WOODWORK | TURNING | TOOL TESTS | FEATURES

May 2022

THE ORIGINAL & BEST SINCE 1901

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 WELCOME

‘Arbutus’ writing desk

by Benjamin Stephenson, Macassar ebony
2020, madrone and maple, and pearwood
1,168 × 584 × 749mm desk by Brian
‘Bonheur du Jour’ writing desk Newell, 2004
by Andrew Lapthorn, maple and
European walnut, with pull-out
leather-covered work top

‘Volta’ console table by Richard Frost

Design – walnut, with contrasting
sycamore drawers fronted with bright
coloured ripple sycamore and walnut
veneer, comparatively arranged to reflect
the intricate pattern of a vaulted ceiling
‘Trimerous’ desk and chair by – 750mm high × 600mm wide ×
Seth Rolland, sapele, walnut 1,100mm long
and curly maple, 736mm high
× 838mm dia. × 2,057mm long

Welcome and sizes; some traditional, others modern; some

with hidden compartments, beautiful detailing,
and in a variety of timbers. From carrying out some
As some of you already know, I’ll shortly be leaving research, I soon realised my dream desk was sadly
behind the Regency splendour of Hove seafront and out of reach – perhaps for my 50th! – so set about
moving, albeit a short distance away, to a lovely Edwardian visiting various antique shops and reclamation yards.
terrace. While the house has more bedrooms, in terms of There was everything from the Rococo era to ‘50s
square footage we’re downsizing, due to the houses being G Plan, as well as a wonderful Georgian tambour-
tall and thin as opposed to wide, grand and high-ceilinged. fronted writing desk, but nothing seemed to fit the bill.
While I’ll miss the beautiful period features we currently My current desk, with its diminutive 730 × 500mm Tegan Foley
enjoy, I must admit that the prospect of more light, stairs, footprint, is far too tiny for my needs. Therefore, an Group Editor
a south-facing patio, and designated office I can call my important consideration is having the luxury of being able
own, fills me with joy. to spread out, as it were, and not forced to work in such
cramped conditions. Our cat also likes to jump up and see
Office in the attic what I’m doing, so I may even factor in a designated space
Situated on the second floor, for me, the converted for him to curl up and keep me company while I work.
attic was the house’s selling point. As well as being a
beautiful bright, airy space, it also has a little mezzanine Stunning examples
area, which will be perfect for tea breaks and even an Featured above are pieces from a variety of furniture
afternoon siesta! Going from a basement flat, which, makers, one of whom, Andrew Lapthorn, was the winner
depending on the time of day can be very dark, the of last year’s Alan Peters Furniture Award. While perhaps
thought of a sunny, quiet office is very exciting indeed. a little compact for my needs, his writing desk is simply Rhona Bolger
At present, my ‘office’, situated in a corner of our front stunning, and similarly, Richard Frost’s ‘Volta’ console Group Advertising Manager
room, consists of a tiny IKEA desk, which I struggled to table appeals due to its clever use of colour and geometry.
construct myself a few years back, that’s not only tattered, At the time of writing, I’m still no further forward in
but also incredibly rickety – an upgrade is long overdue! terms of finding my dream desk, but am edging towards
a Mid-Century style piece, hopefully with drawers and
Dream desk of fairly generous proportions. I’ll keep you updated in
While my flat-pack friend has served me well, it’s on terms of progress.
its last legs, so with this in mind, my partner suggested In the meantime, I hope you enjoy our latest issue,
a new desk for my birthday this year, which, incidentally, which features a fantastic competition courtesy of
happens to be my 40th. In terms of requirements, it’d Trend, plus a host of other May delights. Enjoy!
need to be solidly constructed, classically designed and
something to be treasured and hopefully handed down. Phil Davy
During my time working on the magazine, I’ve seen Technical & Consultant Editor
many wonderful examples of such pieces, in all shapes Email [email protected]
We endeavour to ensure all techniques shown in this issue are safe, but take no responsibility for readers’ actions.
Take care when woodworking and always use guards, goggles, masks, hold-down devices and ear protection, and above all, plenty of common sense. Do remember to enjoy yourself, though

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 3

 CONTENTS What’s inside?

+
WIN!
SEND IN YOUR TOP
WORKSHOP HINT/TIP/POINTER
OR PIECE OF ADVICE & YOU
COULD BE IN WITH A CHANCE
OF WINNING AN AXMINSTER
1st prize: T14 2,300W 1⁄2in RIDER N0.5¹⁄₂IN JACK PLANE
– see page
ge 41 for details
workshop router with WRT 240V
router table – worth £1,200

2nd prize: T12 2,300W 1⁄2in

plunge router – worth £557

To celebrate the launch of the new

T12 and T14 routers, Trend is giving
two lucky readers the chance to win either first
prize of a T14 workshop router with WRT router
table, or second prize of a T12 plunge router
To enter, visit page 24
and follow the instructions
given – good luck!

38 HOMEGROWN &
FIT FOR AN AWARD
Jeremy Broun interviews English
Woodlands Timber Ltd, a company
passionate about trees

WIITN !
W H
We’re teaming up with woodcare experts,
Liberon, to give you the opportunity
to showcase your woodworking skills
and win a prize bundle worth over
£300. This is your last chance to enter
ahead of the 20 May 2022 deadline –
see page 30 to find out more

4 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 Subscribe today!
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MAY 2022

PROJECTS & TURNING TECHNICAL FEATURES

34 Basic box-making 42 Woodworker’s encyclopaedia 28 The Alan Peters Furniture Award 2022
skills put to the test – part 39 For the second year running, this is your
Dave Roberts sets himself the task of making This next instalment sees Peter Bishop well into opportunity to be part of a prestigious annual
a set of plain pigeon holes, to hold a dozen the Ts as he tackles a couple of lengthy subjects award, which champions UK furniture design
shot glasses, as a test of box-making’s most including timber-framed and tipped saws and making talent while celebrating the life
basic skills: marking out, cutting, planing and and work of the late Alan Peters OBE
chiselling small components
36 The place for everything?
46 Jan’s bird buffet Tempted by The Woodworker of January
Having previously made a few different bird 1904, Robin Gates ponders the practicality
table designs, albeit a little ‘rough and ready’, of a tool chest
Geoff Ryan’s next attempt would prove to require
a little more thought, precision and execution 38 Homegrown & fit for an award
Jeremy Broun interviews English Woodlands
ON THE COVER 63 Open & honest Timber Ltd, a company passionate about trees
Brian Barber’s free approach to design exposes
the simple beauty of his ‘designer drawers’ 58 Woodland spirit
52 Marking tools & techniques Trug maker, coppicer and green woodsman Carl
72 A new door for spring for furniture making Sadler is striving to keep traditional crafts alive
Although building an external door from In the next part of this series, John Bullar
scratch may be more rewarding, if you’re working explores the range of marking tools available
to a budget, then a ready-made joinery item to the furniture maker, as well as the techniques
may be the better option, says Phil Davy that can be used to ensure you get the most
from them
76 Wet vs. dry; traditional vs. carbide
Andrew Hall conducts an experiment 88 Decorative carving
in tools, timber and techniques The ornamentation of wooden objects, which
developed into ornamental carving, goes back
to pre-history with the oldest known wooden
sculpture being twice as old as Stonehenge.
In the first of a new series, Iain Whittington 98 Take 5
tells us more in this fascinating introduction From an exquisite veneered bar and wine
to decorative woodcarving cabinet with a multitude of hidden details to
a beautiful turned and coloured miniature birch
REGULARS bowl, this month’s selection features the work
3 Welcome of some extraordinary makers
8 News
83 String theory 9 Timber directory ON TEST
Inspired by a piece of Regency era wooden 14 D&M editorial 16 Trend T12 & T14 workshop
treen with a pleasing squat mushroom shape, 36 Archive & plunge routers
Les Thorne decides to turn something similar 40 Letters & readers’ tips
in walnut and cherry, using rare-earth magnets 92 Next month 26 General Finishes Pearl Effects
to secure the string tidy’s lid in place 97 Marketplace & Enduro Extender

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www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 5

NEWS In brief...

Christian Notley MBE pictured This year, 114 entries were received for
receiving the Queen’s Anniversary the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes and CCG was
Prize for Chichester College Group selected as one of only five FE college winners.
from HRH The Prince of Wales To date there have only been 54 FE college
with HRH The Princess Royal recipients of the 296 prizes awarded since
the programme’s inception in 1994.
This was the second Queen’s Anniversary
Prize awarded to CCG, which – as Chichester
College – was recognised for its international
provision in 2005. This time around, however,
it was the group’s furniture and upholstery
provision being celebrated.
Working with businesses, trade bodies
and other training providers, the group plays
a central role in supporting innovation and
growth, investing in skills and progression
pathways, which directly nurtures and develops
talent. More than 90% of furniture and upholstery
students at CCG secure employment by the end
of their final year, and many go on to start their
own successful businesses with the group
supporting almost 100 start-up companies.

CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP In the last 15 years, the group has seen
a 500% growth in student numbers for this

receives Queen’s Anniversary sector, achieving success rates consistently

above the national average and achieving

Prize for Education world class success with its students winning
national and international skills competitions
– such as WorldSkills, for example.
Staff and students from Chichester College Group provision across the group is, we believe, among Christian Notley MBE, Deputy Head of
(CCG) recently attended a glittering ceremony the best in the world. We’re part of WorldSkills Learning at Chichester College, is the WorldSkills
as they received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize UK’s Centre of Excellence and the only college UK Training Manager for cabinetmaking and
for Education. in the world with two WorldSkills International serves as the Chief Expert at WorldSkills. He
The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes recognise Chief Experts, for furniture making and joinery. added: “This is a moment for us all to savour
outstanding work by UK colleges and universities “This award is a mark of the progress – for all of our students, employers and parents
that shows quality and innovation, delivering real made by the group over the years, reflecting who come to us, and for the staff who work
benefits to the wider world through education our commitment to skills development in this so hard to deliver exceptional training.
training. The Prizes are the highest national industry and recognises the work of our students, “We’ve put a lot of time into ensuring we’re
honour awarded in UK further and higher who contribute so positively to the regional and not just delivering training in a highly specialised
education, granted by The Queen every two years. national economy through their work. It’s a huge field, but delivering the very best training possible,
CCG – which is comprised of Brinsbury College, testament to the team, our staff and students and that’s reflected by our performance in
Chichester College, Crawley College, Haywards – past and present.” competitions and by our students’ successes
Heath College and Worthing College – was Among those attending the ceremony at in gaining employment or running their own
recognised for its internationally renowned St James’s Palace and a special prize-winners thriving businesses in this field. I’m incredibly
work in furniture and upholstery training. dinner at Guildhall a night earlier, were former proud and this is a day we’ll always remember.”
Representatives of the college group, including students and WorldSkills Gold medallists George Ben Blackledge, Deputy CEO of WorldSkills
past and present furniture students, attended Callow and Edward Harringman, as well as UK, added: “What a tremendous accolade for
the ceremony, which was presided over by HRH current apprentice Anna Bargery. CCG, part of our amazing Centre of Excellence.
The Prince of Wales with HRH The Princess Royal. Anna said: “Studying at Brinsbury College This recognition goes to show how effective it
Andrew Green, Chief Executive Officer at CCG, has opened up so many opportunities for me is to work in partnership, cascading approaches
said: “This is a truly great moment for Chichester as I work towards my apprenticeship in furniture and techniques for developing world-class skills,
College Group. To receive this prestigious national making – and this is one that I’ll definitely never gleaned from decades at elite international
honour is a privilege and one which really affirms forget. Meeting HRH The Prince of Wales was an competition, to young people across the country.
the significance of the work our talented team honour and he was really interested to hear about To have two Gold Medallists, alongside Christian,
does. Through our investment in furniture and my studies at college alongside work with my a Training Manager and WorldSkills Chief Expert
upholstery making, we’re breathing new life employer. This whole experience has also widened at the ceremony, makes the moment complete.”
into this important sector and helping to drive my network and ambitions for when I complete For further information on Chichester College
our regional skills agenda. Our furniture my apprenticeship and future career path.” Group (CCG), see www.chigroup.ac.uk.

