The continuing adventures of Peg Man - Little Acorn Furniture

I have just finished another order of 100 pegs and was very pleased to receive this picture of the finished frame assembled near Okehampton from local Oak, milled on site by Jim White, White Wood Management.

It looks very nice and as a first framing project it is clearly a complete success.

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Our Courses

Family “greenwood” experience
Alasdair will take you through the basic principles of Green Woodworking and provide the knowledge, tools and materials needed to get you using a pole lathe. Turn as many items as you like using a variety of local hard woods and unlock the full potential of this ancient craft.
Introduction to pole lathing
During this one or two day course, you will get to practice the principles of green woodworking: cleaving and shaping the wood using side axe and draw knife before turning on a pole lathe to produce a range of items - as long as it is round!
Simply stools
This two-day course offers you the chance to produce a simple three or four legged stool with hard wood top and turned or draw knifed legs.
From tree to table
This three day course gives you time to produce a table or bench with stretchered legs using more advanced techniques. The addition of stretchers between the legs allows you to make larger items with more refinement.
Table making course
This four-day course gives you time to explore the intricacies of green wood furniture design to produce a dramatic and unique piece of furniture of your own design.
Chair making course
Over this full four day course you will make and assemble a complete chair from local Ash and Beech. Choosing from one of two traditional designs you will be responsible for shaping all components and joining therm using traditional wedged mortice and tenon joints
Make your own shaving horse
In order to make a traditional shaving horse you will need a pole lathe, in order to use a pole lathe a shaving horse is essential. Get around this catch 22 situation by making your very own shaving horse over two days in Alasdair's fully equipped Greenwood workshop.
Handle making and tool restoration
This is a one day course aimed at giving you the basic knowledge and skills required to make a tool handle of any sore from green Ash. Be it an axe, hammer, chisel or spade you can restore personalise and bring back to life any old tool. We will go back to the days when things were done 'proper' and a tool handle could last a lifetime of use.
Cleft hurdle gate making
Discover the ancient art of gate making using authentic traditional tools and techniques. Using the true nature of the wood to ensure both beauty and strength, start with a freshly cut log and explore the entire process of cleaving , shaping and jointing.
One-to-one tuition
Work and learn at your own pace - receive uninterrupted expert tuition in the art of green wood furniture making and have exclusive access to the range of hardwoods available in the workshop.

What our customer’s say…

Birthday gift from my wife who knew I liked mucking about with wood. Probably the best birthday present I've ever had, I was totally in my element. Alasdair, Simon and Joel make the whole experience interesting, fun and challenging. They leave you to get on with things, if that's what you want, or are always there to help with a helpful demo or gentle nudge in the right direction. At the end you will feel like you've really achieved something e.g turning a log into a working tool, or piece of furniture, all whilst using the same tools and techniques that were used hundreds of years ago. No sounds of power tools here, just the gentle sounds of the forest and some eager woodworkers creating some amazing things from scratch. Seriously, it really is that good.

Kevin Henry

What a fantastic weekend the Simply Stools course was! While the course is primarily about green woodworking, you come away with insight into forestry, general carpentry, and a new appreciation for furniture-making. Working with the traditional tools and techniques is good fun, a great learning experience, and quite therapeutic. By the end of the first day, you'll find yourself working out how to fit a shaving horse in your living room! And of course, Alasdair and his assistants were great throughout -- very knowledgeable and always there to help and give guidance. Overall, a very enjoyable and fulfilling weekend. I can't wait to go back for other courses!

Zach Davis

Took 5 children along to learn carpentry. They all had an amazing time, each made a sword and a baseball bat (their choice). They did everyhthing from sawing the wood to shaping it. Alisdair was so good with them and made sure they each left with finished items. My son who has ADHD was engaged from the start and cannot wait to go again. The parents also had a go and really enjoyed the day too.

Elaine Russell

Great bonding weekend activity with my 14 yr old son. We both learnt lots of skills in a supportive and fun atmosphere. Great set up and very encouraging. Look forward to the next time

John Edwards

Wonderful work on a commission for a special birthday. Documented and photographed from start with cutting the wood, making the top and legs to assembling and final polishing. If you want something special I can not recommend them highly enough. I will be going back for more individual pieces of furniture to be hand made.

Hazel Payne

My family and I recently spent an incredibly happy and gratifying time making a green wood table with Alasdair and his assistant, Simon. I cannot overstate what a special, stimulating and satisfying time it was - working together as a family; learning about the wood, the tools and the processes; and making a table which we will have forever and which will always remind us of that bonding time together. It was genuinely one of the most harmonious and fulfilling things we have ever done as a family and I would highly recommend it to anyone, however inexperienced. I have also never met two more gentle and patient teachers and craftsmen, with two more overdeveloped sets of forearms!

Alice Morgan

I can't recommend Alasdair's courses enough. His passion for natural woodwork and the forests in general is a joy. He makes the experience fun, accessible and very informative. To understand the whole process from starting with a 3 meter long log and ending up with a turned piece was the thing that sold this course to me above others I looked at. I will be back!

Lorna Kennard

We shared a fantastic weekend with Alastair, Simon and Joel making some wonderful hand crafted stools with a great mix of humour, help and encouragement. The workshop is situated in beautiful Dartmoor countryside giving the opportunity to create our own designs from techniques dating back hundreds of years using hand tools and a dose of elbow grease. Alastair has a flexible approach and encourages you to do as much of the work as you can with a bit of hand holding where needed. Overall an unforgettable experience turning a felled tree into a finished piece of furniture over two busy days.

Steve Bessant

Loved the woodworking course, learnt loads and very pleased with the finished stool. Did the 2 day 'Simply Stools' course.

Matthew Bass

Had a Great day at Little Acorn Furniture...had a different requested for Alasdair. I wanted to do some wood carving.... and make a bowl. Alasdair found me some spalted beech. Ended with a lovely looking bowl, my wife loves it . Chuffed to bits with it. Really reccomend a course with him.

Jez Heath

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