STUDENTS at Burton and South Derbyshire College have taken part in a competition set by Liberon to test their carpentry and joinery skills. The woodcare experts called on learners on the college’s Bench Joinery course to design, build and finish a children’s toy, using Liberon’s Palette Wood Dye, Finishing Oil and Black Bison Paste.
Teams of students were given twenty teaching hours in total to complete the project. The winning team came up with the idea to produce a toddler’s stroller incorporating built-in games on its front, shaped holes on its side for posting corresponding-shaped blocks through, and a storage section at its rear for the blocks. The project saw the team using Oak and a variety of softwoods.
Richard Bradley, Marketing Manager at the competition sponsors, Liberon, says: “What brilliant designs the students came up with. They are clearly very talented. We’d like to congratulate the winning team, and wish all the students on the course the best of luck in their future carpentry and joinery careers.”
Course leader, Ian Vanes-Jones, added: “All the students produced some extremely impressive results of which they can be very proud. The investment made by the college in a new CNC router has seen a good return in this task. We asked the students to design, build and finish a project within a tight time frame, and they have risen to the challenge superbly, handling their introduction to new skills really well. I’ve always been a strong advocate of Liberon’s Palette Wood Dye, which imparts great tonal highlights, but this competition has underlined its attributes even more. Having tested the range of colours first it’s been great to see the rich shades that can be achieved using the range.”
The entries were judged by volunteers from a local children’s nursery who agreed that the standard of work was high and that making a choice had not been an easy decision. The three members of the winning team each won a £25 Amazon voucher provided by Liberon.
If woodworkers are trying to achieve a specific finished shade this can be done by mixing any of the 13 colours in which Liberon’s Palette Wood Dye is available. Palette Wood Dye is a quick-drying, top quality, water-based option suitable for either soft or hardwoods. The dye’s formulation includes light stability for excellent colour retention. It is easily absorbed, and its specialist acrylic formula minimises the raising of wood grain.
It is always advisable to check the suitability of surface finishing products for use on real-world children’s wooden toys. The toys featured in this competition are for display purposes only.
See page 12 of our June/July 2024 issue on our Back Issues page.
Liberon: Tel 01797 367555: www.liberon.co.uk