New Catalogue
Out Now!
 TIMBER DIRECTORY

Timber Suppliers Directory – May 2022

Adhectic Ltd (Berkshire) Good Timber (Northamptonshire) S.L. Hardwoods (Croydon)
Tel: 01235 5 Tel: 01327 344 550 Tel: 020 3051 4794
Web: www.adhectic.co.uk Web: www.goodtimber.com Web: www.slhardwoods.co.uk
A Harrison (Northants) The Hardwood off cut shop (Essex)
Tel: 01536 725 192 St. Andrews Timber (Scotland)
Web: www.aharrisonwoodturning.co.uk The Wood Yard, Canterbury Tye Farm, Tel: 01316 611 333
Doddinghurst road, Brentwood, Essex, Web: www.standrewstimbersupplies.
Bennetts Timber (Lincolnshire) CM15 OSD co.uk
Tel: 01472 350 151 Tel: 01277 205990
Web: www.bennettstimber.co.uk Web: www.hardwoodoffcuts.co.uk Surrey Timbers Ltd (Guildford)
[email protected] Tel: 01483 457 826
Black Isle Woodturning (Scotland) Web: www.surreytimbers.co.uk
Tel: 07842 189 743 Horndon Timber Products
Web: www.blackislewoodturning.com Unit 8-9 Orsett Industrial Park Sykes Timber (Warwickshire)
Stanford Road, Orsett, Grays Tel: 01827 718 951
Brodies Timber (Perthshire) Essex. RM16 3BX
Tel: 01350 727 723 Web: www.sykestimber.co.uk
Web: www.brodiestimber.co.uk Tel: 01375 679 999
Web: [email protected]
The Timber Mill (Cornwall)
Brooks Brothers Timber (Essex) Tel: 07966 396 419
Tel: 01621 877 400 Interesting Timbers (Somerset)
Web: www.brookstimber.co.uk Tel: 01761 241 333 Web: www.thetimbermill.com
Web: www.interestingtimbers.co.uk
C&G Barrett Ltd, Cilfiegan Sawmill The Wood Recycling Store (East Sussex)
(South Wales) ISCA Woodcrafts (South Wales) Tel: 01273 570 500
Tel: 01291 672 805 Tel: 01633 810 148/07854 349 045 Web: www.woodrecycling.org.uk
Web: www.cilfiegansawmill.com Web: www.iscawoodcrafts.co.uk
Clive Walker Timber Ltd (West Yorkshire) Thorogood Timber Ltd (Essex)
Tel: 01132 704 928 Joyce Timber (London) Tel: 01206 233 100
Web: www.clivewalkertimber.co.uk Tel: 0208 883 1610 Web: www.thorogood.co.uk
Web: www.joycetimber.co.uk
D Emmerson Timber (Lincolnshire) Timberman (Carmarthenshire)
Tel: 01507 524 728 Lincolnshire Woodcraft (Lincolnshire) Tel: 01267 232 621
Web: www.emmersontimber.co.uk Tel: 01780 757 825 Web: www.timberman.co.uk
Web: www.lincolnshirewoodcraft.co.uk
Earlswood Interiors (West Midlands)
Tel: 01564 703 706 Tree Station (Lancashire)
Web: www.earlswoodinteriors.co.uk Nottage Timber (South Wales) Tel: 01612 313 333
Tel: 01656 745 959 Web: www.treestation.co.uk
English Woodlands Timber (West Sussex) Web: www.nottagetimber.co.uk
Tel: 01730 816 941 UK Timber Ltd (Northamptonshire)
Web: www.englishwoodlandstimber.co.uk Ockenden Timber (Powys) Tel: 01536 267 107
Tel: 01588 620 884 Web: www.uk-timber.co.uk
Exotic Hardwoods (Kent) Web: www.ockenden-timber.co.uk
Tel: 01732 355 626
Web: www.exotichardwoods.co.uk Waterloo Timber Ltd (Lancashire)
Olivers Woodturning (Kent) Tel: 01200 423 263
Tel: 01622 370 280
EO Burton, Thorndon Sawmills (Essex) Web: www.oliverswoodturning.co.uk Web: No website
Tel: 01277 260 810
Web: www.eoburton.com Wenban Smith (West Sussex)
Oxford Wood Recycling (Oxfordshire)
Tel: 01235 861 228 Tel: 01903 230 311
Eynsham Park Sawmill (Oxfordshire) Web: www.wenbans.com
Tel: 01993 881 391 Web: www.owr.org.uk
Web: www.eynshamparksawmill.co.uk
Stiles & Bates (Kent) Wentwood Timber Centre (South Wales)
FH Ives (Essex) Tel: 01304 366 360 Tel: 01633 400 720
Tel: 01268 732 373 Web: www.stilesandbates.co.uk Web: www.wentwoodtimbercentre.co.uk
Web: www.fhives.com
Scadding Timber (Avon) W L West & Sons Ltd (Surrey)
Fulham Timber (London) Tel: 01798 861 611
Tel: 0208 685 5340 Tel: 01179 556 032
Web: www.fulhamtimber.co.uk Web: www.scadding-son-ltd.co.uk Web: www.wlwest.co.uk

G&S Specialist Timber (Cumbria) Scawton Sawmill (North Yorkshire) Yandle & Sons Ltd (Somerset)
Tel: 01768 891 445 Tel: 01845 597 733 Tel: 01935 822 207
Web: www.toolsandtimber.co.uk Web: www.scawtonsawmill.co.uk Web: www.yandles.co.uk

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NEWS In brief...

TREND T18S/CS165B MAKITA adds cordless

18V cordless brushless screwdriver to its LXT range
165mm circular saw Leading power tool manufacturer
Makita UK has introduced the
The CS165B 18V brushless DFR551 18V LXT Brushless
165mm circular saw, part of auto feed screwdriver to its
Trend’s new T18S cordless leading LXT platform. Powered
range, features a high by Makita’s innovative 18V LXT
performance brushless motor battery, the DFR551 delivers
for longer life, more power and on both output and ease of
increased runtime, plus laser use, helping to maximise
guide function and hanging hook. on site efficiency.
Precision aluminium casting allows With extreme speed and
for assured accuracy and milled edges for positive alignment to precision, the DFR551 is ideal for repetitive fixing tasks and rapid
straightedge guides, and a 50° maximum bevel cut also features screwdriving tasks. Trigger activated for ease of use and complete
a 5° overcut for ‘out of square’ applications and all-metal aluminium control, it offers a no-load speed of up to 6,000rpm and the screw
top and bottom guarding ensures maximum durability and safety. feeding mechanism has been designed to reduce screw fall while
The CS165B is fitted with a 165mm diameter blade, which covers a ensuring maximum durability.
wide range of tooth styles and pitches. It also comes with a high quality With no power lead to restrict movement, the DFR551 can be used
Trend CSB/16524TC blade, which is perfect for all round crosscut and anywhere on site, which ensures maximum flexibility. It also features
ripping work. Makita’s brushless motor, which means that no energy is lost through
The machine’s compact size makes it manoeuvrable and easy to heat production. As a result, battery run time is therefore extended,
control and a front top grip handle affords the user additional control reducing the need to regularly stop to recharge or replace batteries,
and support. A fold-out metal hook allows the saw to hook over rafters thus improving onsite productivity.
and joists, keeping hands free for positioning work and Trend Tool In addition, the DFR551 features Push Drive Technology; this
Connection accepts all Trend 18V Li-ion batteries. means that the motor only rotates at full speed when the screw is
The saw achieves a 55mm cut depth at 90°, which is ideal for pressed against the workpiece, further reducing power consumption
rafter and joist cutting on first-fix work, and a 40mm cut depth at while extending battery life. This feature also minimises noise, thus
45° allows mitre cuts on CLS construction timber. increasing user safety.
This is the first circular saw of its kind suited to multi-trade use, This lightweight machine has been ergonomically designed and
making it ideal for first-fix carpentry on studs and joists, and second- features a rubberised soft grip handle for maximum comfort, even
fix work on sheet materials, worktops and panels, trimming doors when used over extended periods of time. The DFR551 has also
and more. been designed so that reversing and replacing the bit is as effortless
For further information, see www.trend-uk.com. as possible. Finally, a supplied belt clip ensures it can be kept close
at hand for added convenience.
Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK, said: “With our
LXT battery platform at its core, the DFR551 18V LXT Brushless auto
MACHINE MART’S feed screwdriver offers the output needed to tackle any task with ease,
as well as the safety and improved usability benefits offered by cordless.
2022 spring/ With over 270 products in Makita’s LXT range, professionals can easily

summer catalogue switch LXT batteries between power tools, outdoor power equipment
and accessories, depending on the
Machine Mart’s new 2022 spring/summer task at hand.”
catalogue is now available and features a wide To find out more about Makita
range of tools and equipment. Whether you’re a UK and its wide range of products,
hobbyist, DIY enthusiast or professional, there’s bound see www.makitauk.com.
to be something to appeal to your wants and needs.
Featuring over 400 price cuts and new products, the 492-page
spring/summer catalogue is a ‘must have’ for anyone seeking a
huge choice of tools and equipment, all at unbeatable value. can now also choose to buy now,
With over 6,000 items of tools and machinery and a further pay later.
15,000 additional products online, Machine Mart ensures all the kit This way, the cost of a purchase can
and tools you need are in one place. be easily spread over 36 months, with the first repayment deferred
To order your free copy, call 0844 880 1265, visit www.machinemart. for the first six months, based on a minimum 10% deposit. Customers
co.uk or pop in to your local store. can choose from between 10-50% deposit for even lower monthly
repayments, and also benefit from a new lower interest rate of

New BUY NOW, PAY LATER 15.9% representative APR.

Machine Mart Finance is available in-store, online or via telephone,
finance & lower interest rate and with a five-minute paperless application, the process is quick and
easy to complete.
Alongside the launch of the new catalogue, Machine Mart is also You can choose from Machine Mart’s range of over 21,000 products,
introducing a brand-new finance option, as well as lower interest rates. subject to availability, excluding gift cards and e-vouchers. For further
In addition to pay monthly options, which allow the cost of any purchase information, call 0115 8406 248 during operating hours, or visit
over £300 to be spread across 18, 24, 36 or 48 months, customers www.machinemart.co.uk/finance.

