Walsall College students shine in Liberon woodworking competition

Students at Walsall College have been put to the test by Liberon as part of a carpentry and joinery competition. The woodcare experts called on first year learners on the college’s Level 2 Bench Joinery course to build and finish a stool for children, using Liberon’s Wax Polish Black Bison Paste.

Students were handed a specific design by their lecturer and asked to complete the project over fifteen teaching hours in total. Two winning students plus a runner-up were selected from the class by Director of Faculty, Neil Sambrook and Curriculum Delivery Manager, Nathan Hartshorne. The project incorporated Yellow Pine for most of the stools with Tulipwood used to create the circular seats. A laser cutter was programmed by the team at the College’s Digital Innovation Hub to sear in the college logo on the seats.

The two winners, Jake Duckhouse and D’niero Osagie and a runner-up won a £25 Amazon voucher provided by Liberon.

Richard Bradley, Marketing Manager at the competition sponsors, Liberon, says: “The students did a great job. I understand they are all aged between sixteen and eighteen and are new to carpentry and joinery. The standards achieved are a real testament to their skills. We’d like to congratulate the winning students and runner-up, and wish all the students on the course the best of luck in their future carpentry and joinery careers.”

The course leader, Paul Underwood, Lecturer in Carpentry and Joinery, added: “All the students should be very proud of what they achieved in this competition. This challenge has showcased and helped to develop their tool-handling skills; their ability to produce both mortice and tenon and bridle joints; their aptitude for setting out and handling a cutting list; and their proficiency in transferring measurements to the timber used. All in all, a great all-round teaching exercise.  I’ve been so impressed with the way the students have applied themselves to this. I’ve always been a strong advocate of Liberon’s Wax Polish Black Bison Paste, which really brings out the beauty of wood, but this competition has highlighted its attributes even more. I’m hoping we can repeat a similar competition with Liberon next year.”

Waxing furniture has been done for hundreds of years, and whilst traditional beeswax has its place, it is a good idea to seek out a solid wax with a modern formulation, which makes it more hardwearing.  Liberon recommends choosing one with a good content of carnauba wax. Carnauba wax is found on the leaves of the carnauba palm, which is native to north-eastern Brazil. It is known as the ‘Queen of Waxes’, and contributes to the superior durability of the complete wax formulation, making it ideal for nourishing and protecting all types of wood, including lacquers and French polishes. Liberon’s Wax Polish Black Bison has a good content of carnauba wax and, being highly lustrous, makes wood look simply beautiful. Made from a blend of waxes, it provides good resistance to finger and water marks, and is ideal for small surfaces such as chairs. Known for its high quality and pleasant, distinctive aroma, it feeds, polishes and helps to prevent wood drying out, and has traditionally been used on antiques.