The dovetail tray is the 4th project I have now worked on from Tom’s various excellent kits, following on from the lap-joint box and then the jointed picture frame (x2). In all cases the videos and materials provided are high-quality and have been perfect to improve my skills on my woodworking journey. Tom was also very responsive to some questions I’ve had along the way, and provided great guidance on fixing a couple of mistakes I made, which were as a result of me rushing a couple of steps. I am now planning to tackle some of the projects from Tom’s Working with Wood book, which was a very useful guide to get me set up initially, and provides further great guidance to enhancing woodworking skills.

Really enjoyed building the wooden tray – learnt lots of new skills and got a chance to buy some really cool Japanese tools!

Videos were really informative – made it easy to get it right.

I got the kit earlier in the year along with a set of the tools. The set is good because it takes you through everything. It even includes making a bench hook (where you will be doing your cutting etc) and a couple of small practice pieces. I enjoyed making that too! It comes in a fairly sturdy cardboard box which I used to store everything in whilst I was working on the box.

The videos are good; I ended up watching them twice to make sure I’d got everything. I did email Tom about one thing (I wanted to try a slightly different approach), and he gave a really helpful response.

I would recommend getting the kit too; the tools are good quality and the chisel comes sharpened which is important if you’re new to woodworking (best not to have to faff about with that immediately).

I enjoyed it; I’m going to get the dovetail kit next (for Christmas). I might well get the walnut version too.

I was bought your lap joint box project kit by my partner for my birthday and have just completed it and wanted to let you know how much I loved doing this. I have a growing interest in woodworking, its something I have dipped into over the last 2/3 years and the lap joint box is my 3rd project – the others being a stool and a wood turned bowl – and by far the most enjoyable and satisfying. I loved how I could take my time over this project (which I did especially when it came to sanding) and thought the videos were extremely informative and easy to follow. Like you said, I have learnt a lot making this box, and would do things differently next time around but I’m really happy with what I produced.

Excellent project for learning woodworking skills, I really enjoyed the process from cutting the pieces and making my first lap joint through to the final sand and oil finish. Tom’s videos are incredibly informative guiding you step by step through the process as well as being quirky and engaging to watch. I would definitely recommend and I’m looking forward to trying another project soon.