10 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

Visual showing Dakin-Flathers’ proposed expansion
plans for its state-of-the-art facility in West Yorkshire
New MIRKA®
DEOS is perfect
size for hard-to-
reach areas
Mirka® is spearheading sanding innovation
in 2022 with the addition of the new DEOS
343CV sander to its existing product family. The tool has been
designed to handle multiple applications, ranging from detail
sanding to furniture and window frames, while the DEOS’ 75
× 100mm pad enables easy access to hard-to-reach areas.
UK bandsaw blade The Mirka® DEOS 343CV has been developed by the R&D team

manufacturer unveils in Jeppo, Finland, with the end user in mind. Its low profile allows
the sander to get closer to the surface, thus aiding greater control.
plans for £10m expansion The lightweight ergonomic design provides the user with a comfortable
grip, allowing it to be used for extended periods, while also making
Dakin-Flathers, the manufacturer of Saw37C bandsaw blades, the sander easy to move from job to job.
has unveiled plans to expand its existing state-of-the-art facility Even though the Mirka® DEOS 343CV is a compact direct electrical
by over 7,500m2, covering three floors at its current premises in orbital sander, its the brushless motor that provides necessary power,
West Yorkshire, England. thus allowing it to perform at the same level as larger members of
Due for completion in early 2023, the Featherstone site will allow the DEOS family.
Dakin-Flathers to service its customers, in over 100 countries globally, From an abrasive perspective, the Abranet®, Abranet Ace® and
more effectively. The new scheme will allow the company to maximise Iridium ranges provide the DEOS 343CV with a selection of premium
production capacity and improve efficiencies across the product range. abrasives, which provide the user with a consistent scratch pattern
The new extension, which can accommodate over 150 employees, and high-quality finish, regardless of application.
will also boast charging points for multiple electric vehicles, improved Pete Sartain, Industrial Sales Manager for Mirka® UK, says: “Tooling
staff facilities, flexible workspaces, and a much larger warehouse that innovation is an ongoing commitment for Mirka® and the launch of
utilises new picking and storage systems. the DEOS 343CV is the next chapter for us. Even though this tool is
Oliver Garside, Managing Director of Dakin-Flathers, explains: small, we believe it has a big future due to its versatility and ability
“Dakin-Flathers has enjoyed rapid and sustained growth, doubling to make the hardest and most inaccessible jobs look easy. In turn,
in size three times over the last 20 years, which has led us to become this will lead to increased efficiency
a market leader in our sector. and productivity, meaning that users
“We’ve invested heavily, and will continue to do so, in the business will see the tool as an asset from
and our employees. Our continued growth will be supported by a range the first use.” To find out more,
of exciting new ventures and an investment programme in excess of see www.mirka.com/uk/uk.
£10m over the next 24 months. These really are exciting times for
Dakin-Flathers, our employees, customers, and for UK manufacturing.”
Dakin-Flathers’ growing green credentials will also benefit from
an expansion of its PV solar range. Renewable energy generation
will increase from 265,000kWh per annum to more than 900,000kWh,
thus making the factory as environmentally efficient as possible.
If you have a requirement for bandsaw blades, speak with a
member of the team on 01977 705 600, email info@dakin-flathers.
com or visit the website: www.dakin-flathers.com.

Aside from its exceptional versatility, the ToughBuilt® scraper utility

TOUGHBUILT® knife features a rugged metal handle for maximum durability, as well
design innovation as a rubber grip for greater user comfort over extended periods of time.
The product also employs a quick-change system, which enables
recognised with blades to be changed rapidly, without the need for any kind of specialist
industry award tool. Plus, like all ToughBuilt® offerings, the scraper utility knife comes
with a two-year guarantee as standard or an industry-leading 25-year
First introduced in 2013, the TBM Innovation Award celebrates guarantee if users register their purchase. This guarantee applies to
cutting-edge technological advances and product design excellence the tool only, not the blades.
across the tool industry. Speaking of the company’s award success, Matthew Handley,
Selected from 10 shortlisted contenders, ToughBuilt®’s ground- ToughBuilt’s European Head of Marketing, said: “The scraper utility knife
breaking scraper utility knife is a world first and all but redefines perfectly embodies the ToughBuilt® ethos of designing and developing
the term ‘multi-purpose’. The unique and patented product features products that help the professional user to work faster, smarter and more
advanced technology, which allows users to quickly flip between efficiently. By combining two commonly used hand tools in one convenient
a utility knife and scraper with the flick of a thumb. As a utility knife, product, it enables users to carry less – and do more. We’re delighted
it can be used to cut all manner of materials, while as a scraper it that its innovative nature and exceptional level of engineering have
can be used to remove paint, sealants, adhesives and labels from been recognised with the TMB 2022 Innovation Award.”
surfaces including windows, mirrors and tiles. For further information on ToughBuilt®, see www.toughbuilt.com.

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 11

NEWS In brief...

FORESTRY ENGLAND & DPD announce four-year

partnership to plant & restore woodlands across England
in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham,
where 100 ornamental oak trees, a timber
shelter and seating will provide a new,
accessible space for visitors and local
community to enjoy the forest landscape.
Since 2020, DPD has worked with
Forestry England to restore Dorset’s
Wareham Forest following a devastating
fire, which involved supporting the planting
of 79,000 trees and beginning the process
of re-establishing precious wildlife habitats
lost in the blaze.
Local children from St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School joined Forestry England and DPD’s donation will be made from its Eco
DPD representatives to plant the first saplings at Colliers Wood near Manchester Fund – part of the company’s wide-ranging
sustainability programme – which is funded
Forestry England and DPD recently Primary School joined Forestry England and solely by the firm’s circular economy initiatives.
announced a four-year partnership to DPD representatives to plant the first saplings, The partnership will include DPD staff
plant and restore woodland across England and remaining trees are due to be planted engagement opportunities in some of the
to tackle climate change and create positive during the winter of 2022. Forestry England will nation’s forests, offering wellbeing benefits
benefits for local wildlife and communities. create opportunities for the local community to to the company’s workforce and access to
The partnership will focus on four separate get involved with the planting and ongoing work Forestry England resources. In addition, DPD
woodland sites where DPD support will enable to look after the woodland as new trees mature. staff will have the chance to volunteer at
Forestry England to plant trees to create new Other sites across England will benefit from various Forestry England sites close to
woodland areas as well as carrying out work DPD’s support over the partnership period, where they live and work.
to restore valuable, established woodlands. including Pleasant Forest in Kent, a new The launch comes at a time of major
The partnership was officially launched 119-hectare woodland that Forestry England is national focus on tree planting, woodland
at Colliers Wood near Manchester, the creating. DPD will fund 4,000 trees to be planted creation and nature recovery. In 2021, the
first site to benefit from DPD’s partnership within this new site, which will have public access government set targets to treble tree planting
support. This urban woodland covering just and recreation, developing wildlife habitats and rates in England by 2024. In response to this,
over 136 hectares is a much-used community providing a supply of sustainable timber. Forestry England aims to plant at least 2,000
green space on the site of a former coal At Dimmingsdale in Staffordshire, restoration hectares of new woodland – roughly equivalent
mine. More than 4,000 new trees will be work will be carried out to replace trees affected to four million trees – in England over the next
planted to increase the biodiversity of the by disease and ensure the woodland is resilient five years.
woodland and expand existing tree cover. going forward. The final programme element will For more information on Forestry England,
Local children from St Gabriel’s Catholic involve planting a new woodland for wellbeing see www.forestryengland.uk.

A CLASSIC REINVENTED FOR THE MODERN ERA

– The ‘Cio’ ladderback rocking chair
Brian Boggs, one of the greatest American The ‘Cio’ removes the traditional undercarriage
chairmakers alive today, has created a new and uses a cutting-edge seat constructed from
ladderback rocking chair – the ‘Cio’, pronounced hardwood veneers and a linen composite
‘chee-o’ and meaning ‘renew’ in Latin. to reduce the weight of the chair while
The Asheville, North Carolina based artist/ maintaining strength and comfort.
designer spent years creating this new piece, After 36 years, Brian embraced
which is designed to be an item of heirloom the challenge of a modern ladderback
furniture that can be handed down for generations. rocking chair, which combined all
This ladderback chair for the modern era embodies of his chairmaking knowledge
the moment where form follows function, bringing while continuing a journey of
elegance to ergonomics. The straight grain slims innovation. The ‘Cio’ is intended
the leg down to a dimension that allows it to spring to offer the user an unrivalled
in use, creating a sense of buoyancy and softness sitting experience based
much like an upholstered chair. on ultimate comfort,
It follows the sitter’s form as precisely as within an innovative,
Each slat of the
possible from the top of the back to the front of lightweight design.
ladderback rocking
the seat. Each slat conforms to the thoracic and To see more of
chair conforms to the
lumbar curves in three dimensions: the vertical Brian’s pieces, visit
thoracic and lumbar
curve flow, the horizontal shape, and the www.brianboggs
curves in three
orientation of all this in relation to the seat. chairmakers.com.
dimensions

12 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 GEOCEL Joiners
Mate range – Quality Tools to
A new evolution
Geocel has recently relaunched its popular Mate
match our Service
range, including all Joiners Mate products. An extensive
portfolio of professional sealants and adhesives, this
range was created to provide a go-to solution to tackle
every joiner’s challenge.
A mainstay of Geocel’s product line up for more than two decades, The Ultimate
the primary aim of this comprehensive range is to offer easier product Woodturning Lathe

selection for users. Each of the 27 products has been specifically Mouldings
Made in Germany
formulated to provide the best possible finish, every time. Such
products include a water-resistant BS EN 204 Class D4 wood adhesive Top quality
for the internal and external bonding of wood, metal, stone, concrete, Hand Certified
Tools Hardwoods
brick, masonry and various plastics. There’s also a rapid curing, one
part BS EN 204 Class D4 liquid glue adhesive, which expands slightly Toishi-Ohishi
to increase bite strength. It’s ideal for bonding rubber and PVCu where Japanese
Waterstones
fast assembly times are essential. Finally, Joiners Mate Mitre Bond
is a two-part, high strength instant bonding system comprising an
adhesive and aerosol activator, ideal for both interior and exterior use.
With new premium packaging, each product’s intended application
Drilling Tools made to the
has been accentuated to make it even easier to quickly identify the highest standard
ideal solution for the job at hand. To find out more, see www.geocel.
co.uk/brands/joiners-mate. G&S
Specialist
Timber TOOLS AND MACHINERY

www.toolsandtimber.co.uk
you can order online now

LITTLEFAIR’S exterior Bottle Stoppers made

from food safe
& Universal Ranges stainless steel, FREE
Blank included

for the garden

During lockdown, the UK experienced a phenomenal
growth in families, communities and individuals creating
far more appealing ‘open spaces’, particularly when it
pfeil
came to enhancing their garden designs. We’ve seen
an increased use of colour and texture in this area,
which has resulted in a change of approach that’s
now firmly established in garden planning and design.
In response to these changes, Littlefair’s Wood Finishing Products
has announced the launch of a new range of exterior water-based wood
dyes – ‘Woodland Colours’ – which join the existing ‘Shades of Grey’
and ‘Driftwood Collection’ Universal ranges. 10 colours are available,
all of which can be used individually or in tandem, to bring wood to life.
Littlefair’s Woodland Colours and Universal Wood Dyes are available
in sizes ranging from 15ml tester pots to 20l drums. The products
are environmentally friendly and enhance wood grain while offering
protection. The dye penetrates and
bonds with the wood to create an
WE ARE EASY TO FIND:
enduring lightfast depth of colour. 11/2 miles from the M6, J40.
Littlefair’s products are ideal for Take the A66 towards Keswick, Open 8am to 5pm daily.
turn left at first roundabout, 10am to 5pm Saturday.
use on fencing, tables, chairs and follow the Brown Signs to Closed Sunday.
The Alpaca Centre.
garden buildings, as well as a variety G&S SPECIALIST TIMBER
of woodworking projects. For further The Alpaca Centre, Snuff Mill Lane, Stainton, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0ES.
Tel: 01768 891445. Fax: 01768 891443. email: [email protected]
information, see www.littlefairs.shop.

