Ever since I started my beginner’s cabinet making course I’ve been intrgiued by the differences between modern woodworking techniques and the the more traditional methods such as Green Woodworking (like chair bodging).

Why use green wood?

Well Mike Abbott who is, as you’ll read, the guy that ended up teaching me explains in his article of the Summer 2009 edition of Permaculture Magazine that:

Green wood is wood that has not dried or seasoned. Green woodworkers usually start with a fresh log rather than a dry plank for a host of very good reasons. They can be categorised as follows:

• Enhanced strength and quality.
• Better workability.
• Simpler and faster seasoning.
• Much lower cost.
• Numerous advanteges to society.
• Many environmental advantages.

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Building upon the 10 week introductory carpentry course that I did up to Christmas I’ve just booked onto a City & Guilds course in ‘Basic Furniture Making’ at the Malvern campus of Worcester Tech.

I enjoyed the intro course immensely so am hoping to keep the momentum going with this one year, two evenings a week course.

If I get my own way this is one of the first steps towards a new career as some form of woodworker although if that’s not realistic then at least I’ll have the skills to make some kick-ass hobby pieces.