Axminster Tool Centre - News

EVERYONE’S TALKING TOOLS AT RYCOTEWOOD

As Axminster Tool Centre’s Talking Tools event featuring Lie-Nielsen at Rycotewood Furniture Centre drew to a close on Saturday 13th February, it was generally felt by organisers, demonstrators and visitors alike that the event was both lively and well received.



From L-R: Tom Lie-Nielsen, Lesley Donoghue (OCVC Vice Principal), Chris Hyde (OCVC Programme Manager for Art, Design & Furniture) and Ian Styles (Axminster’s Managing Director)

The Friday morning, which was set aside for students from 9.00am to 11.00am, was well supported by large groups of students from Warwickshire College, New Bucks University, Barking College and Hereford College and, of course, students from Rycotewood which forms part of Oxford & Cherwell Valley College. Students were able to take advantage of the smaller number of visitors between those times giving them an opportunity to interact with American tool legends Tom Lie-Nielsen and Deneb Puchalski, and eminent cabinet makers Robert Ingham and David Charlesworth. On the Saturday visitors had the chance to see John Lloyd in action. The college also put on a series of lectures which were well attended, some having standing room only.



Robert Ingham gathers a crowd

Other demonstrations were from Walter Coffin and John Street of Festool on power tools, Keith Birkett on Leigh jigs, Nick Gibbs (editor of British Woodworking) showing off some blocks planes made by the girls from Oxford High School, and Julia Kalthoff from the Swedish axe company Wetterlings demonstrating various sizes of axe. The UK Workshop internet forum members took a bench as did Axminster hand tool gurus, Jason Breach and Trevor Yates. Unfortunately, Jason broke the tip of his thumb when preparing wood during the lead-up to the show, but as his bench was “have-a-go yourself demo” he managed to cope. One of Axminster’s woodturning experts, Colwin Way, showed how to turn architectural pieces which proved popular with some visitors. At all of the benches, visitors were encouraged to handle and use the tools under the guidance of the professionals.



Axminster’s Jason Breach “has a go” despite his broken thumb

Axminster’s Managing Director, Ian Styles said “This was an exciting and innovative event, bringing together a number of different parties under one roof at this prestigious venue. I would like to thank all those involved, and in particular Rycotewood’s Chris Hyde and Joe Bray for making this event possible. Axminster, as a company, is keen to enhance its relationship with and support places of education. We have received some very positive feedback from visitors and at some point in the future we would definitely like to repeat this event.”

To view the Talking Tools gallery click here.

March 2010

FESTOOL TOOLS FOR TOP FURNITURE DESIGN COLLEGE

Staff and students at Rycotewood Furniture Centre were thrilled to receive a selection of high quality power tools from the prestigious German power tool company, Festool. Axminster Tool Centre played a pivotal role in bringing this about and the tools were presented to the college by Axminster’s High Wycombe store manager, Craig Townsley.




Craig Townsley presenting the Festool tools to Rycotewood‘s Chris Hyde (Programme Manager for Art, Design & Furniture)


On a recent visit to Rycotewood, Axminster’s Managing Director, Ian Styles, noticed that students had little exposure to quality power tools that would be used in a production environment and offer far greater levels of performance and accuracy as well as opening up new horizons with regard to jointing. “It’s my belief that if students are able to experience what good feels like they will spend their money wisely on quality products that will hopefully last a lifetime and finish the work quicker and to a very high standard every time” commented Ian.

Axminster and Festool are both leaders in their own fields, priding themselves on performance and the quality of products they sell. To support the growth of the woodworking industry and strengthen their ties with the world of education they have joined together and donated a selection of high quality power tools to the college. Ian went on to say “We work very closely with Festool so I approached them to see if they would be prepared to jointly sponsor Rycotewood which they agreed to on the basis that the college provides some work by the students for an ongoing exhibition in their foyer at Festool's UK HQ.”