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 13

 IN ASSOCIATION WITH

What’s new from

‘THE’ TOOL SPECIALISTS ● WWW.DM-TOOLS.CO.UK ● 0208 892 3813

DEWALT DCK2050E2T-GB 18V XR BRUSHLESS G3 COMPACT TWIN KIT WITH 2 X POWERSTACK™ BATTERIES
MANUFACTURER: DeWalt
D&M GUIDE PRICE: See website
The DCK2050 Brushless Compact Twin Kit from DeWalt
features the DCD805 hammer drill driver and DCF805
impact driver, packaged together for added convenience.
The DCD805 is DeWalt’s latest and most powerful
brushless two-speed hammer drill driver, which delivers
up to 90Nm of torque in a compact 177mm body, engineered
to give the greatest performance on the toughest of jobsites.
Two-speed and 15 torque settings afford the user ultimate
control over drilling and fastening applications, and an
enhanced pivoting LED positioned on the foot offers
greater visibility in dark and confined spaces.
The DCF850 impact driver delivers 205Nm in a 100mm
compact body, making it ideal for a wide range of applications
across construction, industrial and automotive environments.
Other features include a three-mode switch for enhanced
control including Precision Drive, which prevents the material
and fastener being damaged in smaller jobs and a LED ring
light delivers optimum visibility in the toughest environments.
The kit includes two new compact POWERSTACK batteries,
which deliver 50% more power with a 25% smaller footprint,
both of which are compatible with existing 18V XR tools.
See our website for further details on the latest DeWalt
POWERSTACK technology and associated kit and tools.

NEW RANGE OF TOUGHBUILT™ CONTRACTOR CASES & TOTES

MANUFACTURER: ToughBuilt™
D&M GUIDE PRICE: See website
We’ve also added a new range of contractor cases and totes
from ToughBuilt™ including the Massive Mouth range, which
transforms the way in which professionals carry tools and supplies.
The Patent pending opening is wider than anything currently available
on the market. It offers superior accessibility and is compatible with
all ToughBuilt™ patented ClipTech® pouches, which ensures ultimate
tool organisation.
The unique hard body construction protects everything inside
and ensures it keeps its shape. Versatile pockets include structured
external options that flex so that tools are held securely in place.
Made using high quality, rugged materials and heavy-duty rivet
reinforcement, this hard-working bag keeps up with and meets
the rigorous demands of the professional.

Features include:
• Full rugged waterproof base
• Hard body construction to protect contents
• Unique to the market patented zipper top
allows for easy access and visibility
• Pouches click on and off and for ultimate
tool organisation, are also compatible
with patented ClipTech® pouches
• Includes ClipTech® Hub
• Structured exterior pockets
• Steel ClipTech® bar holds pouches securely
in place – pouches sold separately

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE – WWW.DM-TOOLS.CO.UK – FOR THE LATEST PRICES AND DEALS
 THETOOLSUPERSTORE
HAND, POWER TOOLS & MACHINERY SPECIALIST

DM-TOOLS.CO.UK

Have you visited us

at our Twickenham Superstore?
With over 600 power tools on display from
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We also have an area dedicated to a
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020 8892 3813 • [email protected] (CLOSED BANK HOLIDAYS)
 ON TEST T12EK 2,300W 12mm variable-speed plunge router & T14EK 2,300W workshop router

T12 2,300W 230V

¹⁄₂in plunge router

TREND
T12
& T14
ROUTERS
Trend recently launched
two new 12⁄ in variable
speed plunge routers:
the T12 and T14. Built
for heavy-duty and trade
use, they replace the
previous T10 and T11.
Both models promise
a host of brand-new
features, as Jonathan
Salisbury discovers

hen it comes to large, mains- The large blow-moulded cases supplied

W powered routers, there’s certainly

a wide selection. Trend products,
described as “the expert’s choice,”
could be missed among their competitors’ brightly
coloured offerings, owing to their sleek, black
with both models contain everything you
need to get started – apart from cutters.
At first glance, the T12 and T14 look incredibly
similar, especially from the front – see above.
The large, ergonomic, forward-facing handles
branding. Trend also pride themselves on being
“the leader in all things routing;” in the publicity
material for both new router models they speak
of “class-leading features,” power tools “packed
with innovation,” and that these ably “deliver
speed, accuracy and precision.” I was looking
forward to seeing how the new T12 and T14
performed in comparison to the many others
The new and improved ergonomic inclined handles I’ve used over the years.

Setting up – no power! The T12’s rack & pinion depth post nut The T14’s plunge depth limiter prevents over-cutting

16 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 T14 2,300W 240V
variable-speed
workshop router

The T14 features a unique router table safety switch

Feeding the handles past the table edges

in the left handle for connecting a remote

router table power take-off safety switch.
The only assembly required is to attach
the cyclone dust adaptor. Router extraction
provision is generally more of an after-thought
than something designed in from the outset.
It’s usually unnecessarily bulky with a hose
that fits directly onto the adaptor, low down
and in line with the collet, which makes
the router more awkward to use and cutter
comfortable wrist position, providing changing more difficult. The new top-mount
are reminiscent of bicycle handlebars, and the user with a greater feeling of control. cyclone extraction is radically different, however,
giving the T12 a quick glide over the worktop with a very low profile adaptor and exit tube
was enough to confirm their superiority Ease of use & clever design that hooks over to the side, leaving the area
compared to the rounded paddles found Cutter depth is set using the auto-lock between router body and base completely
on the T10 and T11. The inclined sculpted plunge lever function found on both open. The top section fits to the motor
profile supports a natural and more models, but the differences begin with casing, and the two tubes slide telescopically.
the T14’s height adjustment screw. The
T12 features the conventional knurled nut
with quick-release button, whereas the
T14 has a 2-in-1 plunge and router table
height adjuster, which can be used both
from the top when in hand-held mode,
and from below when mounted in a table.
The T14 model also has a socket located

Using the 2-in-1 height adjuster The underside provides table lift The cyclone dust adaptor fitted in place

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 17

 ON TEST T12EK 2,300W 12mm variable-speed plunge router & T14EK 2,300W workshop router

The improved integrated power trigger Easy to use seven-level variable-speed control dial

or lost, then restored. The soft-start feature, On both new routers, locking occurs once
common to almost all routers nowadays, the lever is released. For free movement, it
is excellent. If there’s any movement once needs to be rotated until it clicks, and once the
either model is switched on, it’s not noticeable. cutter is located in the desired position, a gentle
There’s also a seven-level variable-speed flick of a tab releases the spring-loaded lever,
Top-mount cyclone extraction features an enhanced control, with a range from 9,000-22,000rpm. locking the depth. The only obvious disadvantage
dust adaptor, which prevents hoses from ‘snagging’ The plunge is very nicely balanced – easy to here is that the lever then has to be pressed
push down and rising very smoothly at the correct down in order to unlock.
The extraction connection point is conveniently speed, if both handles are adequately gripped,
mounted on top of the router body, preventing of course. There’s a slight crunch as the springs Quick-set depth post
hoses from snagging on jigs and the workpiece. start to compress; these are internally housed The old depth stop bar has also been replaced.
The substantial mains cable is located next to prevent dust ingress. I was also pleased to A rack & pinion depth post is operated by a
to the extraction port, which is ideal for my find that the previous plunge lock system has large red wheel with indexed 1mm increments
preferred over-the-shoulder method, keeping been completely redesigned. I never really for fast, easy set up. There’s also a micrometer-
it, and the hose, out of harm’s way. liked the lever on the T10/T11, which had to style adjuster positioned on top of the depth
be pressed down firmly in order to lock it. This post bar, with labelled 0.1mm increments and
Power switch & plunge lock required a steady hand, a certain confidence, an easy-to-read display for precision depth
The pull up/push down power switch on the and often resulted in letting go of the handle. adjustments. The zeroing function ring located
previous T10/T11 models has thankfully been beside the red wheel helps to make adjustments
replaced with a trigger on the handle, which easier to calculate. It moves independently
helps to prevent movement when switching on. for recalibration, but I found it far too difficult
Anti-restart protection also prevents start-up to rotate. Recalibration on the micrometer is
if the trigger switch lock is left engaged after also very stiff and the alignment mark scribed
the power supply is momentarily interrupted, on the post isn’t very obvious. The three-
position rotating turret on the base, used

The new auto-lock plunge lever Quick-set depth post with fine height adjuster

The three-position rotating turret The zero reset ring is difficult to turn Comparing the bases of the T14 (left) and T12 (right)

18 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

The Trend guide bush fits well... ... but some will require an additional plate Micro-adjustable side fences are unchanged

to pre-set plunge depth limits for fast, Automatic LED lights illuminate the work rotate the lever sufficiently to allow
repeatable batch and stepped cutting, area and are intended to improve safety plunge movement, hold it while plunging,
is a familiar feature that’s been retained. and accuracy in low-light conditions. However, then release it to lock. This can be carried
Both routers slide easily on their phenolic, I sometimes found these a little bright and out without letting go of the handles and,
low-friction, anti-scratch baseplates and they can cast shadows, especially with the more often than not, there’s no need to use
threaded holes allow Trend guide bushes, dust extraction unit attached and large the catch to keep it in free-plunge mode.
jigs and other devices to be attached directly cutter installed. In my opinion, having the
without the need for an additional sub-base. option to switch them off would be good. T14 in router table mode
However, you may find that add-ons from other After some hand-held work, it was time
manufacturers won’t fit. A 30mm guide bush to try the T14 mounted in a router table.
for routing with templates is supplied, and the Hand-held routing I used the Trend WRT 240V workshop model,
line-up pin ensures the bush is centred with Following a detailed inspection of both units, originally designed for use with the T11. The
the collet. The T12’s base aperture – 70mm I was keen to start putting them through T14’s handles are wider than those on the
at its widest and 65mm at its narrowest – their paces. The 2,300W motor and 80mm T11 and so the new router doesn’t simply drop
is designed to suit large profile and jointing plunge depth is sufficient to cope with deep through the hole as before. It can be installed
cutters. On the T14, the extra-wide 75mm cuts, following the recommended maximum with some careful manoeuvring after the insert
aperture will accommodate over-size cutters, of 50mm steps. As with most large routers, plate is attached, since without assistance it’d
such as panel raisers, when used with a a fair amount of noise is generated on start be tricky to hold the router in the correct place
router table. up, but this was less than expected; wearing under the table if trying to mount it from below.
Parallel fences are of the standard type, appropriate PPE is still a must, however. The Router table cam-lock quick-release mounts
the T12’s being slightly smaller than those T12 is heavier than others I’ve used, but once that rotate into recesses located in the base
on the T14. Both models feature a micro- in place it felt well balanced and the relatively are an optional accessory; these make mounting
adjustable side fence with 0.1mm increments low centre of gravity provided sufficient stability. and unmounting the router quick and easy,
and moveable facings for accurate edge Care is still required when cutting slots into but I used the simpler method of the supplied
rebating, grooving and moulding. a narrow edge, such as a door, and a suitable countersink screws. Plate height is adjusted
jig to increase the router base’s surface area with small grub screws so it’s flush with the
would be preferable for carrying out similar top surface, then locked in place with further
routing tasks. countersink screws.
I started using the auto-locking plunge The WRT’s assembly instructions have
lever as suggested. Once released, the lever yet to be updated for use with the T14, and
returned to its resting position as auto-lock as such, there’s no mention of the NVR – No
is re-engaged, but it was then just out of Volt Release – switch having been replaced
comfortable reach – an undesirable situation
when the router cutter is still spinning under
the surface. The lever can be adjusted by
loosening a screw, moving it to the desired
resting position closer to the handle, then
retightening. This did improve things, but
I soon found that it’s actually easier to just

