Students at Burton & South Derbyshire College have been put through their paces by Liberon as part of a carpentry and joinery competition.
The woodcare experts called on learners on the college's City & Guilds Bench Joinery course to design, build and finish a side table, using Liberon's Superior Danish Oil.
Teams of three were given 15 teaching hours in total to complete the project. The winning team came up with the idea to use birch plywood to form an eye-catching four-panel upper surface for their minimalist-style table, making use of the grain direction of the timber in order to define the panels. A mix of straight-grain and cross-grain panels resulted in a striking but simple effect, bordered by European oak, which was also used for the table's legs.
"The table designs were fabulous - a real testament to the skills of the students," comments Richard Bradley, Marketing Manager at the competition sponsors, Liberon. "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 should be very proud of what they achieved in this competition. I've been so impressed with their healthy attitude to competing. Being put in a team and asked to design, build and finish a project within a tight time frame has brought out the best in them. The whole process is useful training for real-world, commercial activity.
"Also, it's great that it has introduced them to new skills such as veneering. I've always been a strong advocate of Liberon's Superior Danish Oil, which really brings out the beauty of wood, but this competition has highlighted its attributes even more."
The side table entries were judged by staff at the college 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.
The application of oils is one of the oldest forms of wood finishing. The process results in a natural, hardwearing effect with an unmistakable, beautiful sheen and silky smoothness. A good quality Danish Oil such as Liberon's Superior Danish Oil achieves a lovely satin gloss sheen, whilst also feeding, protecting and adding long life to both hard or soft woods.
Added UV filters help protect against sunlight, which also make this oil great for protecting exposed exterior surfaces, and its resin content means it is resistant to water, alcohol, heat and food acid.