Students admire the selection of tools


Axminster is also providing the college with new machines and fixings from Lamello with a special focus on the Invis jointing system, perfect for radical furniture design.

Rycotewood, which is part of Oxford & Cherwell Valley College in Oxford, is a centre of excellence and has an international reputation for furniture design and restoration. The college ensures that its courses and the pieces students produce are of the highest quality. For more information about Rycotewood courses, please email chyde@ocvc.ac.uk.

January 2010

James Otter 1st	Armando Magnino 2nd	Ehsan Shirini 3rd

TALKING TOOLS at Rycotewood Furniture Centre

Axminster Tool Centre, keen to forge links with the education sector, will be partnering Rycotewood Furniture Centre and hosting a hand tools event at Rycotewood’s base in the Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, Oxford on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th February 2010.

The event will be focusing on the quality range of Lie-Nielsen hand tools and distinguished hand tool specialists, Thomas Lie-Nielsen and Deneb Puchalski, will be displaying their skills.

A host of other well-known and respected names from the world of furniture making will also be talking and demonstrating, among them Robert Ingham, David Charlesworth and John Lloyd together with Axminster’s own Jason Breach and Trevor Yates.

For anyone with an interest in woodturning, Colwin Way will be demonstrating. Visitors will have the opportunity to see first class demonstrations, handle these beautiful tools and put any questions to the experts. At the same time, the Rycotewood Furniture Centre will also be putting on a series of lectures for those interested in subjects such as the history of the college and courses it can now offer, plus an exhibition of the students’ work past and present.

Please note, entry to this event will be free of charge.

For further information about this event please click here.

November 2009

STRICTLY WOODTURNING'S KING OF THE LATHE

Axminster Tool Centre's Strictly Woodturning event which took place on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October at the Axe Valley Community College, Axminster proved to be a well received and popular event.

A total of 90 delegates spent both Friday and Saturday (during the day) attending demonstrations put on by 12 world class woodturners. The relatively small groups resulted in a much more intimate atmosphere and delegates benefitted enormously from the ratio of delegates to turner.


On the Friday evening, attended by 170 guests, delegates and turners, Axminster hosted the Strictly Woodturning event (a variation on a theme of the BBC's popular Strictly Come Dancing) which included a competition in which the 12 turners competed against each other at the lathe and were tasked with producing items such as a vase, goblet and lidded box in an incredibly short 8 minutes. At the end of the first round, the four turners with the most votes (as cast by the delegates in the audience) went through to the semi final. The four were Nick Agar, Jason Breach (local hero), Stuart King and Tracy Owen.

The final was contested between two show men of the woodturning world - Nick Agar and Stuart King. Although Nick had the X factor and was a big hit with the ladies in the audience, Stuart (with great flurries of showmanship including pompoms, balloons and a Halloween mask) ultimately secured the judges' votes and was crowned the winner of Strictly Woodturning 2009. It was generally agreed that it was a uniquely entertaining night.

Delegates also had the opportunity to enter a piece of their own work into the Delegates' Gallery competition. On the Saturday delegates voted as to which piece of work they liked most, 1st prize being awarded to Rod Page of Crewkerne for his Lattice Bowl turned from Laburnum and equal second prize going to Jack Vage of St Austell (Standing Structure) and Mike Tingey from Germany (Pumpkin).

All in all it was a highly successful event. Delegates left the event full of the feel-good factor and clutching a goody bag which some said was the best they had ever had.

wwww.strictlywoodturning.co.uk

October 2009

NUNEATON STORE - 12 OCTOBER

Axminster Tool Centre is proud to announce the opening date of our eagerly anticipated store in Nuneaton! The store, situated on the Bermuda Trading Estate (just off Hamilton Way) will be opening on Monday 12th October and is the fourth retail outlet for Axminster Tool Centre.

This will be our biggest store yet; covering 12,000 square feet of retail space with an enviable range of products.

