Walsal College partners Liberon in student competition

Students at Walsall College have taken part in a competition set by Liberon, the woodcare experts, to test their carpentry, joinery and finishing skills. Liberon set learners on the college’s Level 2 Bench Joinery course the task of designing, making and finishing a food-facing item using Liberon’s Pure Tung Oil. Course leader, Charles Jones, came up with the idea of asking students to create food chopping boards.

Students were given free rein to come up with a design, mostly using hand tools and working with rough-sawn Oak. They also had access to new equipment recently purchased by the college, including a band saw, CNC Router and planer thicknesser. The latter is used to machine timber down to accurate, consistent thicknesses.

The winning design by Hayley Pitcher featured two parallel stripes of contrasting wood tone and was judged to have beautifully rounded corners and an excellent level of finishing. Two runner-up designs were also agreed by judges, which belonged to students Sulieman Rafi and Brody Garmston.

Richard Bradley, UK Head of Marketing with the competition sponsors, Liberon, says: “Congratulations to Hayley and the two runner-up students. The chopping board designs showcase perfectly the great effects that can be achieved using our Pure Tung Oil. I wish the students well in their future careers.”

Lecturer, Charles Jones, added: “This competition has not only tested the students’ ability to set out accurately, but also to come up with creative designs. In addition, it’s been a great initiative to stretch their skills in using hand tools and push them into trying new equipment and processes. Using jigsaws, for example, and applying chamfers all add up to a good learning experience.”

The entries were judged by staff at the college, and the winner and two runner-ups each won a £25 Amazon voucher provided by Liberon.

When finishing items that are going to come into contact with food such as chopping boards, salad bowls and wooden kitchen work surfaces a premium, natural Tung oil with no additives is the right choice in order to seal and preserve the wood. Liberon’s Pure Tung Oil is hardwearing and provides a long-lasting matt finish. It can also be used externally on oak to help prevent black spots.