The released plunge lever is out of reach... ... but adjustment is easy

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 19

 ON TEST T12EK 2,300W 12mm variable-speed plunge router & T14EK 2,300W workshop router

plunge lever to allow movement, and releasing

it to secure the router in place. It’s easy to forget
to do this, even with the printed reminders
placed on top. Access to the collet from the top
is excellent, even though it doesn’t clear the
table surface. The insert plate hole is sufficiently
large enough for a spanner to be angled and
used without slipping. The dust adaptor’s very
low profile ensures no obstruction underneath.
On the subject of dust, you won’t be
disappointed if you’re expecting a considerable
amount! If not removed as it’s produced, the
The wider handles need to be carefully manoeuvred NVR switch as shown in the WRT’s instructions build-up below the table requires frequent
clearing. I used a Trend T32 M-class vacuum,
which did a great job underneath, but the addition
of a hose adaptor to link the extraction spout
on the fence with that of the router – to ensure
dust is removed from both areas simultaneously
– would’ve been extremely handy. Incidentally,
a system of sorts is available from other suppliers.
When using the router in hand-held mode,
fine dust was removed very effectively as the
top-mount cyclone extraction clears anything
that makes its way into the adaptor, leaving a
clear view of the cutter. Heavier shavings were
either expelled along the groove or became
I initially thought the router table safety switch was ... inside the T14’s handle, meaning you don’t have compacted in the slots.
an additional feature, but it’s connected to a port... to reach underneath the table to operate the router Routing deep recesses in pine was smooth
and easy; oak put up a bit more of a fight, but
by the router table power take-off safety cutter height is easy, but can be a bit of reducing the speed and feed yielded excellent
switch – a feature currently unique to Trend a trial. The 2-in-1 plunge and router table results. The 2,300W motor coped admirably
in the UK – which is connected to a socket height adjuster would be more efficient – i.e. with all tasks and at no point did it feel or sound
inside the T14’s handle. The NVR switch on faster – if it had a cranked handle instead of under excessive pressure, except for the usual
the WRT can’t be used with the automatic a hand wheel, especially when the router needs high-pitched cutter scream during deep plunging.
power shut-off feature and so the only option to be lowered for cleaning, cutter changing and Straight slots using the table were similarly easy
would be to reach underneath the table in order when installing or removing it from the table and edge rebating and planing a breeze. Start-up
to operate the router, which Trend naturally – and also lifting from its lowest position. is smooth, speed adjustment easy, and the power
consider incredibly dangerous. At first, I assumed Each 360° turn of the detachable adjuster take-off switch is different, but works very well.
this new switch was an additional, foot-operated gives a mere 1.5mm of vertical movement; It’s set in from the edge, which ensures it can’t
safety device, but as soon as the router didn’t the disc can be moved – more easily this time be accidentally activated, although, personally,
work as expected I realised it obviously wasn’t. – to reset it to zero, so it’s easier to monitor. I’d have liked an emergency foot switch, too.
To cut a long story short, a check with the Trend The router lifts on the right-hand side – as
team put things straight. It was only afterwards opposed to when it’s plunged by pressing Conclusion
that I found the correct setup illustrated on both handles simultaneously – and there Buying a router and table, which are designed
the cardboard sleeve, which wraps around was a little resistance to movement on to work together, makes the process much
the storage box. An addendum to the WRT the left-hand side at first, although this easier and safer, and if you already own a WRT
booklet would have therefore been helpful. disappeared after making a few adjustments. it’s 100% compatible with the new model. For
Once in place and working as it should, The only real inconvenience is when reaching quick and easy edge mouldings or long, straight
I set up to cut a dovetail slot. Adjusting underneath the table to push the auto-lock slots, a table router is difficult to beat. Removing

The micrometer fine height adjuster features 0.1mm increments The plunge lock lever is tucked out of the way

20 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 SPECIFICATION

T12EK 2,300W 1⁄2in plunge router

A trade-focused model perfect for
lock-fitting and worktop joints
Voltage: 240V
Plunge stroke: 0-80mm
Power input: 2,300W
Standard collet diameter: ¹₂⁄ in
No load speed: 9,000-22,000rpm
Dust spout size ID: 35mm
Guide bush diameter supplied: 30mm
There’s plenty of space to access the collet The low profile dust adaptor provides excellent Cutter diameter max (hand-held): 50mm
clearance for cutter changing Base aperture size: 70mm
Rod diameter: 10mm
the T14 from the table for hand-held use is cutter sets. A two-year guarantee is supplied Rod length: 360mm
easy, but I suggest buying the cam-lock quick- as standard and replacement parts for those Rod centres: 100mm
release mounts if you do this frequently. The most likely to suffer wear or breakage are sold Weight: 6.4kg
router body features an integrated router rest at a reasonable price. Overall, both routers feel Sound pressure Lpa: 95.1 dB(A)1
– located on top of the motor casing – which robust and solidly built, yet easy and comfortable Acoustic pressure Lwa: 106.1 dB(A)2
aids stability when upside down on a workbench in use. The new sculpted handles, integrated Hand arm vibration: < 2.1m/s²
as you remove the plate, add bushes or change power trigger and auto-lock plunge lever are
cutters. The only compromise is that the height all great additions. If you’re in the market for Typical price: £557
stop doesn’t feature the same quick-release a powerful router, depending on requirements Web: www.trend-uk.com
thumbwheel found on the T12. On the other and budget, I’d definitely recommend looking
hand, the square-topped nut provides fine at the T12 and T14 in more detail. T14EK 2,300W 1⁄2in workshop router
adjustment control, which the T12 doesn’t have. A high-performance plunge model ideal
The T12 has a smaller base, which reduces the for hand-held and router table use
maximum size of cutter used, but for hand-held Voltage: 240V
routing you shouldn’t be using the largest cutters. Plunge stroke: 0-80mm
The T12 and T14 are both heavy-duty machines, Power input: 2,300W
and as I tend to work on lighter projects, most Standard collet diameter: ¹₂⁄ in
of my router cutters have ¹₄⁄ in shanks. A suitable No load speed: 9,000-22,000rpm
collet isn’t provided with either model and not Dust spout size ID: 35mm
listed on the Trend website as an additional extra, Guide bush diameter supplied: 30mm
but the Trend ¹₂⁄ in router cutter sets provide great Cutter diameter max – table mounted: 85mm
value and are probably the best option. Prices vary Cutter diameter max – hand-held: 50mm
according to chosen retailer, but you’re likely to Base aperture: 75mm
find promotional deals available, as well as those Rod diameter: 10mm
with useful accessories, such as ¹₄⁄ in collets and The need for extraction evidenced Rod length: 360mm
Rod centres: 110mm
Weight: 6.5kg
Sound pressure Lpa: 95.1 dB(A)1
Acoustic pressure Lwa: 106.1 dB(A)2
Hand arm vibration: < 2.1m/s²

Typical price: £719.94

Web: www.trend-uk.com

THE VERDICT
PROS
High quality in all respects; ease of use;
new features are excellent – especially
The router in use, with push stick
cyclone dust adaptor, integrated power
trigger and height adjuster; the T14
doesn’t require a separate router lift

CONS
Using the T14’s supplied 2-in-1 height
adjuster tool is laborious; zero reset rings
on the depth stop bar are too tight

RATING:
PERFORMANCE: 4.75 OUT OF 5
RATING:
VALUE: 5 OUT OF 5
A good finish was achieved on various timbers The integrated router rest aids setup

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 21

 4" BELT/ CS4-6E
6" DISC SANDER
10" TABLE Dust extraction facility
SAW WITH 4" x 36" belt tilts &
EXTENDING locks 0-90°
TABLE 225mm x 160mm table,
tilts 0-90° BEST
£ FROM ONLY SUPERSTORES 370W, 230V motor SELLER
185 .00
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
CTS17
DOUBLE
£222.00 FOOTER
inc.VAT NATIONWIDE £ FROM ONLY
114 .99
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
2000W Max cut DOUBLE
£137.99 FOOTER
inc.VAT
depth of 45° / 90°
(50mm/72mm)
Britain's
Tools & “Excellent machine, very solid
and exactly as described. Very

Machinery Specialist! happy with the purchase”

