<![CDATA[Richard Buckingham Furniture

<![CDATA[Richard Buckingham Furniture - From The Workbench]]>Sat, 28 Mar 2026 03:29:35 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[Turning Vision into Achievement]]>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:51:40 GMThttps://www.richardbuckinghamfurniture.co.uk/fromtheworkbench/turning-vision-into-achievementA 5-Day One-to-One Creative Journey

There’s something incredibly powerful about giving someone the time, space, and support to bring an idea to life, especially when it’s something they never thought they could achieve. My one-to-one, five-day course is designed to do exactly that: take a spark of inspiration and turn it into a finished piece, crafted with skill, confidence, and pride.

So how do you go from a simple idea to a finished, handcrafted piece in just five days?

It all Starts with an Idea

Every project begins the same way - with a message.
A student reaches out, often with an idea they’ve been holding onto for a while. Sometimes it’s clear and fully formed; other times it’s just a rough concept or a feeling of “I’d love to make something, but I’m not sure what.”
From there, we begin a conversation.

Shaping the Vision

How do you turn an idea into a realistic project?
It is all about grounding that idea in reality, without losing the excitement behind it.
Together, we explore:

What can realistically be achieved in five days
Whether the project needs simplifying or adapting
If extending the course length would better suit their goals
Or if they’d prefer me to prepare elements in advance to make the build manageable

"Hi Richard, I wanted to find out more about the courses you offer. We had a quick chat at Royal Cornwall show - I have an old dark oak table top that I'd like to do something with. I'm open to suggestions based on my beginner skill set. One thought I had was a couple side tables, but open to ideas. Louise"

For some, the best route is to choose from one of my pre-existing designs, projects I know can be completed to a high standard within the timeframe. For others, it’s about adapting their own vision into something achievable without compromising the essence of what they want to create.
This stage is collaborative, honest, and always focused on setting the student up for success.

Planning the Experience

How is a five-day creative course planned? Once the project is agreed, we confirm the course length and dates. This is guided entirely by the scope of the work and the student’s availability.
With a clear plan in place, the real preparation begins - on my side.

Behind the Scenes Preparation

Before the student even arrives, I create a detailed cutting list based on the final design. Every component is carefully measured, planned, and prepared.
I then cut all parts of the project to a stage where they are ready to be worked using traditional hand tools.
This is a crucial part of the process.
It means that during the five days, the focus stays exactly where it should be:

Learning skills
Building confidence
Enjoying the craft
Creating something beautiful

Rather than getting stuck in time-consuming preparation, the student steps straight into the making process.

Prepping components using a jig for a one-2-one course.

The Five-Day Immersion

What is a five-day one-to-one creative experience like?
When the course begins, it becomes a fully immersive, one-to-one experience.
Each student receives:

Personalised tuition tailored to their pace and experience
Hands-on guidance throughout every stage
Support when needed, and space when they’re ready to take the lead

We work together closely, solving problems, refining techniques, and ensuring every detail meets a high standard.
For complete beginners, this level of support transforms what might feel impossible into something entirely achievable.

The Outcome: More Than Just a Finished Piece

What do you achieve in a five-day creative course?
By the end of the five days, something remarkable happens.
The student leaves not only with a finished project—but with the knowledge that they made it.
Something that once felt out of reach has been brought to life through their own hands, guided by careful planning, thoughtful preparation, and dedicated one-to-one support.
They go home with:

A piece they’re proud of
New skills and confidence
And often, a completely new perspective on what they’re capable of

"Everyone has been really impressed with what you’ve taught me - looking forwarding to coming down again"

Why This Process Works

The success of these five-day projects isn’t accidental; it’s built into the structure:

Clear planning from the start
Honest conversations about what’s achievable
Detailed preparation behind the scenes
Focused, personalised teaching throughout

It’s a balance of realism and ambition, ensuring the result is not just completed, but completed to the highest standard.

If you’ve ever had an idea sitting quietly in the back of your mind, waiting for the right moment - this might be it. With the right support, even the most ambitious projects can begin with just five days.

Contact me here for more information

Set in my workshop in Coverack, Cornwall, my one-to-one woodworking courses are more than just an intensive 5-day woodworking course, it’s a relaxed, personal experience rooted in traditional woodworking skills. While the teaching is professional and focused, the atmosphere is informal and welcoming, often described by past students as a Cornish woodworking retreat. You’ll spend your days learning through personalised woodworking tuition, with breaks to enjoy home-cooked lunches in our family kitchen or out in the garden when the weather allows. Ideal for beginners and those looking to develop their skills, it’s an immersive woodworking course that combines high-quality teaching with a warm, authentic setting.

