They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and it’s true that need and want generally do drive the creative process, in woodwork as in everything else. So when it comes to choosing the next project to undertake, I think that the choices are very simple.
My good friend Paul (or Paul-o as he’s known in Sydney’s Blue Mountains) was over for a visit recently and, like many of us practical types, was keen to get his hands dirty after a few days acclimatising to the UK environment (aka reacquainting himself with our beer).
I expect we’ve all heard of The Terror that followed the French Revolution of 1790, but I wonder how many readers have experienced the very real terror of ‘the job that’s about to go disastrously wrong at any moment’? That was my lot recently as I endeavoured to fit assorted locks and catches to the half dozen interior doors I’d just hung.
Opportunities to learn are ever present in our lives, or at least always round the corner of semi-ignorance. It’s still both surprise and validation when unexpected information drops into the in-tray and immediately opens up a route into a new uncharted territory. Reading the review of Axminster’s new drill stand the other day – which will also take a Trend T4 router – turned out to be a good example in point.
Despite external distractions like economics and the weather, we like to remain upbeat here at The Woodworker, and hope that every page reflects the pleasure and joy that can be gleaned from the craft of woodworking itself and making things generally. Although we continue with our enforced regimen of belt tightening here at our palatial premises (I've had my car downgraded to a family saloon, and my driver is no longer on 24 hr standby!),…
The March issue of The Woodworker knows no bounds; we have on offer a very nice selection of projects and technical advice to interest and entertain the reader. Storage is always of interest to the the average householder, and great is often the need for wardrobes in the bedroom. Fear not, we have a very stylish wardrobe to make plus a unique take on the classic bunk bed - but this one converts to a loft style work area too!
The March issue of The Woodworker knows no bounds; we have on offer a very nice selection of projects and technical advice to interest and entertain the reader. Storage is always of interest to the the average householder, and great is often the need for wardrobes in the bedroom. Fear not, we have a very stylish wardrobe to make plus a unique take on the classic bunk bed - but this one converts to a loft style work area too!
Although I'm the proud possessor of a Level 2 Bench Joinery NVQ certificate (er, I'm pretty sure I still know where it is), I didn't achieve this qualification until fairly late on in my (ongoing) professional career. Like a lot of us, most of my life has been spent learning the hard way - something my earlier customers would likely confirm - and paying for those lessons learned in extra toil and missing money.
In this month's Woodworker we've got some great last minute gift ideas to make, and a load of affordable kit to gen up on. If you're feeling peckish you can turn your pizza into a production and learn how to slice it up into perfect portions with our great serving board.