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Phil Davy’s log tote is a perfect autumn project

Welcome to our November issue, which sees us diving into the colder months and presenting you with a whole range of exciting workshop projects, technical articles, inspiring features that make you say wow as well as looking at the latest top kit and tools (well, Christmas is nearly here after all, so best start on those wish lists!)

We kick off our projects section with a lovely report from John McMahon, who shares his adventures in woodwork and kart racing with the Byron Wood Woodwork Club; next, Peter Vivian’s recent commission for a functional hall seat/storage unit in oak turned out beautifully, as he describes in his article; carrying on with her rocking giraffe build, Grace Silverwood makes the remaining elements before painting and assembling the completed toy; Peter Bishop creates a modern pigeon decoy trio in chestnut and uses appropriate painting techniques to create an ‘aged’ effect, and Phil Davy shows you how to build a tote to carry logs from the pile to the fireplace. In turning, Colin Simpson bucks the trend and chooses to turn a square lidded ‘box’ in beech, which makes a change from the usual round object, before Les Thorne, presented with pieces of timber salvaged from headstocks and supports found in St Paul’s Cathedral’s bell tower, sets about turning his own decorated versions for sale and charity.

Carwyn Lloyd Jones, carpentry tutor at the Centre for Alternative Technology, teaching a ‘Build a Tiny House’ course

Technique-wise, we welcome back Michael Huntley as he recalls his visit to The Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales and gives an introduction to projects that can be carried out in the home workshop; Robin Gates’ eulogy to the wooden plane continues with six of the simplest woodies restored for everyday tasks of converting, preparing and shaping timber; and as Peter Bishop says, if you’re planing, sawing, drilling or using a router, then, at some point, you will need to sharpen or touch up a cutting edge. Follow his tips here to ensure you get the best out of your tools.

Jason Mosseri outside his garden workshop

In our features section and also this month’s cover star (well, one of his amazing Windsors is), we speak to Jason Mosseri of Hopesprings Chairs about his fascinating journey from tattoo artist to Windsor chairmaker; next, deep in the archives of The Woodworker, Robin Gates delights in a complex camera-building project for the Edwardian amateur photographer; and in ‘me & my workshop’, we find out more about bedroom woodworker and avid pen turner, Ron Lawson.

[You can swivel the head of the Trend Angle Twist torch to any position between 0 and 90°

In our ‘on test’ section we have lots of exciting new kit to tempt you, including the new Makita DJV182 LXT jigsaw who’s cutting performance is equal to that of a mains model, as well as the new Trend Angle Twist torch, which is a definite must for your Christmas list! The Bridge City TS-1v2 try square is perfect for small cabinetmaking jobs, and the Alfie Shine polishing kit while not cheap, is worth the expense. Jamie Smith also takes a closer look at the Bosch GWS 18V-125 SC Professional angle grinder, which delivers power equal to a 1,000W corded version and boasts a unique Drop Control safety feature.

And if that’s not enough, we also have two fantastic competitions for you: one from Wood Workers Workshop, which gives you the chance to win 1 of 3 sets of Peter Sefton’s Ultimate Jointer DVD series, and the other from Machine Mart, giving you the opportunity to get your hands on a Clarke Buckingham model woodburning stove for your home or workshop, worth £238.80! Find details of how to enter both within the magazine.
You’ll be glad to hear you can find all your usual favourite pages too, including news and courses, welcome, marketplace, next month, letters and readers’ tips, plus ‘End-grain’. All this and much more in the November issue of The Woodworker incorporating Good Woodworking, which is now on sale!

Enjoy!
Tegan Foley, Editor

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