Magazines

Lights, camera, action! The TV studio set up and ready for the show - read Dennis Knight’s article to find out more!

Summer will soon be here and we’ve got a great June issue in store for you! You can expect some fantastic articles that will make you want to dust off your tools and get into the workshop. In this, the second issue since our redesign, we have an eye-catching cover in store for you, as we say up, up and away! Yes, Ian Wilkie’s wonderful toy aeroplane build is a real winner, and in this issue he looks at the making of the turned components, before finishing things off next month, so don’t miss that one! On a different note entirely, have you ever wondered who makes the props for various TV channels? Many of them are indeed wooden, so where does one go to buy such bespoke items? Well, wonder not any more as Dennis Knight tells us how making props for TV (specifically home shopping channels where his son sells his eco-friendly cleaning and washing products) has kept him very busy in his retirement. It’s a fascinating read and there seems to be no end to this woodworker’s ingenuity!

Regular readers may well remember a recent letter asking for a rocking horse build, and we’ve found a real beauty for you! Join Peter Vivian as he documents the build of a recent commission, which was based on a medium-sized one he had previously made, which is fitted to a lovely reclaimed oak stand.

As it’s getting warmer (hopefully), what better time than to get making some outdoor projects, and Phil Davy’s lovely Versailles planter would make a fantastic addition to any garden. Or how about a gift for the grandkids? Andy Smith encourages you to give a handmade gift at least once, and his wonderful xylophone proved to be a big hit with his one-year-old niece.

Mark Griffiths thought this was going to be a simple project – that is, until the clients asked for the units to be free floating with stone tops and large porcelain sinks!

Technically speaking, we also have some great articles in store, including a very interesting article from Shaun Stevenson of G&S Timber, who highlights the importance of sustainability when sourcing timber, the certifications to look out for when buying, and how all timber suppliers should ensure they are practising responsible forestry.  And what happens when you buy a £12 Chinese smoothing plane on eBay? Iain Whittington finds out and reports back, and the results may surprise you! And finally, join Mark Griffiths as he calms his clients’ perfect storm of a bathroom commission.

Colin Simpson’s Gesso platter

In our turning section, we have some great projects for you to make, and one which is slightly more inspirational, which is brought to you by Rod Tallack. If you’re familiar with Rod’s work, you’ll know that the work he does isn’t completed on a normal lathe - no, his has been designed to produce multi-dimensional turnings. In his article, he shows how stave-jointing techniques can be used to get more out of one piece of wood, as he goes on to produce two platters. Colin Simpson also returns with a great project - a beech platter, which features a coloured and airbrushed rim, which is then textured using Gesso to create an unusual effect.

Trying out the Kunz 12.4plus (No.4 smoother)

Andy King gets to grip with some sophisticated kit in this issue, starting with the Axminster Hobby Series AWC4 250mm deluxe combination machine, which is fairly easy on the pocket, but it takes up more space than you might expect. Andy was impressed with the machine’s smooth adjustments, great capacities and the micro fence adjustments and declared it to be fairly user-friendly. Next on the bench was the Trend 46/521X1/4TC Guided Rebater/Profiler, which will prove invaluable for anyone who does a lot of kitchen refits, and the Kunz Plus planes proved to be a pair of little beauties.

IRWIN WeldTec circular saw blades deliver 50% longer life and are extremely durable even under extreme working conditions

We also have another competition from IRWIN Tools in this issue, so if you fancy getting your hands on one of their new WeldTec circular saw blades, then see inside this issue to find out more. There’s 20 up for grabs, so good luck to all who enter! We also have all your usual favourites, including AOB, which sees the Editor welcoming in the new, as well as archive, letters, marketplace and next month. We also have the penultimate article in our ‘Timeslip’ series, so be sure to pick up next month’s copy to see how it all ends!

Enjoy!