Not only will this store stock the entire catalogue product range, it also has products from Festool and Mafell which we will only be selling through this store.

The most exciting installation at this new store is 'Festool World'; this shop in shop is probably the largest of its kind in the world!
Festool World Nuneaton will house the entire Festool range and will cover a space of 1000 square feet. Festool World, with its unique display will show the applications of the tools, with a test centre for you to get some hands-on experience. In addition to this a representative from Festool will be visiting the store every week to deliver expert advice.

We hope to see you soon at this exciting and unique shop.

October 2009

TOOLS WITH A MISSION

Tools with a Mission (TWAM) will be holding a stand at Strictly Woodturning to collect a range of tools for repair and renovation to be sent to various projects across Africa and India.

TWAM enables people to earn a living and to support themselves.
In many countries of the world people have few skills, little education and no means of earning a living; A switch from aid dependency to self sufficiency is impossible without help. TWAM started twenty five years ago, and has since then given this help by collecting and refurbishing tools and equipment no longer required in the UK and sending them overseas; If you have any old tools which you no longer use please donate them to this excellent cause.

To find out which tools are currently needed please see: www.twam.co.uk/toolss.html

For more information about TWAM and the work they do, please visit: www.twam.co.uk

September 2009

SCOUTS LEARN TO TURN!

Scouts from the 8th Hampstead Hall School Troop had their first experience of woodturning at their 2009 Summer Camp, thanks to a team led by professional turner Les Thorne RPT and supported by sponsors Axminster Tool Centre, WL West, Hamlet Tools, Chestnut Products, and the Worshipful Company of Turners.

Some 35 Scouts aged 10-13 years had individual tuition and all produced a sycamore bowl for use on the scout camp and to take home as proof of their new skills. Marcus Gaved, 11 years, said "it was completely brilliant" and that he had no idea that it would be such fun. He and many other Scouts said that they would like to learn more about woodturning

Axminster Tool Centre provided all the safety equipment for the scouts helping them to enjoy this experience and learn a new skill. It is encouraging that the younger generation are excited about this experience and we hope they continue this hobby in the future. It gave the boys a real sense of achievement and something to be proud of. All the Scouts who took part in the woodturning will be able to count it towards their Creative Challenge, one of nine Challenge Awards that Scouts strive to achieve.



We hope the scouts pursue their new interest in woodturning and one day to see some of them attending a course at our Skill Centre. Woodturning is a rewarding and enjoyable past time, one which we are keen on ourselves, which is why we are hosting our very own woodturning event this year, Strictly Woodturning.

August 2009

TOP WOODTURNING AWARD PRESENTED TO JASON BREACH

The biennial AWGB Seminar took place over the weekend of 7-9 August at Loughborough University. Among the various woodturning activities and demonstrations held at the seminar, there is a competition into which attendees are invited to enter a piece of their work; these are then judged by a panel of professional turners.

Axminster Tool Centre is delighted to announce that our own Jason Breach produced the winning piece and was awarded the coveted Tony Boase Memorial Award for the Best Original Turned Item.

At the seminar what’s referred to as an “Instant Gallery” is set up from work produced by participating attendees. On the Saturday up to 6 pieces were selected and given an instant critique by judges Bert Marsh, Ray Key and Mike Mahoney. “This is where they kindly rip your piece apart and pick out all the faults” says Jason wryly. Jason entered 3 pieces of work: a fluted cube box, a jelly fish box and a box from his Orbital Ark series made of Goldfield burr. The Orbital Ark box was the one the judges selected to critique in front of an audience of more than 200 people.

The “Instant Gallery” had over 300 items on display. When talking about Jason’s piece of work, Bert Marsh commented: “It is such a shame that the general delegates do not get the chance to pick up and handle items of work on display. A piece of work, that may look simple to make, is only understood when you can fully see the skill involved in making it”.