See www.machinemart.co.uk

10" TABLE SAW HIGH VELOCITY FANS FROM ONLY

£ DOUBLE GARAGES/WORKSHOPS
WITH EXTENSION GIANT 169 EXC.VAT
.98
HEADER
FROM ONLY
CTS14 TABLES (250mm) VENTILATORS DOUBLE
£203.98 FOOTER
inc.VAT 1" BELT/ 5"
SIZES UP
TO 36"
259EXC.VAT
£ .00
DISC SANDER
Ideal for cross cutting, £310.80 inc.VAT
ripping, angle and Includes 2 tables
mitre cutting Easy that tilt & lock
release/locking
mechanism for table £FROM ONLY
extensions 0-45° tilting FROM ONLY
86
DOUBLE
DOUBLE
FOOTER
£104.39
.99
EXC.VAT
inc.VAT
blade Cutting depth: £ DOUBLE
72mm at 90° / 65mm at 45° 43
£52.79
.99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
FOOTER
inc.VAT CAM400 CON500
Model Size exc.VAT inc.VAT Model Size Air Flow exc.VAT inc.VAT LENGTH
£ FROM ONLY SHOWN WITH
149 .98
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
DOUBLE
£179.98 FOOTER OPTIONAL LEG KIT
CBF20 20" £43.99 £52.79 CON305 (110V) 12" 3900m3/hr £169.98 £203.98
BRIGHT WHITE
UP TO 40' Quality
inc.VAT
CLK5 £21.99 CFF18B100 18" £48.99 £58.79 CON350 (110V) 12" 3900m3/hr £199.98 £239.98 Induction
CFF18C100 18" £49.98 £59.98 CAM400 (230V) 16" 7200m3/hr £339.00 £406.80 INTERIOR 250W motor
EXC.VAT CBS1-5B
£26.39 INC.VAT CPF18B100 18" £59.98 £71.98 CON400 (110V) 16" 7200m3/hr £319.00 £382.80 Ideal for use as a garage/
CAMAX24 24" £199.00 £238.80 CAM500 (230V) 20" 9900m3/hr £415.00 £498.00 workshop Extra tough triple
CAMAX30 30" £269.00 £322.80 CON500 (110V) 20" 9900m3/hr £379.00 £454.80 layer cover Heavy duty powder
DUST EXTRACTOR/ CAMAX36 36" £349.00 £418.80 coated steel tubing ZIP CLOSE DOOR
CHIP COLLECTORS PLUNGE SAWS Ratchet tight tensioning *NEW 4" BELT/
8" TABLE SAW 8" DISC SANDER
CPS160 Model size (LxWxH) exc.VAT inc.VAT
CWVE1 CTS800C FROM ONLY CIG81212 3.6 x 3.6 x 2.5m £259.00 £310.80 Includes two
£ DOUBLE
69 .98
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT CIG81015 4.5 x 3 x 2.4m £289.00 £346.80 tables 550W
230V motor
FOOTER
£83.98 inc.VAT CIG81216 4.9 x 3.7 x 2.5m £329.00 £394.80
CIG81020 6.1 x 3 x 2.4m £359.00 £430.80
CIG81220 6.1 x 3.7 x 2.5m £399.00 £478.80
CIG81224 7.3 x 3.7 x 2.5m £499.00 £598.80
CIG1432* 9.7x4.3x3.65m £1159.00 £1390.80
INC. 2X 700mm CIG1640* 12x4.9x4.3m £3250.00 £3900.00
GUIDE RAILS
£ FROM ONLY
Model Motor exc.VAT inc.VAT BELT SANDERS 189 .00
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
DOUBLE
£226.80 FOOTER
inc.VAT
CPS85 550W £69.98 £83.98 CBS2 ABRASIVE
HEADER
FROM ONLY
NEW CPS160 1200W £119.00 £142.80 SANDING
CS48
CS4-8
Powerful
CDE7B £
119EXC.VAT.00
1100W 500W motor
£FROM ONLY
84 .99
DOUBLE
DOUBLEEXC.VAT FROM ONLY
BELTS IN
£142.80 inc.VAT FOOTER
£101.99 inc.VAT CIRCULAR SAWS £ DOUBLE Ideal for surface STOCK
motor 200mm Blade Dia.
Great range of DIY and 44 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT removal, sanding
50 litre bag capacity
CPF13 professional saws Ideal
FOOTER
£53.99 inc.VAT
and finishing 6" BELT / 9"
Flow rate of 450M3/h CS6-9D DISC SANDER
for bevel cutting NEW AVAILABLE IN
(0-45°) 230 FROM ONLY 1100W motor
Flow Bag ELECTRIC & £ DOUBLE
39 .98
DOUBLE Use vertically or
Model Motor Rate Cap. exc.VAT inc.VAT POWER EXC.VAT
CWVE1 1100W 183 M3/h 50Ltrs £119.00 £142.80
CDE35B 750W 450 M3/h 56Ltrs £179.98 £215.98 FILE 110
VOLT
FOOTER
£47.98 inc.VAT horizontally
Model Motor M/Min exc.VAT inc.VAT DUST £ FROM ONLY
CDE7B 750W 850 M3/h114Ltrs £189.98 £227.98 Clarke BS1 900W 380 £39.98 £47.98 PORT 329 .00
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
DOUBLE
£394.80 FOOTER
inc.VAT
Variable FROM ONLY ARM Clarke CBS2 1200W 480 £89.98 £107.98
18V CORDLESS belt speed £ DOUBLE
49 .98
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
ADJUSTS Makita 9911 650W 75-270 £99.98 £119.98
LI-ION STAPLE / Tilting head £59.98
FOOTER
inc.VAT *Includes BELT/DISC
NAIL GUN *Black & Decker laser guide CON185B TABLE
Includes 300 nails ADJUSTS 0-45°
and 400 staples SPARE Belt Size Max Cut PALM
1x 2Ah 18V Li-Ion NAILS / Model Motor (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT Model Motor 90/45 (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT SANDERS
battery STAPLES CPF13 400W/230V 13x457 £49.98 £59.98 CCS185B 1200W 65/44 £44.99 £53.99 INCLUDES STAND
CON185B* 1600W 63/43 £59.98 £71.98 Ideal for
IN STOCK KA900E* 350W/230V 13x455 £59.98 £71.98 detail sanding
1 X2Ah of corners &
hard to reach
areas DISC SANDER
SHEET CON320
(305MM)
18V BRUSHLESS SANDERS CPS125 £FROM ONLY
COMBI DRILLS INC DUST EXTRACTION
22 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
DOUBLE Powerful, bench
2 forward and
FOOTER
£27.59 inc.VAT mounted 900W
Ergonomic Dust extraction
reverse gears design for port
FROM ONLY optimum
£ DOUBLE comfort
CONSN18LIC 99
DOUBLE
.98
EXC.VAT FROM ONLY
£ DOUBLE
FOOTER
£119.98 inc.VAT 24 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT 3-IN-1 £ FROM ONLY
CON180LI
VARIABLE SPEED FOOTER
£29.99 inc.VAT MULTI 169 .00
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
DOUBLE
£202.80 FOOTER
inc.VAT
£ FROM ONLY
124 .99
DOUBLEEXC.VAT Model Sheet Size Motor exc.VAT inc.VAT SANDER
DOUBLE
£149.99 FOOTER
inc.VAT Model Volts Batteries exc.VAT inc.VAT COS210 190x90mm 200W £24.99 £29.99
ELECTRIC AND CORDLESS CON18LIC 18V 2x 2.0Ah Li-Ion £99.98 £119.98 C0N320 230x115mm 320W CDS300B CDS300B
£35.99 £43.19 CMS200 £FROM ONLY
MODELS IN STOCK CON180LI 18V 2x 4.0Ah Li-Ion £129.00 £154.80 49 .98
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
DOUBLE
FOOTER
£59.98 inc.VAT DETAIL SANDERS
FROM ONLY POWER
£ DOUBLE
57 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT PLANERS • Perfect for
FOOTER
£69.59 inc.VAT smooth
WET & DRY DRILL PRESSES and fine
CDS-1V
Range of precision bench finishing
VACUUM & floor presses for along with
CLEANERS enthusiast, engineering &
1/3SHEET DISC hard to
SANDER SANDER reach £FROM ONLY
Compact, high
performance wet &
industrial applications
areas 27 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
DOUBLE
FOOTER
£33.59 inc.VAT
FROM ONLY B = Bench 280W
dry vacuum cleaners RANDOM ORBITAL or curved
£ DOUBLE
84
DOUBLE
.99
EXC.VAT
mounted surfaces ALL MODELS INC. SANDING SHEETS
for use around the SANDER
£101.99 inc.VAT F = Floor CDP102B
FOOTER FROM ONLY Adjustable front
home, workshop, standing £ DOUBLE COBS1
garage etc.
Motor (W)
36 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
FOOTER
£44.39 inc.VAT
handle improves
control
* SS = Stainless Steel OSCILLATING
model Speeds exc.VAT inc.VAT 7000-
Dry/Wet CDP5EB 350 / 5 £84.99 £101.99 CON950 14000rpm BOBBIN
Model Motor Capacity exc.VAT inc.VAT CDP102B 350 / 5 £99.98 £119.98 CROS3
CVAC20P 1250W 17/13 ltr £57.99 £69.59 CDP152B 450 / 12 £189.98 £227.98 Width SANDER
CVAC20PR2 1400W 14/12 ltr £71.99 £86.39 CDP202B 450 / 16 £239.00 £286.80 Model of Cut Motor exc.VAT inc.VAT Dust collection
CVAC20SS* 1400W 17/13 ltr £69.98 £83.98 CDP352F 550 / 16 £298.00 £357.60 CEP450 60mm 450W £36.99 £44.39 INC DUST BAG AND port Inc. 6 sanding
£FROM ONLY
CVAC25SS* 1400W 20/17 ltr £77.99 £93.59 CDP452B 550 / 16 £299.00 £358.80 CEP720B 82mm 720W £44.99 £53.99 SELECTION OF 125MM 36 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
DOUBLE
sleeves/bobbins
CVAC30SSR* 1400W 24/22 ltr £99.98 £119.98 CDP502F 1100 / 12 £739.00 £886.80 CON950 110mm 950W £69.98 £83.98 DIAMETER SANDING DISCS FOOTER
£44.39 inc.VAT £ FROM ONLY
149
DOUBLE
.98
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
£179.98 FOOTER
inc.VAT
BOLTLESS SHELVING/ WHETSTONE CPT800
BENCHES SHARPENER PLANERS &
Simple fast Produces razor (200MM) THICKNESSERS OSCILLATING
assembly in sharp cutting edges on BELT & BOBBIN
minutes using chisels, planes, etc. Inc. 3 CWS200B Ideal for
only a tool holding jigs, DIY & SANDER
hammer £FROM ONLY
workpiece clamp Hobby use Sand concave,
DOUBLE
35
.99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
FOOTER
£43.19 inc.VAT & support Dual purpose, convex, straight
frame, polishing for both or multi-curved
finishing & £ FROM HEADER
ONLY
(evenly paste & water pieces Dust
distributed) CHOICE OF trough sizing of 229EXC.VAT
.00
£274.80 inc.VAT
collection port
Strong 9mm 5 COLOURS timber Inc. sleeves,
fibreboard drum & belt
PER SHELF shelves RED, BLUE, GREY, SILVER & GALVANISED STEEL
Planing Max Thick
(evenly Dims exc. inc. Model Width Capacity exc.VAT inc.VAT £ FROM ONLY
350 distributed)
Strong 12 mm
Model WxDxH(mm) VAT VAT £ FROM ONLY
139 .98
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
CPT600 6" (152mm) 120mm £229.00 £274.80 198 .00
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
DOUBLE
£237.60 FOOTER
inc.VAT
KG
fibreboard
150kg 800x300x1500 £35.99 £43.19 DOUBLE
£167.98 FOOTER
inc.VAT CPT800 8" (204mm) 120mm £279.00 £334.80
PER SHELF shelves 350kg 900x400x1800 £54.99 £65.99 CPT1000 10" (254mm) 120mm £379.00 £454.80 COEBS1
32002LH
 FREE
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40" WOODTURNING LATHE MAGNIFIED

Ideal for woodturning in the workshop MITRE PROFESSIONAL BANDSAWS
Distance between centres allows for turning longer spindles BENCH GUIDE
Inc. tool rest, tail stock, drive centre & face plate Large turning BANDSAWS Top Quality Bandsaws - ideal for
capacity of 350mm 4 turning speeds • Produces fast, professional workshop use. Strong steel
precise mitre & body with solid cast iron table
BENCH longitudinal cuts • Table tilts 45° • Adjustable blade guide
MOUNTED • 250W motor • Supplied with stand, 4TPI wood cutting
• 8” throat size blade, rip fence, mitre guide, mitre gauge
CWL1000B and push stick • Induction motors
• Cuts in all types
of woods
£ FROM ONLY
159 .98
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
DOUBLE
£191.98 FOOTER
inc.VAT
CBS205 MODELS ALSO FEATURE:
£ FROM ONLY
119
DOUBLE
.98
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
£143.98 FOOTER
inc.VAT
QUICK
RELEASE
SOLID
GROUND
MULTI-STEP
DUST
BEST LOCKABLE FENCE CAST IRON EXTRACTION
SELLER TABLE OUTLET
TAILSTOCK
NEW DRIVE-BELT
TENSIONING FLEXIBLE LED
WORKLIGHT
40" WOODTURNING LATHE • Great for both home
& professional use
WITH COPY FOLLOWER • Induction 300W REMOVABLE BLADE TENSIONING
Ideal for DIY, furniture or joinery workshops CBS300 CONTROL
motor • Table tilts up DUST TRAY
where repeat quantities are required to 45° • 9” throat size
Large 980mm distance between centres
£ FROM ONLY Variable speeds 600-2200rpm Inc. copy Throat Max Cut Max Cut
CWL1000CF 439 .00
DOUBLEEXC.VAT follower assembly, tool rest, drive centre £ FROM ONLY HEADER
FROM ONLY Model Depth 90º 45º exc.VAT inc.VAT
DOUBLE
£526.80 FOOTER
inc.VAT tail stock assembly, face plate, eye shield 219 .98
DOUBLEEXC.VAT
DOUBLE
£263.98 FOOTER
inc.VAT 229EXC.VAT
£ .00 CBS250C 245mm/10" 115mm 65mm £229.00 £274.80
& stand £274.80 inc.VAT CBS300 305mm/12" 165mm 115mm £498.00 £597.60
CBS350 340mm/14" 225mm 160mm £639.00 £766.80
REMOVABLE
DUST TRAY ROUTERS GRINDERS &
STANDS
INCLUDES Stands come complete
• Powerful
COPY INCLUDES heavy duty with bolt mountings
and feet
FUNCTION CBS225 machines 6" & 8"
STAND anchor holes AVAILABLE
ideal for trade
and DIY use FROM ONLY
WITH LIGHT
TURBO AIR COMPRESSORS 13" MINI STATIC PHASE FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE
42 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT STANDS FROM ONLY
£ DOUBLE
Superb range ideal for hobby
& semi-professional use
WOOD LATHE CONVERTERS 47 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
FOOTER
£57.59 inc.VAT
FOOTER
£51.59 inc.VAT £65.99 INC.VAT
PRICE CUT Run big 3 phase PC60
CR4
HEADER
FROM ONLY
£
179DOUBLE .00
exc.VAT
£214.80 inc.VAT
woodworking
machines
£
119EXC.VAT
.98
£143.98 inc.VAT
WAS £225.59 inc.VAT from 1
phase
supply
Variable
TIGER output Motor Plunge
16/550 power to Model (W) (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT
match HP CR1200 1200 0-55 £47.99 £57.59
of motor to CR4 2000 0-66 £99.98 £119.98
be run RECIPROCATING SAWS Wheel
CWL325V Model Duty Dia. exc.VAT inc.VAT
• Ideal for enthusiasts/ FROM ONLY
AVAILABLE IN
hobbyists with small workshops CON850B 230 CBG6RP DIY 150mm £42.99 £51.59
£ DOUBLE
• 325mm distance between centres • 200mm CONVERT 230V
HEADER
FROM ONLY 37 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT & CBG6RZ PRO 150mm £59.98 £71.98
max. turning capacity (dia) • 0.2HP motor 1PH TO 400V 3PH
£
269EXC.VAT.00
£322.80 inc.VAT
FOOTER
£45.59 inc.VAT
110 CBG6250LW
CBG6250L
HD
HD
150mm
150mm
£59.98
£68.99
£71.98
£82.79
Model Motor CFM Tank exc.VAT inc.VAT VOLT
CBG6SB PRO 150mm £74.99 £89.99
Tiger 8/260 2HP 7 24ltr £119.98 £143.98 Max. CBG8370LW HD 200mm £94.99 £113.99
Tiger 11/550 2.5HP 9.3 50ltr £189.98 £227.98 Model Motor HP Fuse exc.VAT inc.VAT
Tiger 16/550 3HP 14.5 50ltr £249.00 £298.80 PC20 2HP 10Amps £269.00 £322.80 10" SLIDING
Tiger 16/1050 3HP 14.5 100ltr £319.00 £382.80 JIGSAWS PC40 3.5HP 20Amps £329.00 £394.80 NEW MITRE SAW
PC60 5.5HP 32Amps £389.00 £466.80 • 850W motor
• For fast, accurate cross,
WOODWORKING CON750
• Includes 3 wood & 3 metal blades
bevel & mitre cutting in
FROM ONLY
VICES £ DOUBLE Model Motor exc.VAT inc.VAT most hard & soft woods
BEST SCROLL 99
DOUBLE
.98
EXC.VAT
FOOTER
£119.98 inc.VAT CRS710V 710W £37.99 £45.59 • 2000W motor
SELLER CON850B 850W £49.98 £59.98 CMS10S2B
SAWS
• 50mm max MULTI FUNCTION
FROM ONLY cut thickness PRICE CUT
£ DOUBLE
14 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT • Air-blower TOOL WITH ACCESSORY KIT £
159DOUBLE .00
exc.VAT
FOOTER
£17.99 inc.VAT FROM ONLY removes • Great for sawing, cutting, sanding, polishing, £190.80 inc.VAT
WV7 £ DOUBLE chiselling & much more
Jaw 15 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
FOOTER
£19.19 inc.VAT
dust from
• Variable speed
WAS £214.80 inc.VAT

