Magazines

• Suite inspiration – Our star feature this month is the opening chapter in a series of pieces designed and made by master cabinet maker Roger Berwick. It’s a dining table in European oak, and represents the core piece in a suite that also includes a set of chairs, a tall display cabinet and a couple of occasional tables, all of which we’ll bring you during the next few issues.
• The second half – Peter Nicholson describes how to complete the alcove unit he described last month by adding a stunning bookcase unit to it. This echoes the design features of the base unit, and even the wood grain is selected to match from top to bottom.
• Time is short – Gordon Warr presents a miniature grandfather clock that’s just a foot tall. It’s an interesting variation on his box-making skills, and incorporates a musical movement as well as a scaled-down clock face. If you like this, look out for our stunning full-size clock from Tommy Wood in next month’s issue.
• Two by two – Vere Shannon designs and builds his version of Noah’s Ark as a present for his grandson, and fills it with a menagerie of toy animals. It’s sturdy enough to survive The Flood and make it to the top of Mount Ararat…

In our Workshop section, Andy Standing takes frame and panel construction apart and explains what it takes to get professional-looking results using this traditional cabinet-making technique. Peter Bishop recreates a fine set of sliding workshop doors to replace two that have definitely passed the point of no return. Alan Holtham describes how to make and use a simple bench jig that makes light work of trimming veneers quickly and accurately. Meanwhile Keith Smith has been out and about visiting wood shows and spending money. He’s also been hanging a lot of doors, and adding the finishing touches to the Yorkshire sash windows he’s been restoring.

There’s a bonus for the turners this month, as we take a look at pen-making techniques with Alan Holtham and feature an unusual design created by Doug Barratt. Colin Simpson completes his large rainbow platter by revealing some of the tricks and techniques he uses to colour his turned work. Meanwhile Chris Child presents an unusual take on a traditional toy by showing how to make some spinning tops. There’s also news of our annual turning competition, which offers a great range of prizes.

Last but by no means least, our regular test section has reports on the following tools and equipment:
• Juuma No 4 Bed Rock smoothing plane
• Record PT107 planer thicknesser
• Earlex WD1200P Powervac vacuum extractor
• Kity 419 table saw
• Mafell LO50E router
• Axminster Numatic NVD750 vacuum extractor
• Dremel 300 series Hobbytable
• GemRed digital angle rule