The Tony Boase Memorial Award, in the form of an ash platter, was presented to Jason by Jackie Boase (wife of the late Tony) at the banquet held on the Saturday evening. Jason gets to keep the trophy for 2 years until the next AWGB Seminar in 2011. Congratulations Jason, Axminster is very proud of you.
For more information about Jason Breach click here

August 2009

EXCITING NEWS - AXMINSTER OPENING NEW STORE IN NUNEATON

Axminster Tool Centre is pleased to announce that it will be opening a new store this autumn in Nuneaton. The new store, scheduled to open mid October, will be located at Bermuda Trade Park off Hamilton Way and will be the 4th retail outlet in the Axminster group.

The new store will be our biggest store yet, covering 16,000 sq feet and displaying over 10,000 products, including all the top brand names. It will also incorporate some shop-in-shops with an area dedicated to the impressive Festool World. As with all our other stores, Nuneaton will host regular demonstrations and supplier days, and staff will be trained to a high standard to offer excellent customer service and technical advice.

Please keep an eye on our stores page for news on how the store is progressing.

July 2009

AXMINSTER SIGN UP RANGEMOORS TO DISTRIBUTE WOOD BURNING BOILERS

Axminster Tool Centre is delighted to announce that Rangemoors, the Devon-based stove and cooker specialists, are now distributors for the full range of Rojek wood burning boilers across Devon and Cornwall.

Rangemoors, renowned for quality products, bring together three well known brands that have been working together for many years. Traditionally known as South West Woodburning Centre, Flue & Chimney Specialists and Solid Fuel Appliance Spares, the three divisions joined together to become Rangemoors in September 2008.

Contact details for Rangemoors are as follows:
Address: The Airfield, Torrington Road, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8HR
Email: stovesandcookers@rangemoors.co.uk
Tel: 01837 83333
Fax: 01837 83777

Rojek boilers have optimum efficiency and patented technology, surpassing the vast majority of boilers on the market, including those made of cast iron, with their anticipated service life and standard warranty period, resulting in less cost to the environment and a greener money saving future.

We are currently looking for regional suppliers and installers throughout the UK for our range of products. Companies or persons with suitable heating/boiler experience should contact us now! For more information please call 0845 0707870 and ask for Ann Hobson or email ann.hobson@axminster.co.uk.

July 2009

AXMINSTER STAFF RIDE FOR FORCE CANCER CHARITY

Once again, Axminster Tool Centre staff will be taking part in the annual FORCE Cancer Charity sponsored cycle on Sunday 28th June 2009. This date marks the 10th Anniversary of 'Ride for Life' now known as the FORCE 'Century Cycle Challenge'.

This year twenty five members of staff from all parts of the company and a few dedicated spouses will be participating in both the 100 mile and 55 mile routes which start at Topsham Rugby Club in Devon and continue up the Exe valley to Tiverton. The 100 mile route continues to Dulverton, then across Exmoor before turning south to re-join the 55 mile ride, both cutting across Mid-Devon and returning to Topsham.

Team Axminster are raising money through Just Giving for the FORCE Cancer Charity. FORCE is an organisation set up to help and support cancer sufferers and their families. It is an established cancer charity based in Exeter, Devon. Its work finances improvements in patient care through research, the purchase of advanced equipment and the Information and Support Centre located in the grounds of the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

The event now attracts 400 men and women from across the county and raises in excess of £40,000 for the FORCE Cancer Support Centre in Exeter.

Read more...

June 2009

FINE CRAFTED WOOD COMPETITION FOR TRAINEE FURNITURE DESIGNERS/MAKERS

We would like to let you know about an exciting furniture competition being organised by the New Forest Trust and sponsored by Axminster Tool Centre.

Axminster Tool Centre and The New Forest Trust in conjunction with the New Forest and Hampshire County Show are pleased to announce that the Fine Crafted Wood Competition will be held leading up to the Show, taking place on Tues 28th, Wed 29th and Thurs 30th July 2009. Last year the Show received over 100,000 visitors. The competition is open to anyone over 16 years of age who is training to become a designer/maker of fine crafted furniture.