cutting area
(Width/Opening exc. inc.
• Table tilts BEST LASER
Model Mounting Depth) mm VAT VAT £FROM ONLY
Clarke Bolted 150/152/61 £14.99 £14.99 Depth of 0-45° SELLER 37 .99
DOUBLE
EXC.VAT
DOUBLE
FOOTER
£45.59 inc.VAT CMFT250
GUIDE
CHT152 Power Cut (Wood/ exc. inc. CSS400C
Record Clamped 75/50/32 £24.99 £24.99 Model (W) Steel) VAT VAT Model Motor Speed RPM exc.VAT inc.VAT
TV75B CJS400 400W 55/ - mm £15.99 £19.19 CSS400D 120W 400-1600 £99.98 £119.98
Clarke Bolted 180/205/78 £36.99 £36.99 CON750 750W 80/10mm £29.98 £35.98 CSS16VB 90W 550-1600 £114.99 £137.99 Blade Max Cut
WV7 Bosch PST700E 500W 70/4mm £48.99 £58.79 CSS400C 90W 550-1600 £144.99 £173.99 Dia/Bore Depth/
Model (mm) Cross exc.VAT inc.VAT
1000’S SPECIALIST WOODWORKING TOOLS ONLINE – MACHINEMART.CO.UK CMS10S2B 255/3 90/340 £159.00 £190.80
V
VISIT YOUR LOCAL SUPERSTORE OPEN MON-FRI 8.30-6.00,
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5 EASY WAYS TO BUY...
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CARLISLE 85 London Rd. CA1 2LG 01228 591666 LINCOLN Unit 5. The Pelham Centre. LN5 8HG 01522 543 036 SOUTHAMPTON 516-518 Portswood Rd. 023 8055 7788
0115 956 5555
CHELTENHAM 84 Fairview Road. GL52 2EH 01242 514 402 LIVERPOOL 80-88 London Rd. L3 5NF 0151 709 4484 SOUTHEND 1139-1141 London Rd. Leigh on Sea 01702 483 742
CHESTER 43-45 St. James Street. CH1 3EY 01244 311258 LONDON CATFORD 289/291 Southend Lane SE6 3RS 0208 695 5684
COLCHESTER 4 North Station Rd. CO1 1RE 01206 762831 LONDON 6 Kendal Parade, Edmonton N18 020 8803 0861
STOKE-ON-TRENT 382-396 Waterloo Rd. Hanley
SUNDERLAND 13-15 Ryhope Rd. Grangetown
01782 287321
0191 510 8773
CLICK & COLLECT
COVENTRY Bishop St. CV1 1HT 024 7622 4227 LONDON 503-507 Lea Bridge Rd. Leyton, E10 020 8558 8284 OVER 10,500 LOCATIONS
SWANSEA 7 Samlet Rd. Llansamlet. SA7 9AG 01792 792969
CROYDON 423-427 Brighton Rd, Sth Croydon 020 8763 0640 LUTON Unit 1, 326 Dunstable Rd, Luton LU4 8JS 01582 728 063
SWINDON 21 Victoria Rd. SN1 3AW 01793 491717
DARLINGTON 214 Northgate. DL1 1RB 01325 380 841 MAIDSTONE 57 Upper Stone St. ME15 6HE 01622 769 572
DEAL (KENT) 182-186 High St. CT14 6BQ 01304 373 434 MANCHESTER ALTRINCHAM 71 Manchester Rd. Altrincham 0161 9412 666 TWICKENHAM 83-85 Heath Rd.TW1 4AW 020 8892 9117
DERBY Derwent St. DE1 2ED 01332 290 931 MANCHESTER CENTRAL 209 Bury New Road M8 8DU 0161 241 1851 WARRINGTON Unit 3, Hawley’s Trade Pk.
WIGAN 2 Harrison Street, WN5 9AU
01925 630 937
01942 323 785
CALL & COLLECT
DONCASTER Wheatley Hall Road 01302 245 999 MANCHESTER OPENSHAW Unit 5, Tower Mill, Ashton Old Rd 0161 223 8376
DUNDEE 24-26 Trades Lane. DD1 3ET
EDINBURGH 163-171 Piersfield Terrace
01382 225 140
0131 659 5919
MANSFIELD 169 Chesterfield Rd. South
MIDDLESBROUGH Mandale Triangle, Thornaby
01623 622160
01642 677881
WOLVERHAMPTON Parkfield Rd. Bilston
WORCESTER 48a Upper Tything. WR1 1JZ
01902 494186
01905 723451
SAME DAY
32002RH Calls to the catalogue request number above (0844 880 1265) cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. For security reasons, calls may be monitored. All prices correct
*
at time of going to press. We reserve the right to change products and prices at any time. All offers subject to availability, E&OE. Terms & conditions apply see machinemart.co.uk/finance for more details
 1ST PRIZE: T14 2,300W 12⁄ in workshop
WIN! router with WRT 240V workshop router table
2ND PRIZE: T12 2,300W 12⁄ in plunge router
To celebrate the launch of the new T12 and
T14 routers, Trend is giving two lucky readers
the chance to win either first prize of a T14
workshop router & WRT router table, or second
prize of a T12 plunge router – ggood luck!
WRT 240V floor-standing
workshop router table
• Packed with necessary features to
maximise the versatility of all popular
portable routers
• Phenolic surface: ultra-durable, stable and
flat surface for friction-free stock feeding
• Quick-release aluminium extrusion
back fence with sliding MDF cheeks
• Removable 6.35mm-thick aluminium
insert plate with 98mm diameter aperture,
pre-drilled for Trend T11 and T14 routers
• Quick raiser and quick release facility
for Trend T11 and T14 routers
T14 2,300W 1⁄2in workshop router
• High back fence with fully adjustable
guard assembly
High-performance plunge router with • Top-mount cyclone extraction • Fully adjustable side finger pressure
advanced safety features, engineered • Ergonomic inclined handles • Front and side adjustable feather
to deliver reliable, fast and accurate cuts. • Quick-set depth post pressure guards
Perfect for hand-held and router table use • Micrometer fine height adjuster • Steel leg frame assembly with adjustable feet
• Powerful 2,300W motor • Integrated power trigger prevents accidental • Six insert rings to reduce table aperture
• 80mm plunge depth movement and kick-back when switching • Lead on pin for bearing-guided curved work
• Automatic power shut-off the router on and off • Edge planing facility on back fence of 1.4mm
• Router table safety switch – replaces the need • Micro-adjustable side fence and 2.4mm
for a typical NVR – No Volt Release – switch • Automatic LED worklights • Cable management clips
• 2-in-1 plunge & router table height adjuster • Corrosion-resistant phosphor bronze bushings • No volt release switch
• Trend Base Configuration • Anti-scratch baseplate • Mitre fence with zeroing and spelch
• Precision centring system • Integrated router rest block facility
• Auto-lock plunge lever • ER style collet
• Router table cam-lock quick-release mounts
• Extra-wide 75mm base aperture SPECIFICATION
• Seven-level variable speed control – ranges Rating: Professional/trade
from 9,000-22,000rpm Voltage: 240V
Plunge stroke: 0-80mm
Power input: 2,300W
Standard collet diameter: ¹₂⁄ in
No load speed: 9,000-22,000rpm
Dust spout size ID: 35mm
Guide bush diameter supplied: 30mm
Cutter diameter max – table mounted: 85mm
Cutter diameter max – hand-held: 50mm
Base aperture: 75mm
Rod diameter: 10mm
Rod length: 360mm
Rod centres: 110mm
Weight: 6.5kg
Sound pressure Lpa: 95.1 dB(A)1
Acoustic pressure Lwa: 106.1 dB(A)2
Hand arm vibration: < 2.1m/s²

