Good WoodWorking - February 2018

Although February can be a bit dreary, we hope our next issue can encourage you to get making. We have some great projects to inspire you, including Jonathan Hicks' Sudoku puzzle inspired coffee table design, as well as Dave Long's clever bespoke understairs storage solution, which hides offending clutter. Phil Davy makes a sturdy side gate using softwood that features heavy hardware, and in turning, Les Thorne's multi-coloured lamp base is sure to brighten up any room. In our 'Technical' section we bring you the next in our 'How-to' guides series as we take a look at routing fire doors for an intumescent strip using Trend's specialist range of router cutters. Next, Peter Bishop discusses the properties of wood - something that needs to be taken into consideration when working with this wonderful material. Kicking off our 'People & Places' section is Barrie Scott's special feature, which sees him finding out more about how Djembe drums are traditionally made; in 'Centrefold' Simon Morris of Lufu Furniture's stunning Scottish burr elm cabinet holds a secret; and in 'End-grain', Edward Hopkins ponders fixing a hole. We also catch up with Britain's 'most deserving young woodworker', Katherine McConnell, nearly two years on, to learn about how this experience has shaped her career as well as discovering what advice she would give to other young furniture makers. In 'Kit & Tools', we bring you an exclusive test on the new Mafell MT55 18M BL cordless plunge saw, before getting to grips with the Antex Fire Writer pyrography kit - a professional unit that is solid, powerful, convincing and efficient in use. As well as all of the above, we also have a fantastic competition from IRWIN Tools, which give you the chance to win 1 of 10 WeldTec CSB 165mm/24T cordless circular saw blades, and where would you be without all your favourite pages? Expect to see news and courses, next month, letters & makers, plus much more!