Prizes in the form of vouchers worth over £2,500 have been donated by Axminster Tool Centre with a first prize of £1000 to the winner! Prizes are as follows:

Trainee Furniture Makers' Competition
•  1st Prize - £1000
•  2nd Prize - £400
•  3rd Prize - £200

The People's Choice
•  1st Prize - £700

The Children's Choice
•  1st Prize - £300

If you are over 16 years of age and enrolled in a full or part time training course then why not take a look at the New Forest Trust's website and enter? The closing date for entries is midnight on Sunday 31st May 2009.

Final judging will take place at the New Forest Trust's Fine Crafted Wood Exhibition in the New Forest and Hampshire County Show on Monday 27th July during the evening before the show starts. The judges for this year's competition are Paul Gower, George Morgan and Matthew Burt. More detailed information is available on the Trust's website where trainees can download a copy of the rules and entry form.

The exhibition was conceived as a way to widen public awareness of the availability and opportunity to own furniture made from locally grown wood by top class craftsmen. To this end competitors are given the opportunity to use timbers from local woodlands provided by the Trust.

This year in addition to the furniture on display, visitors will be able to watch woodturning demonstrations by craftsmen using woodworking equipment provided by Axminster Tool Centre.

Students and trainees who enter this prestigious competition will also have the chance to gain national recognition and an early boost to their careers in furniture making.

For more information please contact:

The New Forest Trust,
New Park Farm,
Brockenhurst,
Hampshire
SO42 7QH
T: 01590 623003
E: trust@newforesttrust.org.uk
W: www.newforesttrust.org.uk

March 2009

AXMINSTER TOOL CENTRE OPENS NEW STORE IN HIGH WYCOMBE

Axminster Tool Centre has recently opened a third new retail outlet. The new store, which opened on 2nd February, is located at Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe and comes as welcome news in the face of continuing economic downturn.

The new store occupies approximately 17,000sq feet, is situated in an area well known for woodworking and furniture making and is easily accessible from much of the south eastÕs motorway network. The store will eventually provide a number of new job opportunities in the local area, thereby bucking the national trend of rationalisation and rising unemployment. Initially the store is being run by existing Axminster staff from both Devon and Kent.

For those who have not come across Axminster Tool Centre before, the company is a family-run business based in Axminster, Devon, and is the UKÕs largest supplier of tools, machinery and accessories. The company operates across the multi-selling channels of mail order, web and retail stores, with other trade outlets in Axminster, Devon and Sittingbourne, Kent.

Axminster is perhaps best known for its catalogue - 600 pages of more than 12,000 products and packed with lots of useful information. It is widely regarded by many customers as the essential guide for all tool and machinery users.

The new Axminster Tool Centre at High Wycombe offers a vast product range of over 10,000 lines and is designed to appeal to a customer base varying from the professional tradesperson to the discerning home user. As is the case with all channels of the Axminster Tool Centre business, customer service at the new store will operate at a first class level.

Axminster Tool Centre's Managing Director, Ian Styles, said "This is great news for the company. It will provide us with a very exciting opportunity to expand our business and reflects how far we have come in establishing ourselves as the UK's leading tool and machinery supplier."

February 2009

AXMINSTER TOOL CENTRE TAKES PART IN DEVON CAR FREE DAY

Did you know it was Devon Car Free Day on Monday 22 September?

Employees of Axminster Tool Centre both at Weycroft Avenue and Trafalgar Way entered into the spirit of Devon Car Free Day, using the event to raise money in support of local sports facilities at Cloakham Lawn.

