Magazines

Rick Wheaton plus fellow volunteers and the completed Sharpham Bench

Our Autumn Special is now on sale and we’ve got some fantastic surprises in store for you, including a fantastic sash window project from our very own Mark Cass, which also graces this month’s front cover. Yes, summer may be drawing to a close, but don’t let that dissuade you from getting busy in your workshops and trying out some of our great making projects for yourselves.

After we’ve gone through the square window we’re met with Robin Gates’ account of how some basic woodwork gave two old friends a new lease of life; Rick Wheaton also brings us the final part of his Sharpham Bench series, which sees him and a group of volunteers completing the seat pads for the project before the all-important and much anticipated bench installation can begin; and Peter Dunsmore also brings us the next in his board games mini series - Nine Men’s Morris - which dates back to the Roman Empire. Next up we have a great article from Dave Roberts, as he shows us how to build a ‘something from nothing’ tool cabinet; we bring you the first in a new series called ‘Me & My Workshop’, which gives you the opportunity to find out about woodworking professionals, the spaces in which they work and be a bit nosey - first up we have the Editor as he opens his doors and answers our list of challenging questions. Stephen Simmons also shares his advice on leaving the comfort zone of your workshop and having to work onsite; and containing our ‘Inspiring Designers’ series’, Phil Whitfeld explores the distinctive furniture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the 20th century’s greatest designers; Pete Martin’s bookcase steps out of line with a breakfront design to suit books large and small; Andy King does some smooth talking and advises on the wide range of powered sanders available; and as Gary Cook shows, a woodworker can never have too many marking gauges.

Bob Chapman’s sycamore bowl with a crackle glazed rim

In turning, Bob Chapman finds out what designing something really involves, and Colin Simpson has the second part of his colouring & texturing series, which sees him exploring four more techniques for enhancing your work and making it a little different from the norm.

The Makita DF012DSE 7.2V Pencil Drill Driver is a great all-rounder

On the test bench this month we have some more great tools for you including mini tests on a whole load of Proxxon 12V tools, all of which are ideal for various types of small-scale work, before the Editor gives the Makita DF012DSE 7.2V Pencil Drill Driver a test drive - light and comfortable to use for long periods, this neat little unit could be employed for a large number of household DIY tasks. If turning is more your thing, then take a look at our test on the Albion Hobbies abrasives range, which will be ideal if you’re looking to impart a high gloss, mirror finish on your turned work, and why not take a look at the Robert Sorby ProEdge Plus deluxe sharpening system while you’re at it? Proudly made in Sheffield, this deluxe sharpening system is simple, quick and effective in use – ideal for dressing and honing your tools.

It’s carpentry for all in this month’s ‘Archive’

In terms of your usual favourite pages, you won’t be disappointed as they’re all here: AOB, courses, timber directory and letters, and in Archive we look at a fantastic excerpt from the November 1948 edition of The Woodworker, which gives you some invaluable carpentry tips that are still useful to this day. We also bring you the next helping of Stan Clark’s ladder making diary series, give you a glimpse at what you can expect from our November issue, and also bring you a whole host of great woodworking kit that’s up for sale and wanted in Marketplace.

All this and much more in the The Woodworker Autumn Special, which is now on sale!