Magazines

Hello and welcome to our special turning issue, which features the perfect mix of tests, exciting new products and some great features for you to enjoy (or at least that’s what I intended!)
I couldn’t help but include above a photo of the hands of our featured pole-lathe turner at work, Gudrun Leitz. She shares her story with us and flies the flag for women turners everywhere, showing that she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty, swing the odd axe and produce a perfect spindle in less than 30 minutes. And while I’m on the topic, you can also see some wonderful pieces of sculptural turning, made by women, men and youngsters, in our centrefold gallery, which shows the top pieces from this year’s AAW International Symposium.
So what else can you expect from GW299? Well, lots! Andy King goes turning mad as he tries out the new Nova Comet II wood lathe, as well as some other top turning kit. He also takes you step-by-step through the process of making an acrylic pen before reviewing a whole raft of top pen-turning kit.
Edward Hopkins meets segmented turner Bryan Cath, whose pieces will leave you scratching your head in wonder, and we also have the last of Michael Huntley’s ‘Woodwork Foundations’ series where he discusses timber.
And if you’re inspired by Gudrun Leitz, then why not learn how to make your very own mini pole-lathe? In ‘Around the House’ Phil Davy makes a rustic garden gate, and if you’re in the market for a spider-proof shed, you’re in luck!  
Les Thorne goes back to basics this month and talks spindle turning so if you need a bit of a refresher, now’s the perfect time! Enjoy!

Tegan Foley, Editor