with a couple of attempts, but this seems a lot harder.

Philip Weathers posted an update in the group Pop Up Q&A: Joined from Denver Colorado. I don’t have any specific […]

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:07:29 +0000

Joined from Denver Colorado. I don’t have any specific questions today but thought i would see what questions or issues others have

Waters & Acland posted an update in the group Pop Up Q&A: I'm here if you have a […]

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:01:44 +0000

I’m here if you have a question. 🙋🏻‍♂️

Steve posted an update: Hey folks, just thought i’d share this. Last night […]

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:13:14 +0000

Hey folks, just thought i’d share this. Last night purchasing some rough sawn timber from G&S timber i noticed the delivery price has doubled! What was an incredibly reasonable £20, has now jumped to £42. Its no surprise with whats going on in the East, but just thought id let you know if you are pricing things up at the moment.

Im not sure…

Waters & Acland posted an update: We’re running a pop up project Q&A session tomorrow […]

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:44:46 +0000

We’re running a pop up project Q&A session tomorrow afternoon 👀

Join the session free here – available to all members: This Tuesday, 4pm–6pm (BST), I’ll be live in the Community Feed answering your project questions.

This is a free, informal session open to all members. During that two-hour window, you can post your questions directly in the…

Waters & Acland posted a new course.

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:20:07 +0000

Lessons in Adhesives

A practical guide to adhesives in furniture making, covering selection, properties, and workshop use.

Chris posted an update in the group Tools Chatroom: Does anyone here use a Shaper Origin? I've been […]

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:00:48 +0000

Does anyone here use a Shaper Origin? I’ve been thinking of getting one but it’s a hefty investment. I’m curious to know the thoughts of anyone that’s had it in their shop for awhile. Thanks.

My first interest is in using it to add intricate relief carvings to pieces. I imagine I’d find more uses for it than that, but that’s what I’d like…

Christopher Tumbridge posted an update: In some of the tutorials, the Starrett mini square is […]

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:18:38 +0000

In some of the tutorials, the Starrett mini square is used and Workshop Heaven mentioned as a supplier. However, I can’t see these on their site and the only other supplier I found mentions they’re only available as an Imperial measurement…. Anyone know where I can get one with metric markings?

Waters & Acland posted a new post.

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:26:41 +0000

End of Term Two – A Celebration of Making

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been surrounded by the final push of self-designed projects: long hours of sanding, refining, adjusting, and problem solving, followed…

Andy Tovell posted an update in the group Woodworking Chatroom: My current project is a new workbench. I'm starting to […]

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:57:37 +0000

My current project is a new workbench. I’m starting to plan the storage for under the bench and would like to make solid beech doors and drawer fronts which will be around flat panels around 18mm thick.
What is the best way of laminating strips to prevent future movement? The widest panel will be the around 300mm wide – how many pieces of…

Steve posted an update in the group Tools Chatroom: Hey folks, I’m selling my xtool S1 20w laser cutter. It […]

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 06:58:16 +0000

Hey folks,

I’m selling my xtool S1 20w laser cutter. It has an air assist unit and riser base included. It works absolutely fine, I only purchased it in August last year, so it’s still under warranty. The reason for selling is I’m upgrading to a bigger machine for more commercial work. This machine is a great intro and super easy to use as I was…

Waters & Acland posted an update: Hi Everyone,Special offer just for online members: 25% […]

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:48:55 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Special offer just for online members: 25% off these two short box making courses*, coming up soon at the furniture school:

– 2-Day Box Making Course, Starting April 20th–21st and April 22nd-23rd

For more information: https://www.watersandacland.co.uk/product/2-day-box-making/

To book your place, please contact Oliver Waters directly…

Chris posted an update in the group Woodworking Chatroom: Has anyone used spalted maple before? I'm thinking […]

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:00:34 +0000

Has anyone used spalted maple before? I’m thinking of using it as a box lid I’m going to make. The material I have is a little punky. I’m wondering if I should harden/stabilize it and if anyone has an opinion on products/methods? Thanks.

Edward posted an update: Just watched the plane set up tutorial. No mention […]

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:26:37 +0000

Just watched the plane set up tutorial. No mention of frog/mouth adjustment. Do WA recommend a specific mouth opening or have does it depend on size/task of the bench plane, and if so what do they suggest?

