We now offer Private Project Assistance. Do you have a wood working project that you’re burning to make, but you’re concerned about your equipment and experience? Are you worried that you might spend a lot of money on timber, but make a terrible mistake? Do you need some heavy equipment but can’t justify the cost or find the room? Does your project require steam bending and you’ve never done it before? Is your spouse worried that you might start the project, but never “get it done”? We will guide you through the design process, then provide one-on-one assistance while you make your project in our workshop.
This option is also open to designers and /or professional makers who want to prototype a design or even make a commercial piece.
How it Works
Arrange with Evan a design/project consultation at the cost of $165 incl. GST. Evan will assess the project, suggest design modifications, timber considerations, hardware options and give you guidance for how much time to allow for the piece.
A Dunstone Design maker will assist you every step of the build. Book a date that works for everyone then you acquire the timber and hardware that you’ll need for the project.
Our workshop and an award-winning maker will cost you $1,232 incl. GST for each one-day (8 hours at the bench) block.
Example
Let’s say you want to make a red gum dining table for your family. You spend an hour with Evan one Saturday and he reviews the design, makes some design suggestions and gives you some leads for purchasing the red gum. He recommends Alex to be your assistant. You book 5 consecutive days with Alex (one week) at a cost of $6,160 incl. GST.
As you build your table, Alex helps you at every step of the way, depending on your experience, the complexity of the project and the materials. Alex will not only train you on the machines and techniques, but he will help you with the sanding and any other jobs that need to be done.
At the end of the week, the table will either be finished, at a stage where you can manage the last parts at home, or you might need to book an extra day or two in the workshop.
While you are building your table, the rest of the Dunstone Design team will be doing their various professional commissions. If you see a technique or process that interests you, you can stop and watch. You will take your breaks with the team and have a chance to talk to the award-winning makers.
At the end of the project, you get the finished object and the professional help/development/experience of the build. This will help you greatly on your journey as a maker, and your object(s) will be superior to anything you might have achieved on your own.
These sessions are booked in advance, just like a commissioned piece, and you are not limited to a “set” group masterclass date. With one-on-one tuition, you will not be held back by the other students. For all the time consuming “grunge” work, such as sanding, you will have the direct help of a professional maker.
Exclusions
You are responsible for your own food and PPE.
Any incidental materials required, such as MDF for templates and plywood or timber for jigs etc.
Inclusions
Consumables such as abrasives, rags and glue.
Makers and their Specialties
Evan Dunstone– Chairs, tables, hall tables.
Alex MacFarlane– Workbenches, chairs, dining tables, anything “big”.
William Bayliss- Cabinets, artistic/sculptural items, steam-bent designs, complex laminations
Aditi Sargeant– Ideal for getting women and younger people into the workshop. Aditi is still an apprentice and would have direct supervision from either Alex and/or Evan when training you on machines.