My late dad penned his name and address on the canvas auger drill bit tool roll in the image above around 1953, when he started his carpentry apprenticeship in Edinburgh, before going onto a 22-year career in the army. Although he didn’t continue his career in carpentry, he spent his life doing multiple projects, and introduced me to woodwork properly around the age of 9. The small Stanley plane in the photo was my favourite tool for shaping the numerous blocks of wood I turned into ship hulls, he would then often take me to launch at sea under the giant spans of the Forth Bridge, handwritten note from me sealed inside, for the person I imagined finding it on a beach in Africa or Australia years later. I still have all of his old tools, some of which he bought new and paid for throughout his apprenticeship and others he got secondhand, which now must be around 100 years old. I love having these tools, they conjure up so many memories, from the old tool scent they still hold, from the wood, the oils, and just the weight and solidity in the hand, there has never been a modern hand tool or power tool, of which I have many, that come close to how these old classics feel.

My career has been in a very specialised field of science and engineering, highly technical with a critical focus on detail, precision and absolute quality in execution, for clients in industries from Formula One to Mars lander missions, and whilst that career is a world away from carpentry, I have enjoyed doing ‘projects’ for myself, family and friends for over 20 years. I was always being told I should do it professionally but it’s never been a serious consideration, more something of a passion and hobby, not to mention an intolerance for the quality of work I routinely see from so-called professional tradesmen.

What I’m doing now has given me the opportunity to pursue my love of design and craftsmanship, and to do what I have done for myself and others for many years, but for a wider group of people, to do it on a professional basis.

So that’s the story, hopefully one that gives a sense of why quality of work, pride of work and commitment to what I could do for you is deep routed, that it means something and you will see it in my work and service. I hope you like the images of past projects and feel inspired, if so… get in touch and let’s get creative!