Jack posted an update: Had a couple of goes at this little blighter and as it […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:44:11 +0000

Had a couple of goes at this little blighter and as it turns out, the best pieces from two attempts worked ok! 🤣 Cherry and maple.

Waters & Acland posted an update: If you’ve been considering getting the Online Course, this […]

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:23:47 +0000

If you’ve been considering getting the Online Course, this is worth knowing:

The Online Course is currently available at an introductory price of £99, which will increase to £149 on March 31st.

If you do plan to upgrade at some point, it’s worth doing before then.

Waters & Acland posted a new lesson.

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:31:19 +0000

Chris posted an update in the group Woodworking Chatroom: I have a question for the group. I'm thinking of […]

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:30:40 +0000

I have a question for the group. I’m thinking of creating a convex curve on the face of some mdf. The mdf will be around 4″ or 100mm in height. Any thoughts/recommendations on how to achieve this? I’m thinking I could create a guide for a router that would shape the board. Any thoughts?

Waters & Acland posted a new post.

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:37:55 +0000

Term 2, Week Nine: Approaching the Finish Line

It’s the end of week nine in term 2 and the effort across the workshop continues at full pace. For many students working on their…

Waters & Acland posted a new lesson.

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:57:16 +0000

Waters & Acland posted a new course.

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:55:30 +0000

Surface Treatments

A look at some popular surface treatments, including fuming, ebonising & staining.

Chris posted an update in the group Woodworking Chatroom: I've been sidelined from fine woodworking projects […]

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:47:32 +0000

I’ve been sidelined from fine woodworking projects with other concerns for the past while. I just finished this miter station for my new Kapex however and am looking forward to getting back to some project builds. My son is graduating high school this year and I plan on making him a men’s valet box, something heirloom quality. I already…

Waters & Acland posted a new lesson.

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:03:58 +0000

Waters & Acland posted a new lesson.

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:32:38 +0000

Waters & Acland posted a new lesson.

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:32:08 +0000

Waters & Acland posted a new lesson.

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:50:48 +0000

Waters & Acland posted an update: Hi Everyone,Special offer just for online members: 25% […]

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:15:55 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Special offer just for online members: 25% off the next 10-Day Dovetailed Box Making Course: March 16th–27th* (Just one place left!)

https://www.watersandacland.co.uk/product/dovetailed-box-making-course/

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now’s a great time to jump in!

To book your place, please contact Oliver Waters directly…

Steve posted an update: Ever since i first saw this joint in Gareth’s tutorial, i […]

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:27:35 +0000

Ever since i first saw this joint in Gareth’s tutorial, i loved the look of it and had to give it a go. I’ve now made 3 tables using this joint and each time I’ve gotten better and more efficient at cutting, reinforcing and clamping.

Here’s the latest table base in ash. After looking at this, i decided next time to use the widest cutter…

Waters & Acland posted a new post.

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:44:16 +0000

Week Seven: Complexity and Completion

Back after the halft term break, the workshop has quickly regained its rhythm. Several projects are now nearing completion, with some students deep into final…

Lawrence posted an update: Few photos of the pencil box project I completed […]

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:04:11 +0000

Few photos of the pencil box project I completed recently. The box is olive ash and the lid is walnut. Give me a chance to do a bit of freehand relief carving, which was enjoyable.

Herb posted an update in the group Project Gallery: Knocked out a couple of pencil boxes with some left […]

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 21:05:28 +0000

Knocked out a couple of pencil boxes with some left over lumber this past weekend. Great little project and enjoyed all the small details and precision needed. Walnut with Ambrosia lid and maple splines and birdseye maple with wenge lid and splines. Insta – @work_dat_wood

Waters & Acland posted an update: We’ll be giving this exact Axminster Professional Honing […]

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:13:21 +0000

We’ll be giving this exact Axminster Professional Honing Guide and Bevel Guide away to one member of our online school community.

Entry is free and open to all UK members aged 18 or over — including free account holders — but we want it to go to someone who genuinely wants it in their workshop…

To enter, simply “like” this post. That’s it. We’ll…