Reviews Widget | ClassBento

Very attentive teachers, great equipment. Always come away having learnt something new and reinforcing techniques.

Angela Orenstein • Mar 2025

Simon & Ken’s wood turning courses are great. They are so experienced & knowledgeable.

Peter Landis • Mar 2025

Intro Woodworking Course: Make a Small Box or Cabinet

Experienced and friendly trainers who are very attentive

Julie Rea • Feb 2025

A fun class with great teachers.... they really know their stuff and how to communicate it. I went with my adult son and we both enjoyed the experience, plus we had 2 lovely boxes to show for it.

Freya Stratton • Feb 2025

Intro Woodworking Course: Make a Small Box or Cabinet

Amazing class with such a lovely community! I learnt so much and every question I had was met with so much wisdom. Thank you both

Timo Schmechel • Feb 2025

Woodturning Class: Intro to Pen Turning - Marrickville

Simon and Josh did a fantastic intro to Pen making.

In the end it was much easier than I thought.

I had worked with wood before and it is a very forgiving material.

The explanation and step by step introduction to the tools and lathe was very good. Overall a very fun activity and I am proud of my results. :-)

Thank you

Jürgen

Nick Vertes • Feb 2025

Woodturning Class: Intro to Pen Turning - Marrickville

The small class size was perfect as we could get questions answered immediately not that there were that many questions as the course structure and tuition was very very well done.

The instructors were knowledgeable and gave a lot of useful info.

Finished the day with 4x awesome pens and can highly recommend this course to even someone who has never turned wood before!

Thank you

Nicole Duinker • Feb 2025

Woodturning Class: Intro to Pen Turning - Marrickville

Excellent work shop! Both Simon and Josh were super helpful and very knowledgeable about turning. I can only recommend this class. A couple of people were there as they received this class as a gift. What a wonderful present!

I had no prior knowledge of wood turning and I managed to complete 3 lovely pens!

Thank you, I really enjoyed the work shop.

Chloe Grech • Feb 2025

Woodturning Class: Intro to Pen Turning - Marrickville

The pen turning class was great! Perfect for anyone who has barely even touched a drill before (like me) or wants to learn more about turning. Simon was so knowledgeable and friendly. You could work at your own pace and had the freedom to experiment. The smaller class size meant you could get that one on one time with the instructors. As a complete rookie to anything woodwork, I came away with more confidence with the tools as well as three pens that I'm proud of. Would highly recommend!

Saff Hass • Feb 2025

Woodworking Course: Hand Cut Joinery

This was my first woodworking workshop and it was a fun experience. I learned so many new skills. The studio is well-designed, well-lit, and fully stocked with properly maintained tools. Darren, the instructor, is knowledgeable and accommodating. His assistant, Eliza, was also very helpful. She has a natural ability to explain and simplify techniques, making the learning process easier and more enjoyable. I definitely plan to return for more classes and I highly recommend Wood Academy.

Michael O'Sullivan • Feb 2025

Woodworking Course: Hand Cut Joinery

Instructors very knowledgable and clear with assistance. Would recommend for anyone wanting a clear introduction to hand cut joinery

Alex Worley • Feb 2025

Woodworking Course: Mitered Boxes

The Mitred Box Class (2 days - handtools) was just fantastic - wow, just wow. This course teaches you a repeatable process to follow to create the box. How simple was the grain matching technique! (when you know how). David Lim was just great at explaining and demonstrating the steps. He was prepared to answer any questions I had and others had too. I loved the opportunity to try out different handplanes to see which ones fit into my hand nicely. Tried out different handsaws. I love the jigs that we used and you can make them yourself or buy them from Timberbits. And, I found a good shop apron too! There are others but no substitute for using the product and getting to know it and test it before purchase. Oh, BTW - I built a box too! I made mistakes and David showed my how to fix those and to prevent them happening again.

Mark Benson • Feb 2025

Woodworking Course: Mitered Boxes

David is a very good teacher! Even though I’ve been woodworking for a number of years, I still picked up some new skills and techniques. Like how to clamp box glue ups with just a length of VB cord and some wood blocks. Definitely worth the price of admission.

Bryan Scott • Feb 2025

The course essentially consisted of four demonstrations by the instructors, each followed by practical application at the lathe. I found the amount of detail in the demonstration was too much per practical application and struggled to remember all the detail once back at the lathe. I would have preferred more frequent, smaller demonstrations between each practical session at the lathe.

Janette Evans • Feb 2025

Great course and fantastic teachers in Simon and Ken. Lots of fun. I learnt a lot about turning wood on a lathe and wood in general. Highly recommend it.

Paul Drebing • Feb 2025

Intro to Machinery Woodworking Course

very knowledgeable instructors, up to date equipment & plant. Had a great weekend in their workshop and learnt a lot, thank you!

Lyall Shapiro • Dec 2024

David and Flynn provided an outstanding adult learning experience. Clear objectives, reminders about what was truly important to know and practice, and clear and timely instruction and guidance. We had eight weeks of learn, practice, learn, practice and this has massively built confidence in the woodworking machinery. I feel safely competent to go to other workshops and use their equipment, but I am also equipped with the knowledge of how to think about safety. We were able to create several projects and it was a joyful experience to complete and take home quality pieces. I highly recommend this course.

Daniel Fowler • Dec 2024

Intro Woodworking Course: Make a Small Box or Cabinet

Great course. Learnt a lot. So satisfying to learn how to use new tools (especially the planner). And you get two oiled wooden boxes with lid to take home.