]]><![CDATA[How to Sharpen Chisels and Planes: Sharp Tools, Better Woodwork.]]>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:42:24 GMThttps://www.richardbuckinghamfurniture.co.uk/fromtheworkbench/how-to-sharpen-chisels-and-planes-sharp-tools-better-woodworkThis is the first of a series of ramblings on the art of sharpening hand tools. There are many different methods and it is important to try all these until you find one that suits you. This blog will cover the methods that I find successful and to best explain the reasons why I mainly practise free hand sharpening, without the use of honing guides.

If there’s one question I’m asked more than any other, it’s this:
What’s the best way to learn woodworking?
My answer is always the same:
Learn the basics first.

All forms of woodworking share one foundation: mastering hand tools. At the centre of this skill is sharpening. Without sharp tools, work becomes harder, slower, and far less enjoyable. Clean joints and smooth surfaces come from sharp edges, not force.

Why Sharpening Matters

Sharp tools cut cleanly and accurately. Dull tools tear wood fibres, cause fatigue, and lead to frustration. Most woodworking problems come from poor tool setup or blunt edges. When your tools are sharp, your confidence grows, and your work becomes more consistent.
If your joints aren’t clean or surfaces aren’t smooth, it’s often not your technique — it’s your edge.

The Core Tools We’re Talking About

Chisels – for joints, paring, and fine detail
Planes – for smoothing, truing, and thicknessing timber
Spokeshaves – for shaping curves and profiles
Wet stone grinder – for controlled hollow grinding
Whetstones – for honing and polishing
Leather strop – for final edge refinement

The core tools

Sharpening Basics: Grinding and Honing

The wet stone grinder is an excellent machine that allows accurate grinding of tool bevels. The diameter of the wheel naturally creates a shallow hollow. This hollow makes honing faster and more accurate. But common mistakes include;

Grinding at an angle.
Applying the wrong bevel.
Hollow grinding* across the width of a blade (Planes).

*This should not be confused with a hollow ground bevel.

Wet stone grinder

Understanding Angles: 25° vs 30°

To gain a basic understanding of bevel angles, the steeper the angle the more durable the cutting edge. A very shallow angle will produce an extremely sharp edge but will be weaker and wear more quickly. I suppose what we are looking for is a compromise between sharpness and strength which will vary depending on the work being carried out and the wood type.

While a common setup is a 25° primary grind with a 30° honing angle, I am going to explain grinding and honing at 25 degrees when using the wet stone grinder.
The approach for honing is different if you have a flat ground bevel. A secondary honing angle is required to avoid having to polish the entire bevel.

With a hollow grind, a secondary honing angle is not required. You only have two small contact points at the front and back of the bevel. This means that you're honing a minimal amount of steel. It is both quick and accurate as it allows you to maintain a consistent angle during honing. Many grinding angles are workable but 25 degrees is ideal. It allows many sharpenings and enables a secondary bevel at up to 30° when the original 25° bevel is worn out. i.e. the hollow has become minimal.
This setup gives a consistently sharp edge with good retention. It also lets you add a secondary bevel later if needed. If dealing with difficult grain and density of timber, a secondary bevel, or a steeper grinding angle might be needed.

Image close up of a chisels cutting edge showing the polish on the top and bottom of the bevel edge

Note the polish on the top and bottom of the bevel.

Honing and Stropping

Refines the cutting edge using stones and brings it to working sharpness. Techniques like the figure of eight help maintain the correct angle when adding a secondary bevel.**
Using leather for stropping.

Polishes the edge.
Removes any remaining burrs.
Leaves a razor sharp finish.

A pair of chisels sharpened and ready to work

My favourite chisels

Whetstones and Alternatives

Whetstones work best when soaked in water. Coarser stones, like 1000 grit, may need up to 15 minutes if dry. Finer stones, such as 6000–10,000 grit, soak faster and hold water on the surface.
Other sharpening options include diamond stones**, oil stones**, and the Scary Sharp system** (glass plus abrasive films). Each method has strengths. The most important factor is consistency.

Conclusion: Learn the Basics, Master the Craft

Sharp tools change everything. They make woodworking calmer, cleaner, and more satisfying. Mastering sharpening isn’t optional — it separates frustration from fine furniture making.

To learn more and improve your skills, visit: 👉 courses

To watch the accompanying video visit my 👉 YouTube channel

** These techniques will be covered at a later date

This blog covers how to sharpen chisels, how to sharpen plane blades and woodworking sharpening basics, with Richard Buckingham Furniture & Courses.

]]><![CDATA[New Blog for 2026]]>Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.richardbuckinghamfurniture.co.uk/fromtheworkbench/new-websiteHello and welcome to Richard's Blog.
Richard will be writing tool reviews, posting video tutorials, showing off his latest commissions and sharing info on up and coming courses.....
Watch this space!

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