Magazines

Dave Long’s corner summerhouse with cathedral roof

Our April issue is here and we think you’re going to like it! With spring now upon us, what better way to celebrate more workshop time than by getting in there and unleashing your creativity. We have some fantastic projects for you to make, starting with Dave Long’s corner summerhouse with cathedral roof, which is the perfect project for the warmer months ahead. Dave shares every detail here, including a full set of SketchUp diagrams, which can be accessed online via the SketchUp Warehouse. Another slightly unusual project, but one with equal merit, is Niall Yates’ tofu press, made using redwood, which not only works a treat but is also more affordable than other presses out there. Will Holman’s modern take on the classic campaign desk is an expansive, super-sleek command centre for the modern worker, and Dustin Penner uses wood destined for the firewood pile to turn a fun project. If you want to add some Danish charm to your living room, then Janice Anderssen’s simple table design may well be just what you’re looking for, before Phil Davy makes good use of his router to ensure that the oak is the timeless star in his pair of simple mantle clocks. And finally, wishing to mark a special occasion, Les Thorne gets inspired by cricket season and creates a realistic trophy using pieces of sapele, ash and padauk.

Allowing a collection bag to overfill like this makes it more difficult to change, says John Bullar

We also have a few excellent technique articles for you to enjoy, starting with John Bullar’s guide to collecting dust from furniture making. As he shows, there’s no escaping the fact that making wooden furniture produces copious amounts of dust, especially when the workshop uses powered tools and machinery. Peter Bishop also brings us another instalment from his ‘understanding wood’ series, and this month explores the history of applying and using decorative timbers, as well as looking at how mechanisation has moulded this process.

Neal Crampton’s stunning dining table is made using a Scottish elm board

This month’s cover star and featured maker is the great Shane Skelton of Skelton Saws - based in a small workshop in North Yorkshire, Shane and his wife Jacqueline work tirelessly to create the finest examples of handmade English craftsmanship – bespoke saws that are designed to last a lifetime - as we discovered. Andy King also reports from last year’s DeWalt FlexVolt launch in Barcelona, as he attended the unveiling of their revolutionary new FlexVolt battery system, and the results speak for themselves… In ‘Centrefold’, Neal Crampton shares the story of how he went about doing justice to a stunning Scottish elm board, and in ‘End-grain’, Edward Hopkins ponders the present imperfect.

The Vesper 7in blackwood infilled try square in use

In ‘Kit & Tools’ we have some excellent kit on the bench, starting with the Vesper 7in blackwood infilled try square, which Phil Davy absolutely loved - so much so that he couldn’t bring himself to send it back and ended up buying it! He also takes a closer look at the Bosch GKF 12V-8 Professional cordless router, which is ideal for creating edge profiles or laminate trimming, before Jamie Smith puts Triton Tools’ five-piece chisel set through its paces. Perfect for beginners, this set includes a wide range of sizes and the shaped handle allows for easy thumb pushing. Lastly, Edward Hopkins is a big fan of the Dowelmax jig, and thinks it’s the ultimate solution to your dowelling requirements, as it is guaranteed to offer the right result each and every time.

And what better way to welcome spring than with the inclusion of two competitions! Yes, you can be in with the chance of winning 1 of 5 Triton five-piece chisel sets as well as 1 of 5 safety glasses bundles, courtesy of Nothing But Safety Glasses. Further details can be found inside the issue, so don’t delay in entering today! As well as all this we also have your usual favourite pages, including news and courses as well as ‘Around the House’, where Phil Davy reviews two of the latest woodworking books as well as sharing the story of how he went about dealing with woodworm in one of his beloved tonewood boards. In letters & makers, find out how you can get your hands on a fantastic Veritas low-angle jack plane, worth over £250, and in next month, we show you what you can expect to find in our May issue. All this and much more in GW330, which is now on sale!

Enjoy!
Tegan Foley, Editor