Wood Work

Woodwork & Furniture Restoration Drop-In Sessions

Time: Flexible Drop-In Hours (Contact us for current weekly openings)

Location: DSWW Community Workshop, 19 Morshead Street, Ashmont (Pro Patria Centre Grounds)

The woodwork drop-in sessions offer a completely casual, self-paced space where members can get hands-on with timber formatting, construction, and design. These drop-in sessions do not have a rigid, locked-in weekly time slot or a formal curriculum. Instead, the workshop operates on a flexible schedule, allowing you to head down and work whenever the timber workshop bays are open. The overall vibe is highly relaxed and social, giving veterans, current ADF personnel, first responders, and family supporters a pressure-free environment to collaborate, learn classic trade secrets, and work alongside peers who share a common background.

Projects and Learning

Our woodworking setup accommodates everyone, from absolute beginners who want to learn how to operate basic hand tools to experienced carpenters looking to utilize our machinery. If you are starting fresh, you can focus on mastering workshop fundamentals like proper timber selection, measuring, cutting, and using table saws or sanders safely. For those looking for a purpose-driven project, members frequently collaborate on community builds, charity drives, or restoring weathered timber furniture back to life. You are also highly encouraged to bring in your own individual hobby projects from home, whether that is building a custom tool box, framing a shadowbox for service medals, making home decor, or restoring a family heirloom.

Workshop Safety and Gear

Even though working with wood doesn't produce the flying sparks of a welding bay, keeping a safe workshop floor remains our absolute top priority. All participating members must wear appropriate workshop clothing, which includes a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy, full-length pants (such as jeans or heavy cotton drills). Loose clothing, dangling jewellery, and unsecured long hair must be avoided around spinning blades and routing machinery. Sturdy, closed-toe footwear is mandatory across the entire shed floor, with steel-cap boots strongly recommended. The shed supplies all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, dust masks, and hearing protection, though members are always welcome to bring along their own gear.