Skilful sanding remains the key to achieving an attractive and tactile finish to your project - bringing the best out of the natural features of the timber. From hand sanding to the latest power sanding machines, the technology keeps moving on, bringing improvements to abrasives, dust extraction and ergonomics. To help keep you up to date, our stores will be hosting a national sanding demonstration on Saturday 27th April. 
See you there!

Keith Barrett is an artist specialising in publicly sited wood sculpture and land art, his work is designed in response to the character of the environment in which they are set. Keith's work has been featured at the ‘Look Out’ point in Brierdene, Riverside Park Gateway in Gateshead as well as further afield in Inverness, Teesside, Torquay and even Hawaii.

We are pleased to welcome Keith into the store to demonstrate his technique, talk about his unique work and offer advice on different tools and carving accessories. Keith runs the East Coast Carving club based in North Shields, so this is a great opportunity to meet an inspirational woodcarving tutor and get hands-on with this popular pastime.

Arbortech's wide range of quality and innovative woodworking products are highly regarded by professional carvers for their performance and smooth finish. Our in-store expert, Nathan Blythe, will be demonstrating this versatile range of woodcarving power tools and putting the Turbo blade, Contour Sander and Ball Gouge through their paces. If you have not yet tried power carving this is a great opportunity to have a go yourself to discover how easily you can create unique and stunning carvings.

Are you looking for a smoother finish with less noise, longer life and more efficiency?
Axminster's Trade Series planer thicknesser with a spiral cutter block is fast becoming the choice for the professional woodworker. Come along to the store and see Mark Stewart demonstrating the benefits of the AT260SPT.

Precision components and ‘out-the-box’ performance have established Rider planes as a popular choice amongst trade and craft enthusiasts alike. Introduced in 2015, Rider’s reputation as affordable, quality hand tools continues to grow. To re-acquaint our customers with the latest range of Rider bench planes, all stores are hosting a national Rider Planes demonstration on Saturday 25th May. This is your chance to get the best advice on hand plane selection, use and maintenance - and to get hands-on yourself with practical guidance from our store experts.

Chris Fisher, also known as the Blind Woodturner since he lost his sight in 2008, will be in-store covering lathes, chucks, jaws and turning tools.

You will be inspired by Chris as he shares his passion for woodturning. Chris constantly challenges himself, exceeding all expectations and demonstrating how seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome through tenacity and self-belief.

Join us for a demonstration not to be missed as Chris puts his unique spin on the craft of woodturning.