Magazines

John Bullar demonstrating how the fine dovetail joint is slid together

Spring is in the air, and our March issue is now on sale! We bring you a range of fantastic projects to make, techniques for you to master, features for you to enjoy, not to mention five news pages full of exciting events for you to attend over the coming months, and some great courses to boot. Our cover star this month is John Bullar, who this time explores the subject of dovetails in his popular beginners’ guide to furniture making series. He starts with a single large dovetail to examine the basic principle, and then a row of very fine dovetails, which can truly test the skill of a furniture maker.

Peter Harrison’s jewellery box with integral hinge

Kicking off our projects section this month is Shaun Newman, who brings us the final part of his mediaeval fiddle build, where he shows you how to make a customised case to protect your wonderful hand-crafted creation. Peter Harrison also shares his jewellery box design with us, which features an integral hinge and removable trays as well as a curved lip on the lid, that helps to make it truly individual and really stand out. Also, jumping to the aid of new home buying family members is Glenn Perry, who sets about replacing an old, worn out door with a custom-made framed ledge and braced version. And with spring almost here, Phil Davy takes the opportunity to fit some simple shelving into alcoves with supporting battens before coming up with a clever solution for mobilising his collection of plastic storage trunks, and lastly, in turning, inspired by his love of the industrial revolution and its old cast-iron machinery and exposed gearing, Les Thorne decides to turn a box that mimics one of the cogs that would have been on show.

Squaring the chisel off the back fence of the mortiser

If you fancy getting technical this month and learning some expert tips, then Alex Dalton, the managing director of Daltons Wadkin’s guide to making a woodworking machinery purchase could provide you with all the information you need. And in the next part of his beginners’ guide to power tools series, Peter Bishop discusses the topic of mortisers as well as offering his advice and handy hints on setting them up and getting the best from this useful machine.

Marc Fish’s unique console table from his ‘One Piece’ series

In ‘People and Places’ we discover how American furniture maker Erik Wolken brings wood to life and how he seeks to create rhythm and poetry in each of the pieces he makes; this month’s ‘Centrefold’ is Marc’s Fish’s stunningly unique console table from his ‘One Piece’ series, which exudes a seemingly organic, unprecedented form. Made using oak, resin, bronze and squid ink, this piece really stands out from the crowd; and we are also happy to welcome a new author, or indeed one of our existing authors who has decided to share more of his woodworking wisdom with us on our back page. Yes, Edward Hopkins’ first ‘back page ponderings’ looks at the notion of beauty and suggests a few key points to follow during your woodworking journey.

With no cable, the DeWalt DCG412N 125mm angle grinder is very easy to use without restriction

We also have Andy King’s usual fantastic mix of kit and tools tests for you, which this month sees him getting out and about and trying his hand at some power carving, thanks to a new angle grinder from DeWalt as well as a great range of carving discs from Rotarex. While his work isn’t going to win any prizes for artistic flair (sorry, Andy!) he was very impressed with both bits of kit, and if you too fancy trying your hand at this fun woodworking pursuit, then do have a look at both tests! Also on the bench this month are some clever clamps for standard mitre frame-type work and a new pillar drill from Axminster.

Of course, we also have all your favourite usual pages, including letters’ and makers, next month and news, so don’t delay, pick up the new copy today!

Enjoy!

Tegan Foley, Editor