Tone Whitehurst and Laurie Forino of Axminster Tool Centre present a cheque to Bob Wallace and Andrew Moulding of Cloakham Lawn. (Pictured L to R: Tone Whitehurst, Bob Wallace, Andrew Moulding and Laurie Forino)

Workers throughout Devon were given the opportunity to do their small bit for the environment by leaving their cars at home and coming to work for the day using a different method of transport. At Axminster Tool Centre staff walked, cycled and one even arrived on stilts! The company also organised a mini bus to pick up those living en route between Axminster and Beer, and of course take them home again.

For its part, the company donated £5 for every empty car parking space - 28 in all, and matched every £1 donated by employees with £2. As a result, over £365 was raised and presented to Cloakham Lawn.

2 October 2008

AXMINSTER TOOL CENTRE SET TO OPEN NEW STORE

Axminster Tool Centre revealed this week that it is planning to open a third new store. The new store, scheduled to open early in the New Year, will be located at Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe and comes as welcome news in the face of continuing economic downturn.

The new store will occupy approximately 17,000sq feet, situated in an area well known for woodworking and furniture making and will be easily accessible from much of the south east's motorway network. The store will, of course, provide a number of new job opportunities thereby bucking the national trend of rationalisation and rising unemployment.

For those who have not come across Axminster Tool Centre before, the company is a family-run business based in Axminster, Devon, and is the UK's largest supplier of tools, machinery and accessories. The company operates across multi-channels of mail order, web and stores, with existing trade outlets in Axminster, Devon and Sittingbourne, Kent.

Axminster is perhaps best known for its catalogue - 600 pages of more than 12,000 products and packed with lots of useful information. It is widely regarded by many customers as the essential guide for all tool and machinery users.

The new Axminster Tool Centre will offer a vast product range of over 10,000 lines and be designed to appeal to a customer base varying from the professional tradesperson to the discerning home user. As is the case with all channels of the Axminster Tool Centre business, customer service at the new store will operate at a first class level.

Axminster Tool Centre's Managing Director, Ian Styles, said "This is great news for the company. It will provide us with a very exciting opportunity to expand our business and reflects how far we have come in establishing ourselves as the UK's leading tool and machinery supplier."

Click here to find out more about our stores

September 2008

AXMINSTER STAFF CYCLING FOR CANCER CHARITY FORCE

Axminster Power Tool Centre staff will be participating in the annual FORCE 'Century Cycle Challenge' on Sunday 29th June 2008.

Eleven members of staff from throughout the company will be participating in the 55 mile route which starts at Topsham in Devon and continues up the Exe valley to Tiverton before cutting across Mid-Devon, turning south and returning to Topsham.

The Axminster team are raising money through Just Giving for the FORCE Cancer Charity. FORCE is an organisation set up to help and support cancer sufferers and their families. It is an established cancer charity based in Exeter, Devon. Its work finances improvements in patient care through research, the purchase of advanced equipment and the new Information and Support Centre located in the grounds of the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. In last year's event there were more than 450 riders who contributed over £34,000 to the work of the FORCE Cancer Charity.

Click here to read more and find out how you can help.

May 2008

AXMINSTER POWER TOOL CENTRE

SET FOR REGIONAL FINAL

Axminster Power Tool Centre has reached the regional final of the Coutts Prize for Family Business 2007/08.

The Coutts Prize for Family Business was launched in 2005 and is endorsed by various prestigious organisations including the British Chamber of Commerce, Cranfield School of Management and BDO Centre for Family Business.  This year there are three turnover categories: £1-5 million, £5-25 million and £25 million plus.

The aim of the award is to provide exceptional family businesses with overdue recognition and to showcase their achievements for the benefit of others. In the space of just two years, the Coutts Prize for Family Business has become not just a highly sought after accolade, but also a widely valued source of insight and inspiration.

Axminster Power Tool Centre will join 14 other finalists at an award ceremony being hosted at Goodwood House, Sussex on 13 March. National winners of the three categories will be selected from the regional finalists later in the year.

January 2008