The Job and What's Involved

The making of furniture is dependent on four basic skills- wood machining, upholstering, french polishing and cabinet making. During training, it is usual to cover two or more of these skills. The qualified craftsperson will however only be involved in one or two areas.

Wood Machining involves:

• Setting up the machines according to what has to be cut.
• Measuring and marking where the wood has to be cut.
• Cutting and shaping the pieces of wood ready for assembly.
• Using other tools such as saws, lathes, drills, sanders and planers as required.

Upholstering involves:

• Fixing springs into position using nails, staples or glue.
• Fixing padding into position.
• Cutting and fixing covers by tacking, stapling and stitching.
• Tacking hessian or canvas to base.
• Fixing on castors.
• Sewing on braid, buttons or other trimmings.
• Stripping off old fabric, springs etc. if reupholstering is required.

French Polishing involves:

• Preparing the piece of furniture by cleaning marks off it with sandpaper.
• Removing old paint or varnish with a chemical stripper.
• Sanding and smoothing the work surface and filling any holes.
• Polishing by hand until the required colour and finish is reached.

Polishing in factories is more automated, with French polishers finishing the parts that machining cannot reach.

Cabinet Making involves:

• Using all the furniture making processes from machining to upholstery.
• Producing a piece of furniture from start to finish.
• Possibly designing the piece of furniture or following technical drawings.
• Measuring and marking the wood pieces accurately.
• Cutting and shaping the wood with a variety of tools.
• Assembling the wood to make the piece of furniture.
• Fixing the pieces of wood together.
• Polishing and finishing it.

Education and Training

Formal academic qualifications are not usually required. Some employers may ask for certain subjects showing basic literacy, numeracy and an ability to work with your hands.

Training

You can enter employment and train on the job. Many people take a Jobskills training programme in some aspect of furniture manufacture before entering employment. Your nearest Training and Employment Agency office can give you details of what is available in your area.

Prospects

There is a demand for trained people to enter the industry.

You could work in a furniture factory, the workshop of a furniture shop or a small workshop specialising in reupholstering furniture.

Good bonuses exist where a payment-by-results scheme is in operation.

There are opportunities for promotion to supervisory/management positions.

Get Further Information

BFM (British Furniture Manufacturers) Training Limited, 30 Harcourt Street,
London W1H 4AA  Tel: (020) 7724 0851  Website: www.bfm.org.uk

 

Careers information and vocational qualifications change rapidly. The information in this career note was accurate at the time of going to print, but readers should check it with professional bodies or careers advisers before making decisions.