Can an absolute beginner make a timber box in one day? Yes, you can.
A one-day beginners’ woodwork class at Rural Hall, 10 minutes off the Barton Highway. You choose the timber, you use the tools, and you go home with a box you made yourself. Lunch is included.
Nobody wants me in the workshop!
Hi, I’m Robyn. Otherwise known as Robyn from Select Custom Joinery, or “Gino’s wife”.
People often ask me, “Do you work in the workshop?” Nobody wants me in the workshop! Gino has always been the master in there, and he’s never needed me getting under his feet.
And yet here I am… in the workshop… holding a box… that I made. Yep! I made it! It even looks pretty good, like I know what I’m doing. If I do say so myself.
So why now? Gino has decided it’s time to share the joy of woodworking with those of us who don’t want to learn the trade.
The truth is, it takes time and skill to get a good result. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Gino has been working with timber for nearly 40 years, so his standards are high. He’s built a step-by-step process so even someone like me can build a box in a day and get a good result.
(Ok, Gino stepped in a couple of times to “help” me. But I did most of it!)
Meet Gino
Gino has loved working with timber ever since he was a kid, and started his apprenticeship at 15 as a fine furniture maker.
Back then, the boss would hand the furniture building to Gino and walk out the door. That lack of supervision wouldn’t happen these days, but times were different. He learnt to solve problems for himself!
About three years into his apprenticeship, he thought he was missing skills because he didn’t know how to build a kitchen. So he got a job with one of the largest joinery shops in Canberra at the time and quickly learnt to build standard HMR board kitchens. By 21 he was project managing a $2 million commercial joinery fit-out, and learning about quality assurance, OH&S (it’s called WHS now!) and how to work with builders and architects.
Along the way he met Robyn. In 2000 they got married and started Select Custom Joinery, all in the same year. The business has been evolving ever since.
Today Gino has nearly 40 years in the industry. Select Custom Joinery works only with timber and sustainable materials. Gino’s designs combine traditional furniture making with modern tools and processes like computer-aided design, and every project is designed to be practical, durable and beautiful.
Gino is a problem solver. If a job needs something that doesn’t exist, or that he can’t source, he designs it and gets it made: hinges for a record cabinet, new processes to bring out a design, a DIY installation system for plywood and timber kitchens… and woodworking projects that beginners can make in a day or a weekend with a high-quality result.
He designed Build a Box in a Day especially for beginners: a taste of working with timber, a high-quality box to take home, and a cracking day at the same time.
What you’ll make, and how
A timber jewellery or document box with finger-jointed corners, a raised panel lid and hinges. It’s big enough to hold A5 documents.
Pick your timber and style
Choose from the timbers Gino has ready, and a box style he’s worked out for a one-day build.
Use hand tools
Plane and shape your timber by hand. Gino shows you how first. (I see you, hand plane.)
Use the workshop machines
The drill press and the panel saw. Gino shows you first and watches closely. Panel saw, here we come!
Put it together (and have lunch)
Glue-up, lid and finishing touches. You take it home with the oil and instructions to finish it yourself.
Safety comes first. Gino keeps a close eye on everyone, all day.
What people say
The photos from every class look much the same: people grinning and holding a box they made. Here’s what they said.
“It was a wonderful learning experience in a warm and welcoming environment. Robyn and Gino were wonderful, encouraging hosts. Gino’s knowledge and patience made a daunting task achievable.”
“I had an excellent time and my box has been fully oiled and is now complete. I’m very happy with the finished product. Thanks for the excellent day and lunch.”
“I really enjoyed it all the way from the chat and coffee at the start through to the end. The highlight was spending the day in the fantastic workshop and being given information and instruction from Gino. He is very knowledgeable and is able to pass that information on in a clear way that gives you the confidence to have a crack. I liked that Gino gave us the space to implement the skills and use the machines in a way where you knew he was there if you needed him, but wasn’t taking the ownership of building the box off you. He was also very approachable, personable, good sense of humour. Cracking day. I love the box, and have been inspired to get into woodworking.”
Is this for you?
This is for you if:
- You’ve never touched a hand plane and you’d like to
- You want to make something real, not just watch someone else do it
- You’d like a day out doing something different, on your own or with a friend
- You like the idea of giving (or keeping) something handmade
It’s probably not for you if:
- You want to learn the trade. This is one day, not an apprenticeship
- You want to design your own piece from scratch
Keen to design your own piece? Get in touch.
Fair warning: you’ll be bragging about this box for years.
The day at a glance
- Next class
- Saturday 24 October (more dates on the booking page)
- Times
- 8:45am start, finished by 4:30pm
- Where
- Rural Hall, 10 minutes off the Barton Highway
- Cost
- $550 per person
- Class size
- Max 6, so Gino’s never far away
- Included
- Your timber, all tools and machines, Gino’s help all day, lunch
- You take home
- Your box, plus the oil and simple instructions to finish it at home
- Wear
- Closed-in leather boots, and layers to suit the weather. You will get dirty!
- Minimum age
- 16 years
Questions people ask
I’ve never done any woodwork. Will I keep up?
Yes. The class is built for beginners, and Gino goes step by step. If I can do it, you can.
Is it safe?
Gino shows you each machine first and watches closely while you use it. With no more than 6 in the class, he’s never far away. We’re insured for the classes.
What’s included?
Your timber, the use of all the tools and machines, Gino’s help all day, and lunch. All for $550 per person.
Why isn’t my box oiled before I leave?
Nobody wants to carry a wet box home. You’ll take home the oil and simple instructions, so you can give it its finishing coat in your own time.
Can I bring a friend?
Please do. Just book a spot each. Classes are capped at 6.
What if I’m sick on the day?
If you’re unwell, we’ll book you into the next class that suits you. If Gino’s unwell, we’ll contact you to rebook.
Stuck for a Christmas present?
Give someone a day in the workshop and a box they’ll keep forever. It suits the person who has everything, and the one who “can’t do anything with their hands”.
A voucher covers one spot ($550), and they pick a date that suits them. It arrives by email and is valid for 12 months.
One day. Real timber. Gino beside you. A box you’ll be bragging about for years.
Next class Saturday 24 October, 8:45am–4:30pm. Only 6 spots per class.
Book your spot – $550Questions? Call the office on 02 6230 9414 or email [email protected]