UPLASASE-LAS2077-SEM2-AE-2024-5-F - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

LAS2077 - How to Make Fine Furniture with Hand Tools

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

Semester 2

4 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-Time Evening

Information for International applicants

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This micro-credential is offered as part of the programme for the Liberal Arts and Sciences and will only be offered subject to a minimum number of applications received. More information can be found on the PLAS website.

In the "How to Make Fine Furniture with Hand Tools" study-unit, students embark on a detailed journey through the art and craft of creating fine furniture exclusively using hand tools. This Unit is designed for those who aspire to master the intricacies of furniture making, from the ground up, using time-honoured techniques that emphasise precision, aesthetics, and functionality.

Course Overview:
This Unit spans fourteen sessions, each dedicated to specific aspects of the furniture-making process. Students will begin by constructing a Shaker Step Stool, progressing through the essential stages of material preparation, joinery, assembly, and finishing. The Unit will then advance to a more complex project: a Side Table with a Drawer. This project will further refine the students' skills in dimensioning and preparing materials, shaping components, and executing sophisticated joinery techniques including mortice and tenon and both through and blind dovetails.

Learning Experience:

Material Preparation and Selection: Learn to select and prepare wood, understanding its properties and how they influence the final product.
Precision Joinery: Master the art of dovetails as well as mortice and tenon joints, fundamental to fine furniture making.
Complex Assembly: Gain hands-on experience in assembling intricate furniture pieces, ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic quality.
Finishing Techniques: Explore various finishing techniques that enhance the durability and appearance of the wood, applying final touches that differentiate good from great furniture.
Project Management: Develop project management skills specific to crafting individual furniture pieces, from initial concept to final product.

By the end of this Unit, students will have developed a solid foundation in working with hand tools to create fine furniture will also complete two furniture pieces to serve as practical examples of their new skills. This course is perfect for those looking to delve deeper into the craft of traditional furniture making, providing the knowledge and experience necessary to produce beautiful, lasting furniture with their own hands.

Main Reading List

Course Materials (all provided for free):

The Stanley Guides to Setting Up and Sharpening Joinery Tools. (Copyright Free. Provided as Free Booklet).
The Essentials of Joinery Techniques over the last 150 Years by Prof Russell Smith. (Provided as Free Booklet)

Supplementary Reading List

How To Make Woodwork Tools by Charles Hayward. (PDF freely available online from: https://www.toolemerapress.com/2021/08/pdf-how-to-make-woodwork-tools-by-charles-hayward.html) Tools for Woodwork by Hayward.
Various free videos are available on You Tube by Paul Sellers (https://www.youtube.com/@Paul.Sellers) covering key joints and hand tool maintenance.
Tools for Woodwork by Charles Hayward.
English Period Furniture by Charles Hayward.
The Anarchist’s Tool Chest by Schwarz. (PDF freely available online from: https://www.scribd.com/document/659180118/The-Anarchist-s-Tool-Chest)

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the Unit the student will be able to:

Identify and Analyse Wood Types and Materials: Understand the properties of different wood types and materials used in fine furniture making, including how these properties affect the woodworking process and the final product.
Describe Traditional Joinery Tools and Techniques: Describe the tools required for fine furniture making and demonstrate an understanding of their use, care, and maintenance.
Define Joinery Techniques: Explain key joinery techniques used in fine furniture, such as dovetails, mortice and tenon joints, and understand their applications, benefits, and limitations in different types of furniture.
Analyse Design Elements and Furniture Styles: Gain knowledge of key design elements and historical furniture styles, understanding how they influence modern furniture making.
Assess Finishing Methods: Discuss different finishing techniques, including their chemical and physical properties, application methods, and the impact they have on the aesthetic and durability of the furniture.
Describe Project Planning and Execution: Identify the steps involved in planning and executing a furniture-making project, from initial design to final finishing.
Evaluate Structural Integrity and Ergonomics: Understand the principles of structural integrity and ergonomics in furniture design, ensuring that finished pieces are not only beautiful but also functional and comfortable.

These outcomes are designed to ensure that students develop a comprehensive understanding of the materials, tools, and methods used in traditional furniture making, preparing them for hands-on creation and design challenges.

Learning Outcomes: Skills

By the end of the Unit the student will be able to:

Master Hand Tool Techniques: Skilfully use a variety of hand tools to measure, cut, carve, and finish pieces with precision, demonstrating proficiency in each step of the furniture making process.
Execute Advanced Joinery: Accurately create complex joinery such as dovetails as well as mortice and tenon joints, crucial for constructing durable and aesthetically pleasing furniture.
Craft Fine Furniture Pieces: Independently plan, design, and construct fine furniture pieces, applying a comprehensive understanding of the necessary materials and techniques.
Apply Finishing Techniques: Effectively select and apply various finishing methods to protect and enhance the appearance of wood, understanding how finishes interact with wood surfaces.
Problem-Solving: Identify and solve technical and design challenges encountered in furniture making, using critical thinking to adapt techniques and processes as needed.
Project Management: Organise and manage furniture-making projects from conception to completion, including planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.
Attention to Detail: Demonstrate meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of furniture design and construction, ensuring high quality and consistency.
Communicate Design Concepts: Effectively communicate design ideas, plans, and technical details through drawings, descriptions, and presentations.
Work Collaboratively: Cooperate with peers in planning and executing complex projects, sharing insights and techniques to enhance collective outcomes.
Adaptability and Flexibility: Adapt to new and changing scenarios in project execution, demonstrating flexibility in approach and technique based on material properties and design requirements.

These outcomes are designed to ensure that students not only gain technical proficiency but also develop valuable transferable skills such as problem-solving, project management, and communication, which are applicable in many professional and personal contexts.

Non EU Applicants:

EUR180

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Micro-credentials offer the possibility of providing flexible learning pathways to respond to evolving needs and new developments, thus enabling students to tailor their studies to their needs. Micro-credentials may be combined or transferred into larger credentials, such as certificates, diplomas and degrees, provided that the relevant programme requirements are met. Applicants wishing to transfer micro-credentials to a programme of study are encouraged to seek the advice of the relevant academic entity.