Magazines

Derek Lane’s scale model build of an Australian 1988 Series II Mack Superliner

While we’re working our way towards the tail end of 2017, that doesn’t mean to say that we’ve taken our foot off the gas in terms of content. No, we have a fantastic October issue in store, featuring an exclusive report from the recent New Designers show, which the Editor had the joy of attending. Many of the young makers he met at the show will hopefully be writing for the magazine and sharing their projects, so do watch out for that very soon.
In terms of projects, we have plenty to keep you busy, including a wonderful big rig build from keen toy and model maker Derek Lane, who jumped at the chance of building a scale model of an Australian 1988 Series II Mack Superliner, which can be seen here, and what a great job he did! We also bring you part 1 of a new board games mini series from Peter Dunsmore, who sets about making the well-known game of solitaire a little more attractive by incorporating some fancy woodwork together with lovely American cherry and walnut to create a contrasting effect. Allan Willey also shares the story of his triple decker bunk bed build, the sturdy design of which, with pull-out bed and drawers, called for appropriately robust building techniques and some quick thinking.

Gary Cook’s saw sharpening vice on the workbench

In terms of techniques, we have something for everyone regardless of your favoured woodworking discipline, so look out for a great article from our resident tool collector Gary Cook, as he shares his tips on resurrecting both old and new saws; Phil Davy answers the question of why many people still choose to use a hand drill to this day; teach yourself the techniques of tambour-making with Pete Martin’s roll-top bread bin; we present you with our step-by-step guide to an essential array of dovetailing techniques; and Ian Hawthorne explains how to achieve those near-seamless veneer joints. We also bring you part 2 of Rick Wheaton’s Sharpham bench project, which sees him and his fellow volunteers concentrating on making an outside work area before embarking on the shaping of the huge baulks.
In turning, and also this month’s cover star, is Colin Simpson and part 1 of his clever colouring and texturing techniques mini series, where he shows you a variety of ways to make your turned work stand out from the crowd.

The compact Bosch drill driver, surrounded by its four interchangeable chucks and adaptors

In ‘On Test’ we have an exclusive review of the new Bosch GSR 12V-15 FC 12V FlexiClick drill driver, which the Editor couldn’t help but award top marks to. A truly a polished product, it’s not only slick, powerful and efficient, but changing the chucks is also enormously pleasing. We also take a look at the NOVA Comet II midi lathe, which is ideal for beginner turners and offers great results, and if you’re in the market for an impact driver for occasional workshop use then the CEL 14.4V offering represents pretty good value. Lastly, we take a quick look at the new Ryobi 18V 5.0Ah battery and are suitably impressed by its performance.

The Rawlplug tool enabled a drill-free hole to be bored in a brick wall

Our October issue also features all your usual favourite pages, including Archive, which this month features an advert from The Woodworker of October 1952, which looks at a range of Rawlplug-related products available to the homeowner, including the necessary Rawlplug Tool, and we also bring you the next instalment from Stan Clark, who recalls the abundance of elm trees where he grew up and talks about how Dutch elm disease went on to affect the whole area. In addition to this, we also have welcome, AOB & diary, news and courses, letters, next month and a whole host of tools and machinery up for grabs and wanted in Marketplace.

All this and much more in the October issue of The Woodworker, which is now on sale!