The most important part of any project is probably the initial stock preparation: without proper preparation no other part of the project can happen, it’s as simple as that. When it comes to preparation you have three options: buy PAR timber, which is relatively expensive; buy rough sawn timber and process it using machines; or break out the hand planes and do it yourself. My preference is for the latter because it’s cheaper, safer…

Phil Edwards has put together this short video to demonstrate how to adjust and fine tune blades in hand made planes. This is the first in a series of video's from Phil, so watch this space for the next installment.

Video is something you'll be seeing a lot more of on GW over the coming months. I'm pleased to say the GW forum is already video friendly. Any GW member can embed video into their forum posts from either YouTube or Google Video.

I've written a quick tutorial below on how to get started. But before proceeding, please read the following guidelines on what sort of video content should and should not be posted.

The Axminster is a smartlooking machine with a white steel body and a smooth cast-iron table. A good solid rip fence is supplied and also a plastic sliding mitre fence. The saw mounted on a steel cabinet base with considerable internal storage space.

The saw itself is strongly constructed and very well fi nished. The blade runs on a pair of cast alloy wheels which are well balanced and easy to adjust. The upper blade guard is alloy…