Power tool training part of furniture making workshop for vision impaired

A FURNITURE making workshop in Melbourne’s north west is training the vision impaired in how to use power tools, including the drop saw.

Eileen Schnabel and Michelle Marsiglia with jewellery boxes they have made through Vision Australia’s Introduction to Furniture Making course. Picture: Josie Hayden

VISION impairment is no barrier to carpentry for participants in a furniture making workshop that involves using tools such as drop saws, belt sanders and pedestal drills.

Eileen Schnabel, who has marfan syndrome, has made a coffee table, bench and chopping block since she started the course at Kensington

“I was extremely nervous about using the drop saws and the bench saws. They were big tools and I was wondering if I was going to come out with my hand attached,” Ms Schnabel said.

“It’s just given me a sense of achievement knowing that I can actually go out and do something on my own.”

Fellow participant Kelly Carkeek travels four hours each way by train from Wodonga and stays overnight in Kensington to do the course.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. We’re on a farm and any kind of skills to do with repairing and building things is very valuable,” she said.

Ms Carkeek, who has been blind since she was six, said it had been “invaluable” learning how to use machinery you could find in any other workshop.

Instructor Brett Behan said participants normally had no experience before starting the course and were surprised at what they were capable of doing.

“Clients are coming in that might have lost their confidence when they lost their vision and may think they can’t do these things anymore,” Mr Behan said.

“A lot of the girls that come in don’t realise what they can do before they start. After a few weeks they start to make some projects, they think it’s unbelievable.”

Some tools they learn to use include a drop saw, wide belt sander, panel saw, buzzer, spindle moulder, pedestal drills, edge sanders and hand tools.

The next intake of participants will start from July 13.

Donations of industrial machinery, such as spindle moulders or scroll saws, can be made by calling 8378 1225.