A True Craftsman
Christian Cole Furniture designs and hand makes solid timber furniture and architectural joinery using 100% recycled timber or timber sourced from sustainable commercial plantations from around the world. Everything is made in their Melbourne factory.
Each piece is hand crafted using age-old techniques such as Mortice and Tenon Joints and Dovetail Joints contributing to its longevity and creating a valuable piece to be passed onto generations to come.
Timber architectural joinery is a very worthwhile investment, greatly enhancing the feel and value of your home or workspace.
Christian – a qualified Cabinet and Furniture Maker – completed his apprenticeship in 1994 specialising in the construction of solid timber kitchens. He then spent 2 years in the construction industry fitting out large commercial projects. Christian Cole Furniture was established in 2000 now has a loyal following around Australia and abroad.
Christian works with clients to design and craft one off pieces that are lovingly built with the highest quality standards and attention to detail.
Christian explains “I absolutely love what I do so when a customer acknowledges the work I have put into their piece I feel great! I have a great relationship with many of my customers because I’ve made them a number of pieces over the years. Most people know what they want and they want it done perfectly. They can’t make it themselves so they have to rely on me. I look after them.”
Check out the video of Christian Cole below and see the care, attention to detail and the amazing skills that go into every peice of his furniture
Christian uses Festool extensively in his workshop to craft his pieces. From Systainers for storing fasteners or joining tenons to KAPEX compound saws and DOMINO joiners.
Christian explains, "When you pick up a tool to perform well for the job, so you want to know the tool is going to be strong, it's going to run smooth and the cutters that you put in the tool have to be sharp..."
Christian's pieces are well known and publicised through TV shows such as the popular and long-running The Block series. Christian's pieces have had prominence on The Block for many years as he has earned a justified reputation for high-end, sought-after furniture and cabinetry.
"The finished product is very important to us as we come so far with a piece we are working on...and if you haven't done the full 100% on it, well, you are wrecking the job"
It's clear to see why Christian's work is in such high demand. He places a high degree of importance on using the right and correct tool to achieve the finishes he requires. To say Christian is fastidious in his work is an understatement!
"If our tools let us down...it's really frustrating. So when we buy really good quality gear you want to pick up the tool, switch it on and it's all working and it's doing it's job spot-on!"
"It's really important to get good quality tools that last a long time and you've got faith in that tool when you're using it"
"When we get to the final stage of the job where it gets a final sand...we want the finish to perfect...we're trying to compliment the tree as natural as possible as it comes from the property where we've salvaged the tree from"
Christian is clearly not just a bloke with skills that makes furniture. He is truely passionate about creating his product, that includes where the raw materials come from, treating those material with respect and bringing out the hidden beauty that the material deserves and then, seeing the product through to satisfaction and enjoyment from the customer.
A true craftsman in every sense.
Christian Cole“when you pick up a tool you want to know that the tool is going to perform well for the job"
Here's a list of Christian's tools used in this story:
OF 2200 80mm Plunge Router in Systainer
The OF 2200 router offers the most powerful low end torque, highest routing precision, and top ergonomic comfort. Producing a massive 2200 W of power, even routing the thickest, hardest materials is performed to perfection.
DF 700 DOMINO Joining Machine in Systainer
Christian uses a range of Festool sanders depending the task and the job. See the full range and see which one best suit you needs.
Dust Extractors
Christian runs a clean workshop1 This is vital to his employee's health and safety and to his own! It is also critical to ensure Christian achieves the incredible finishes that are so important to his critical eye. See the full range of extractors and see which one is right for your application.
Festool Drills
Christian uses quite a few Festool drills depending the application. See the full range and see which one best suit your needs.
KSC 60 KAPEX 18V Cordless 216mm Slide Compound Mitre Saw
Christian has been testing out the new KSC 60 KAPEX Cordless Compound Saw and achieving great results! See the product for all details including specifications and accessories.
MW 1000 Mobile Workshop Set
The mobile workshop is easy to use and easy to transport, thanks to its ergonomic design and low weight. In just a few steps, the compact unit assembles to become a stable work station with direct access to your tools.
ETS 150mm Random Orbital 5mm Sander in Systainer
The ETS 150/5 eccentric sander is the ideal intermediate sander and, with a 5 mm sanding stroke, achieves an optimum surface quality with a high material removal capacity.
Systainers
Festool Systainer sets have been designed precisely for the purpose of safely storing and transporting high-quality power tools and accessories.
Thanks to Christain, your shopping list is ready below!
Discover more stories like Christian's in some our other helpful Blog Posts and informative video content on Festool Australia TV.
