Woodwork for Beginners - Outdoor Planter Tub for Your Balcony or Patio
Course Overview
Create a solid and timeless planter box, inspired by the Versailles Palace citrus planter boxes.
What you’ll learn
- How to measure, mark, and cut timber
- A mix of basic and advanced hand-tool techniques
- Safe and effective use of hand tools and power tools
What you’ll make
- A great statement piece for your apartment balcony or garden patio
- A container for a lemon tree, or any large plant
On the day
- David will guide you step-by-step as you create your planter box.
- You’ll learn hand-tool techniques for cutting joints, assembling the box, while also getting experience with a power bench sander, power drill/drivers, and a nail gun.
- Students can personalise their boxes with paint or varnish at home, or leave them to weather naturally.
Tools/materials required
- All materials included
- Patterns and jigs to use on the day
- Students may bring their own hand tools if they prefer
Clothing & Safety
- No loose or long sleeves
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Long hair tied back
- Careful attention around the power bench sander
Who this workshop is for
- Complete beginners, no woodworking experience needed
- Adults looking for a calm, fun, hands-on creative day
- Anyone who enjoys making useful, beautiful objects with their hands
- Anyone wanting to learn basic and slightly advanced woodworking in a safe, supportive environment
Take home
- Your own finished planter box
- Knowledge of joint-making, sanding, and finishing
- Confidence to make more personalised wooden items at home
Testimonials
"Lovely small class with an intentive teacher who was patient with all participants. Great project that can be completed on the day allowing you to take something worthwhile home. Our instructor was happy to share his knowledge and provided many tips to help make the process easier. I feel making the planter box just gives the experience and confidence in using different tools allowing a participant to complete other projects at home. A very worthwhile day with a friendly atmosphere.Tip: If you do the class with a partner or friend you get to take home a set of planter boxes - very nice."
David is a stallholder at the Northside Produce Market, held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM—be sure to drop by and check out his woodwork stall!
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David Searson
I’m David Searson, a woodworker, maker and workshop teacher based in Sydney. I craft practical, beautiful pieces from local Australian timbers and have a particular love for traditional techniques, simple tools, and creating functional items for the home and kitchen.
My workshops are beginner friendly and focused on skills you can take home and keep using, whether you’re making a gift, restoring a well loved board, or learning to handle tools for the first time. I aim to blend creativity with clear technique, drawing inspiration from heritage forms, scientific ideas, and classic bush tools.
Helping people gain confidence through making is at the heart of what I do. Whether you’re 18 or 80, there’s something deeply satisfying about shaping wood with your own hands. Most weeks you’ll find me at the local produce markets, selling handmade pieces, chatting with visitors, and offering repairs to keep well used items in service.
If you’re curious, careful, and enjoy learning by doing, you’ll feel right at home in one of my workshops or with a handmade piece from my stall.
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