Nicholas Baldwin • Dec 2024

Intro Woodworking Course: Make a Small Box or Cabinet

Even better than the first boxmaking course - learned new tools and made a beautiful box

Peter Degroff • Dec 2024

Intro Woodworking Course: Make a Small Box or Cabinet

Loved it. The teachers were very accessible and responsive to questions as well as being very knowledgeable and patient. Would recommend.

Monika Pieprzyk • Dec 2024

his is a fantastic workshop. Luke was a great teacher and guided us all through the steps.

It was great to get into a flow state regarding carving. I went on my own - definitely recommended for anyone who is just curious and wants to do something hands-on!

Tania Nichols • Nov 2024

A very enjoyable class with expert tuition and fabulous facilities. I am very proud of the spoon I made. Thanks Luke and the team!

Odd Kristensen • Nov 2024

Experienced and knowledgeable instructor, excellent facilities

Cella Purcell • Nov 2024

Woodturners Workshop Tour - Vicmarc Edition

I took the spoon carving class with Luke! He was a very patient and knowledgeable instructor. Will recommend to friends!

Greg Croker • Nov 2024

KNOWLEDGEABLE MEETING.

WHAT JAWS I NEED

HOW TO PRESERVE MY LATHE ON THE VERANDA

GOOD TO MEET DAVID AGAIN AND MARCO AND DEAN

VENUE OK AND A CLEAN WORKSHOP

TALKING ABOUT VICMARC AND OTHER TURNING SUBJECTS.

John C Donnelly • Nov 2024

Woodturners Workshop Tour - Vicmarc Edition

Great to meet Marco and David-putting a name to the face. Thanks for the insight on Vicmarc lathes

Nick Vertes • Nov 2024

Woodturners Workshop Tour - Vicmarc Edition

Great 2 hour session to see the Vicmarc range and meet with key figures giving great info.

Can't wait to now take part in some of the Wood Turning courses and get started in this exciting hobby.

Lance Wheeldon • Nov 2024

Woodworking Course: Sharpening - Marrickville

Darren and Eliza were very good instructors and set the course to suit the five attendees each with different tools for sharpening.

The delight from the course is to back at the bench this morning using my finely honed planes and chisels.

Jordan Harrad-Chantler • Nov 2024

Woodworking Course: Hand Cut Joinery

Darren was fantastic. Clear instruction, provided advice on the course topics and additional information that supports my woodworking journey more broadly. Would definitely recommend.

Heather Alexander • Nov 2024

Woodworking Course: Steam Bent Shaker Box - Marrickville

It was an excellent experience, for somebody who has some experience in working with wood. I learnt some new techniques and came away with three beautiful shaker boxes. I highly recommend for anyone who wants to learn about wood bending. ️️️

Hugh Saddington • Nov 2024

Great course, learnt a lot from Simon and Ken. Both are great instructors doing a demo and supporting you as you turn the bowls.

Learnt new techniques and identified some bad habits!

Just 10 minutes from Sydenham train and metro, lots of great cafes nearby.

Rodrigo Aburto • Nov 2024

A lot of fun, great teachers, amazing workshop. Learning a lot techniques and enjoying the woodturning 100% recommended

Patrick Lee • Nov 2024

Amazing class! Ken and Simon were extremely knowledgeable, patient and super supportive… thanks again Ken and Simon for yet another amazing weekend!

Bernard Orenstein • Nov 2024

Woodturning Class: Intro to Pen Turning - Marrickville

Simon & Ken ran a fantastic course. This is my favourite of the wood turning courses - natural edge - basically bringing out the natural beauty of the wood - imperfections and all. I’m going to do it again and again!

Daniel Yeung • Oct 2024

Very practical. Teacher is very patient and helpful. I leaned a lot on one day.

John Steel • Oct 2024

Woodturning Class: Intro to Pen Turning - Marrickville

Took the intro to pen turning course. Darren carefully and patiently took the class through the process of turning a pen. Darren is a wonderful teacher and very giving of his experience and knowledge. All materials for the class were supplied and students had plenty of time to turn a number pens. Walked away at the end of the class with some confidence and skills to continue this activity on my own now.

Warwick Black • Oct 2024

Great teachers, materials and equipment; highly recommended. Will be looking to attend more courses in the future.

Kelly London • Oct 2024

This was an amazing course to do.

Build on the two day introduction that I had done earlier in the year really well.

Such a tricky thing to teach to multiple people at once, but Simon and Ken work well getting around all of us answering questions and refining techniques.

Can wait to do another one!

Eliza Maunsell • Oct 2024

Wood academy always puts on excellent courses and this was no exception. All the teachers are great and the facilities are top quality.

Karen O’Neill • Oct 2024

It was fantastic. I learnt so much and loved every minute.

Keith Hunt • Oct 2024

Simon and Ken were so generous with their skill and knowledge it was a pleasure to participate in the class this weekend. Made a huge impact on my woodworking moving forward.

Rodrigo Aburto • Oct 2024

Amazing class, learning a lot!! Top teachers and a lot fun learning new skills in woodturning. The classroom got everything to complete few projects.

Rob Lennon • Oct 2024

The teaching and confidence building were absolutely first class. Suffice to say, I learnt a great deal and completely surprised myself with the results. The venue was well set up, but all day parking was difficult. We did the course after a friend had done so and showed us his results, which we inspiring. My only disappointment was that the materials he was given to work with were different as it turned out. He was lucky enough to turn two Huon pine blocks, and a tassie burl, both of which I am particularly interested in working with. I understand some timbers are harder to get, so I'm only expressing my observations. I also think the dust extraction could be improved with a much better system and the unit being placed outside of the work area with some soundproofing. Lighting was good. Thanks for the expert instruction and the unwavering patience. Rob

Anthony Elias • Oct 2024