SHORT COURSE IN WOODWORK
NEW! One-on-one woodwork lessons now available.
These personal woodwork lessons are tailored to suit your individual requirements.
WELCOME TO THE MERCURY SCHOOL OF WOODWORK WEBSITE
Based in Cape Town, The Mercury School of Woodwork offers you the opportunity to rediscover the age-old craft of woodwork.
Whether you are a complete novice or a seasoned woodworker wanting to brush up on technique, you’ll find the course that suits you. Our youngest students were at Grade 8 level and the oldest at 72 years!
The school was established in 2006 with the aim of providing students with the opportunity to gain knowledge of woodwork techniques, materials, machinery and finishes in a friendly, fun and safe environment. Our small classes ensure the perfect balance between shared learning and individual attention.|
We currently offer Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced courses in our Foundation in Woodwork program. The three Foundation in Woodwork courses are also offered in the form of the Intensive Course, when all fifteen lessons are completed over five days, from Monday to Friday. This course has proved to be very popular with students from all over South Africa and overseas.
For more advanced students our Cupboard Building & Installation Course is available for anyone who wants to learn the business side of the building and installing kitchen or bedroom built-in cupboards. This course follows the week after the Intensive course, offering a comprehensive two-week carpentry program.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR WOODWORK COURSES?
If you are looking for course information click here. Alternatively, send us a message and we will get in touch!
SPECIAL COURSES
MEET THE TEAM
Buster Tinsley
Our foundation courses are conducted by F R (Buster) Tinsley, a UCT Law graduate who has found woodwork to be his real passion. Buster has over 40 years’ experience in woodwork as well as a recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment done. There is most likely very little in woodwork that Buster does not know something about. He loves passing on this knowledge.
Listen to Buster’s interview on Cape Talk Radio: CLICK HERE
Brendan Tinsley
Our Cupboard Building & Installation Courses are led by Brendan Tinsley. Brendan has been running his own custom woodworking business for over 10 years. He designs, builds and installs a variety of projects with his team at Tinsley Woodcrafters. He also collaborates with interior designers, architects and contractors on many projects. You can check out his work here on Instagram.
Brendan was fortunate enough to grow up in his father’s workshop learning about woodwork and tools. He has turned his hobby into a successful career over the last decade. Brendan creates a wide variety of projects ranging from built-in cupboards for kitchen, bathrooms & bedrooms to hardwood furniture items such as servers, tables and chairs. With a wide variety of skills, knowledge and techniques Brendan is passionate about woodwork and enjoys imparting his knowledge and tricks of the trade to our students.
OTHER COURSES AVAILABLE
We also offer the following courses on-demand:
- Router Use Level 1 & 2
- Wood Jointing (Modern & Traditional)
- Door Hanging
- Introduction to Wood Turning – Lathe