On Saturday the 10th of October I spent the day at Tools, Timber & Techniques, Timbecon’s free woodworking festival at their Melbourne store in Epping. More than 20 exhibitors, demonstrations running all day and a steady stream of makers through the door, from people picking up their first chisel to those who have been at it for decades.
I shared a stall with the Phoebe Everill Furniture Making School, which felt exactly right. Phoebe’s school in Drummond (between Daylesford and Kyneton) is where my woodworking started, and it’s also where I now run my saw-making workshops. Phoebe whipped her workbench down the highway for the day and I had the whole of it for my handsaw display, while she demonstrated using a saw to cut dovetails at a smaller bench alongside.
The saws on the bench
I brought along five finished dovetail and carcass saws in rock maple, spotted gum and PNG rosewood, and a few handle blanks at different stages so people could pick them up and feel the difference a handle makes once it’s shaped to fit.
That’s usually the moment the conversation starts. Someone picks up a handle, their fingers settle into the grip, and you can see it click. Two of the saws on the bench weren’t mine at all. They were made by one of my workshop students, who is 82. They drew as much attention as anything else on the table as I proudly showed them off. Proof that my workshops are for everyone.
Next door to another mentor
Our neighbours for the day were HNT Gordon, with Terry Gordon demonstrating his planes and tools from the first visitors to the last. Terry was my mentor during my internship with him in northern New South Wales, where he taught me the metal lathe, milling and a great deal more. Having him working away at the next bench made the day feel like a little bit of a reunion too.
The people who stopped by
The best part of the day was the people. Lots stopped to look at the saws, ask how they’re made and share their own journeys: their favourite techniques, the saw that’s been waiting to be sharpened, the first dovetails they’d cut.
Plenty asked about the workshops. Many left their details so I can let them know when the next dates are set, and others took a brochure to read more at home.
What I brought home
My favourite personal purchase of the day was a double square from Ironbark Toolworks, made by the very talented Devon Campbell. It has a solid brass body with a sliding stainless blade, so it works as a depth gauge and a marking gauge as well as a square, and it comes with a tiny micro blade for checking small features. At 70mm it’s a handy size for saw handles and small joinery, and it’s good to have another Australian-made tool on the bench.
Lots of Phoebe’s students came along for the day to support the two of us, which meant a great deal. It turns out I wasn’t the only one taken with Devon’s square either. At least four of us went home with a matching one!
Thank you
Thanks to Timbecon and their friendly, helpful staff for putting on the day, to Phoebe for her endless support (and for hauling her bench down the highway for me!), and to everyone who stopped for a chat. If you left your details, I’ll be in touch shortly. If you missed us, you can register your interest in a workshop, or have a look at the saws for sale.
Q&A: Looking back on the day
A few questions I was asked after the event, and my answers.
Did you have any stand-out conversations at the stall?
Other makers sharing their stories and showing me what they are enjoying creating. People are very talented, and you can see and feel the positive impact it has. Making is good for you in so many ways. One of the many people who stopped to chat was Roger, who showed me some amazing photos of exotic timbers he has that would look phenomenal as saw handles. He could bring them along to a workshop and make his own custom saw.
How did you enjoy your very first event, and how did it feel to have two mentors alongside you?
It felt surreal at times. How did I get here? I did take a moment to stop and take it all in. Standing alongside these incredible makers, and being part of an amazing community that encourages each other, felt an honour and was humbling. Immense gratitude and appreciation to Phoebe and Terry.
What will you use your new double square for in your saw making, and did you make any other purchases on the day?
I was so excited when I got my new double square from Ironbark Toolworks, and I made a new maker friend in Devon. I have wanted one of these for so long. It’s perfect for the accurate layout that’s required for making the handles and blades. Now I have a wonderful reminder of happy memories of the event every time I use it.
Is there anything you would do differently at your next event?
The display and information were definitely getting attention. Next time I think I will have a larger range of handle sizes to sample, so more people can feel exactly what a good-fitting handle is like. That tactile experience speaks volumes.
