In this beginner course, you will build a stunning chess table that doubles as a coffee table.

All necessary tools and materials will be provided. During the course, you will use hand tools such as joinery saws, chisels, planes and marking tools. The focus will be on using hand tools, not power tools.

You can choose between two exquisite Australian timbers: Tasmanian Blackwood or Victorian Ash. You can choose to omit the bottom shelf. The glass tabletop features rounded edges is bronze tinted and hardened with a high-quality vinyl decal applied to the underside.

The table’s dimensions are approximately 44cm (H) x 72cm (W) x 58cm (D)). The tabletop includes a cavity under the glass for storing game pieces and is perfectly sized for a backgammon board, offering opportunities for future veneering or crafting projects.

This course is offered in blocks of five consecutive weekly tutor sessions of 4 hours each (20 hours of tuition). We expect most students will require 2 to 3 blocks of sessions (equivalent to 10 to 15 sessions). This allows you to progress at your pace, with guidance and tuition based on your experience.

The cost of materials is $390 to be paid when you first enrol.

This versatile table adds beauty and functionality to any home, serving as a sturdy coffee table while providing the opportunity for timeless, intergenerational gaming enjoyment.

Tom KING

  • Instructor for Chess Table for Beginners and Electric Guitar Making course

Tom designed the chess table for this course and is also a guitar maker/repairer/teacher based in Melbourne.

He studied luthiery in the Netherlands under Frank de Haan, then worked as a guitar maker at Stoney Creek Guitars, as a technician at Homestead Guitars, and as an instructor at De Haan Guitars’ Dutch School of Guitar Making.

Closer to home, he spent several years with Cole Clark Guitars as the Build Team Leader, where he developed an appreciation for the great range of sustainable native tonewoods Australia has to offer. Tom’s background as a Materials Engineer has also helped him experiment with uncommon materials and novel build techniques and features.

A 1.5% credit card fee applies to all bookings with credit card

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