Magazines

2020 seems to be flying by, and although we still find ourselves living in strange and uncertain times, here at the magazine we’re working hard to keep producing a publication you enjoy. So welcome to our June issue, which contains a whole host of interesting, entertaining and diverse content, including projects and turning articles, technical content, features, plus tests on various kit and tools.

In our projects section, Liam Barclay takes matters into his own hands as he builds a striking sculpted sofa in oak to his own personal specifications; next, in the first of a two-part series, Tim Molderez sets about making a beautiful Japanese style blanket chest, which features hand-carved panels and a hand-weaved sliding compartment; in turning, why not have a go at making one of Dave Roberts’ wall-hanging whatnots; Dominic Collings gets up to speed on a Festool Domino jointer, cutting the 328 mortises required for a couple of planters in eight hours; Phil Skinner makes three mallets and three cutting gauges from timber offcuts; and last but not least, Les Thorne shows you how to lift a plain sycamore bowl by applying airbrushing techniques.

In our technical section, in the spirit of summer we discover that rigorous selection and stringent moisture control are essential for top English willow cricket bats from J.S. Wright & Sons, as Ron Smith of Wagner Moisture Meters reports; also, we have part 2 of Simon Frost’s start-up diary, which sees him landing his first big job; next, in part 17 of his woodworker’s encyclopaedia, Peter Bishop breaks out of the Fs and slowly creeps into the Gs; before we bring you an informative guide from Dremel, which takes you through all the necessary steps for restoring an old window frame back to its former glory.

We pride ourselves on bringing you some wonderful woodworking features, and this month is no different. Starting off with ‘archive’, Robin Gates puts his feet up with the April 1946 issue of The Woodworker and ponders an experiment with ‘dust-easy’ corners; John Greeves talks to Robert Hurford about his first reconstruction of an Iron Age chariot and how some of these ideas changed subsequently with new evidence and the application of experimental archaeology; Kelly Wakeley, Content Marketer at Axminster Tools & Machinery, talks to successful designer, educator and founder of on and offline community This Girl Makes, Harriet (Hattie) Poppy Speed (also this month’s cover star); in ‘me and my workshop’, Rick Wheaton meets Devon-based installer of interiors, Steve Dodge; in ‘modern woodworking’ Tom Fraser wonders if lockdown is the key to releasing creativity; and in the next part of a new series, we look at five different examples of woodworking, furniture making, woodcarving and woodturning, specially selected from Instagram.

On the test bench this month, despite the lockdown Phil Davy is still getting to grips with all the latest kit, including the Triton TJS001 jigsaw, which he finds to be big and powerful, although the body grip format can take some getting used to. Next, the Ryobi R18RT ONE+ rotary tool, which is capable of working materials besides wood, such as metals, plastics or glass, and finally, the Faithfull Prestige combination square - an excellent general-purpose combination square with multiple uses. 

And if you fancy getting your hands on your very own Triton TJS001 jigsaw, we have a competition offering one lucky reader the chance to win this great power tool, so see inside the issue for full details on how to enter - good luck! Also, despite the judging deadline being extended, don’t forget to either keep working on your entry(s) for the Alan Peters Furniture Award, or get started if you haven’t already - you can find full details here. 

As well as all of the above, you can also also expect to find your usual favourite pages, including news and courses, welcome, marketplace, next month, letters and readers’ tips, plus much more! Don’t forget to keep sending in your top workshop tips too as we have a fantastic Veritas apron plane with PM-V11 blade up for grabs each month, and one could very well be yours! So be sure to pick up your copy today, or why not subscribe? 

Enjoy!