Magazines

As we look forward to some warmer weather and a brighter outlook for all, we hope our April issue inspires, educates and entertains in equal measure.

This month, our projects and turning section features a little bit of everything, so you can pick and choose to suit your skill level and workshop set-up. Starting with Geoff Ryan's birthday jewellery box, he shares a stunning design in maple and walnut, which also features corner post dovetails; next, Shaun Newman undertakes an unusual commission for a 'cello podium'; also, faced with an untidy, cluttered understairs area, Dave Long sets about designing and building his own bespoke storage solution; in turning, Chris Child shows you how to make a bird box using a hollowed-out birch log, before Les Thorne takes an old piece of spalted beech and uses it to create the perfect platter for his selection of apples in exotic timbers. Plus, we also have a fun carving project that takes you through the steps for creating your own bird-shaped whistle.

In our technical section, we have all bases covered as Peter Bishop delivers the next instalment of his 'woodworker’s encyclopaedia' and pauses to explain a few key terms in greater detail; next, Dennis Keeling imparts his CNC router know-how and shows you how to create a simple step-stool; and last but not least, if you're thinking of setting up a new workshop, or perhaps undergoing a redesign, John McMahon's handy guide breaks everything down and provides some excellent professional tips along the way.

This month, our features section contains everything from the world's longest pencil to a bespoke children's playhouse in the shape of a rocket, so take your pick! Robin Gates kicks things off with 'Archive', as he shares his admiration for the artist Stanley Anderson whose engraving 'The Wheelwright' graced the July 1958 cover of The Woodworker; next, referencing his 2020 article on woodworking lockdown, Jeremy Broun highlights the importance of engaging with others as well as having dreams, aims and projects with deadlines, all of which help us feel connected and keep our spirits high; also, having recently expanded and streamlined its UK-based operation, Record Power opens its doors to give us an exclusive insight into their manufacturing processes; before Paul Greer explores the fascinating subject of pencils, whose history dates back to the 15th century; and for furniture maker Sophie Moraveg-Oskooie, who's wonderful rocket playhouse is this month's cover star, the sky’s the limit when it comes to creating novel designs that incorporate challenging techniques, as Martin Pim-Keirle discovers.

Phil Davy and Cameron Sidgwick had the opportunity to test a whole raft of new kit for us this month, including various tools from Wood Workers Workshop – the FastCap FastBreak Sander XL, AUKTools wheel marking gauge and FastCap 11th Finger push stick – plus hearing protectors and earbuds from ISOtunes, not to mention DeWalt's new DWE7485-GB 210mm compact table saw. Get the lowdown on all the tools and products they reviewed before you buy. As well as this, you can also expect to find your usual favourite pages, including news, welcome, marketplace, next month, letters and readers’ tips, plus much more! We hope you enjoy the April 2021 issue of The Woodworker & Good Woodworking, which is now on sale! Pick up your copy today, or why not subscribe?