24 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 1ST PRIZE Trend T12 & T14 routers COMPETITION

worth
£1,200
2ND PRIZE
worth
£557

SPECIFICATION
Rating: Professional/craftsman
Table top size: 804 × 604 × 35mm
Bench height: 890mm
Router cutter aperture: 98mm
Max cutter diameter: 86mm
Max cutter height: 55mm
Max component length: 800mm
Insert ring sizes: 20, 31.8/67.5, 35, 54, 68 & 83mm
Backfence height: 68mm
Dust spout aperture: 57mm • Wide base aperture – to suit
Edge planing up to: 1.4 & 2.4mm large profile and jointing cutters
Weight: 27.5kg • ER style collet
Voltage: 240V • Three-position rotating turret
Max material thickness with pressures: 60mm • Plunge depth limiter
Max material width with pressures: 130mm – • Spindle lock
cutter centre
SPECIFICATION
Rating: Professional/trade
Voltage: 240V
Plunge stroke: 0-80mm
Power input: 2,300W
Standard collet diameter: ¹₂⁄ in
No load speed: 9,000-22,000rpm
Dust spout size ID: 35mm
Guide bush diameter supplied: 30mm
Cutter diameter max (hand-held): 50mm
Base aperture size: 70mm
Rod diameter: 10mm
Rod length: 360mm
Rod centres: 100mm
Weight: 6.4kg
Sound pressure Lpa: 95.1 dB(A)1
T12 2,300W ¹⁄₂in plunge router Acoustic pressure Lwa: 106.1 dB(A)2
Hand arm vibration: < 2.1m/s²
High-performance trade-focused plunge router
with advanced safety features, engineered
to deliver reliable, fast and accurate cuts HOW TO ENTER
• Powerful 2,300W motor
• 80mm plunge depth To be in with a chance of winning either 1st prize of a T14 2,300W ¹⁄₂in workshop
• Trend Base Configuration router with WRT 240V workshop router table, or 2nd prize of a T12 2,300W
• Auto-lock plunge lever ¹⁄₂in plunge router, visit www.thewoodworkermag.com/category/win and follow
• Automatic power shut-off the instructions given. In order to qualify for entry, you must register as a website
• Seven-level variable speed control
and forum member – see www.thewoodworkermag.com/forums – tell us why
ranges – from 9,000-22,000rpm
• Top-mount cyclone extraction you’d like to win either or both prizes, as well as answering the multiple choice
• Ergonomic inclined handles question below:
• Quick-set depth post
• Micrometer fine height adjuster QUESTION: What’s the plunge stroke on the T14 router?
• Integrated power trigger
A: 0-75mm B: 0-80mm C: 0-60mm
• Micro-adjustable side fence
• Automatic LED worklights The winners will be randomly drawn from all correct entries. The first prize winner will be selected followed by
• Corrosion-resistant phosphor bronze bushings the second prize winner. The closing date for the competition is 20 May 2022. Only one entry per person; multiple
• Anti-scratch baseplate entries will be discarded. Employees of MyTimeMedia Ltd and Trend are not eligible to enter this competition
• Integrated router rest

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 25

 ON TEST – ARCHIVE General Finishes Pearl Effects & Extender

GENERAL FINISHES
PEARL EFFECTS &
ENDURO EXTENDER
Add a metallic touch to your furniture
projects with this great range of Pearl
Effects paints from General Finishes
he Pearl Effects range from

T General Finishes allows you to impart

a burnished look on any finish – a
worn gilded effect on a moulded piece
such as a mirror or picture frame, for example.
You can experiment to achieve different effects
and the General Finishes website has a video
showing plenty of different techniques – give
it a watch to pick up some tips before you start.

Garden planter
I decided to apply the Pearl Effects to a garden A suitable base coat is first The base coat is de-nibbed with An external top coat is applied
planter I recently made. I started by applying a applied – I used a milk paint a fine abrasive and dusted off to seal the surface, ready for
base coat of milk paint, choosing to use Patina from General Finishes the Pearl Effects
Green, but the Pearl Effects can be used over
any of the General Finishes milk paints, stains The Enduro Extender stops the Pearl Effects but if applying outside in warm weather,
and water-based topcoats in the range. from drying too quickly so that you can work it it does begin to dry quite rapidly, even with
One coat of the Patina Green was sufficient in easier, but you still need a bit of practise to the Extender, so you need to decide if you’re
to gain a solid base colour. I gave it a quick de-nib achieve the desired effect. It’s not a cheap finish happy with what you have fairly quickly.
once dry and a coat of Exterior Top Coat to seal, but a little goes a very long way. I used a small I’m quite pleased with the result although
then another de-nib, and I was ready to go. amount of the Pearl with a squirt of Extender, the finished photo doesn’t do it justice as the
The instructions advise not to go back over which was sufficient to coat the entire planter. camera picks up the silver and misses a lot of
previously applied Pearl Effects as you work, First dab the brush onto a rag to soak off any the underlying blue, but it’s fairly uniform and the
but the Argentine Pearl is a bold silver and I found excess, then dab, drag and brush the finish effect I achieved is quite impressive in sunlight.
that it does block out the base colour if brushed over the work. The silvering begins to build up A bit more practice on some better timber should
on too thickly, even though it’s meant to be a while still allowing the blue to break through. yield more consistent and controllable results.
translucent finish, so I went for a dry brush effect. If you over-apply, simply wipe off with a cloth,
Conclusion
Although the directions state that the range
is only suitable for indoor use, I gave it a couple
of coats of external finish to seal it in so it should
hopefully stand up to our British climate, but for
indoor use on mouldings and furniture you can
achieve some nice effects, especially if you mix
the Pearls available and alter the base coats.

SPECIFICATION
Pearl Effects colours: Argentine; Bronze;
Burnished; Champagne; Copper; Tawny
A sparse amount is needed; a small squirt Wipe any excess off onto a rag to allow a fine, Quantity sizes: 473 & 946ml
of Extender allows for a longer working time dry build-up of the Pearl Effects
Typical prices: Pearl Effects – £51.75 (473ml);
Enduro Extender – £7.95 (118ml)
Web: www.eurofinishes.com

THE VERDICT
PROS
Nice metallic effects; easy to apply

CONS
Achieving the best results does require
practice; quite expensive

As you brush it on the silvering becomes Although the photo looks blotchy, the finish RATING: 3.5 out of 5
apparent while the blue still shows through is uniform and actually quite pleasing

26 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 NEW
tool technology

T12 T14
THE BEST... 2300W 1/2”
PLUNGE
ROUTER
2300W 1/2”
WORKSHOP
ROUTER

WITH ROUTER TABLE

SAFETY SWITCH

80mm Plunge Depth

80mm

Precision Centring System

Top-Mount Cyclone Extraction

Auto-Locking Plunge Lever

...JUST GOT BETTER

www.trend-uk.com/T12-T14
 ENTRY :
NE
DEADLI 022
2
31 July try fee
n
A £20 e and a
app li e s o
m of tw
maximu n be made
a
entries cper entry)
( £ 2 0

THE

FURNITURE AWARD
20 22
For the second year running, this is your opportunity to
be part of a prestigious annual award, which champions
UK furniture design and making talent while celebrating
the life and work of the late Alan Peters OBE

Woodland Heritage – Patron of The Alan Peters Furniture Award 2022

022
Woodland Heritage was established as a charity For many years, the charity sponsored the ‘Best
27 years ago, in 1994, by two cabinetmakers use of British Timber’ award at the Celebration
keen to ‘put something back’. of Craftsmanship & Design exhibition in Cheltenham,
A membership-based organisation, the charity which recognised the creative talents of both
supports the resilient management of woodlands, established woodworkers and those relatively
development of the timber supply chain, furthering new to making.
of knowledge and skills within the forestry and Since 2016, Woodland Heritage has owned
timber sectors as well as within the general public, Whitney Sawmills in Herefordshire, with its support
and tackling of threats to the future supply of high- for research into Acute Oak Decline dating back to
quality UK timber. 2009, since which time £2.5m has been raised
As well as running the popular ‘From Woodland to tackle this threat to our most popular tree. 2019 winner of Woodland
to Workshop’ courses and a Field Weekend each HRH The Prince of Wales has been Patron Heritage’s ‘Best Use of
year, Woodland Heritage produces an annual of Woodland Heritage since 2005. For more British Timber Award’
Journal for its members. information, see www.woodlandheritage.org – Adrian McCurdy’s ‘Ark’

&

28 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 The Alan Peters Furniture Award 2022 FEATURE

his annual award celebrates the legacy of one of his respect and understanding of how wood behaves and the

T Britain’s most prominent furniture designer-makers

of the late 20th century while aiming to encourage
all talent in the craft of furniture design and making.
Any woodworker who’s a resident citizen of the British Isles,
over the age of 18, with a passion and talent for designing and
value of hand skill, while moving tradition forward, resulted in the
creation of many timeless pieces. He created affordable, functional
furniture, which was built to last, making an art of his craft in some
of his subtle innovations.

making contemporary furniture, is invited to submit up to two History of the award

pieces made primarily of wood. These can also include, if applicants The original award was called ‘The Alan Peters Award For
so wish, other complementary materials that echo Alan Peters’ Excellence’ and was initiated by Jason Heap in 2010. The prize was
design philosophy. Judging is based on the appropriate use of material, offered to three winners, each of whom were given free exhibition
quality of workmanship, functionality, as well as originality of design. space alongside the professionals at his annual furniture event in
Both one-off designs and potential batch-produced designs are Cheltenham. The award ran for eight years and the judging panel
encouraged and the piece(s) doesn’t have to be large. Applicants comprised of Jason Heap, Keith Newton and Jeremy Broun.
should be familiar with the work of Alan Peters prior to applying and Following the success of the 2021 online award, it’s hoped
are encouraged to read organiser Jeremy Broun’s 64-page online that this year there will be a physical exhibition along with a
video-integrated e-book, which is offered free-of-charge here: judging ceremony. Further details will be given in the next issue.
www.woodomain.com/alanpetersaward2022 .
Expert judging panel
The man behind the award Jeremy Broun (Organiser) – designer-maker and co-exhibitor
Alan Peters OBE (1933–2009) was one of Britain’s most prominent with Alan Peters from 1978–2002
furniture designer-makers of the latter part of the 20th century. Andrew Lawton – designer-maker who worked with Alan Peters
He was apprenticed to Edward Barnsley and had a direct link to as well as on his last commission
the English Arts and Crafts Movement. He was hugely influential Freya Whamond – Yorkshire-based woodworker and furniture
internationally in his practice, teaching and publications. Above all, designer-maker.

PRIZES OFFERED
1ST
2021 PRIZE Axminster Tools
AWARD voucher
WINNERS 2ND
PRIZE English Woodlands
Timber voucher

1ST PRIZE 3RD

PRIZE Judges’ prize
Overall winner of
The Alan Peters Online This award is open to any resident citizen
Furniture Award 2021: of the British Isles, aged over 18, who has
Andrew Lapthorn’s an enthusiasm and flair for woodworking.
‘Remnant’ table A piece of furniture – indoor or outdoor –
is to be made and six high resolution JPEG
images submitted, together with a Word
document description. Shortlisted applicants
will be asked to engage in a Zoom video call
2ND PRIZE or submit a one-minute mobile phone video
Aidan Donovan’s introducing themselves and describing
‘WAGA’ table the piece(s).
in English elm
Judging of entries will take place in August
followed by an exhibition(s) in September
– exact dates TBA

It’s important to get designing and making

straight away, as the submission deadline
is 31 July 2022. To download an application
An exhibition form and view the free 64-page e-book, visit
programme for www.woodomain.com/alanpetersaward2022.
winning pieces is The entry form can be found at the right
3RD PRIZE being planned of the page. Payment for entry can also be
for August/ made securely via the website. For further
Nick Newlands’ September – information, contact either Group Editor Tegan
‘Art Chest’ in cherry look out for Foley [email protected]), or
and sycamore LATEST NEWS organiser Jeremy Broun ([email protected])

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 29

COMPETITION

There’s a £200 Amazon voucher up

WIN
WITH
for grabs, plus a bundle of Liberon
woodcare products worth over £120

We’re teaming up with woodcare

experts, Liberon, to give you the
opportunity to showcase your
woodworking skills and win
a prize bundle worth over £300
core items in Liberon’s top quality range.
These are designed to help both professional
ENTRY DETAILS
and amateur woodworkers achieve a beautiful 1. Send your entry to the following email
finish on a wide range of projects. address – [email protected]
– with ‘Liberon competition’ as the
subject title
Wood dyes
Liberon’s Spirit Wood Dye is an ethanol-based 2. In order for your entry to qualify,
product ideal for dense hardwoods. To achieve please provide the following information:
your preferred shade, any of the eight colours a) Your name; b) Confirmation of email
in which it’s offered can be mixed together. address; c) A contact telephone number;
Available in a choice of 13 different shades, d) 1-3 photos of your woodworking project
Running over the next three issues, in conjunction Liberon’s Palette Wood Dye allows you to achieve – please ensure these are in JPEG format
with Liberon – woodcare experts since 1912 – an exact shade by combining any of these. This and each 1-2MB in size; e) A description
we’re giving readers the opportunity to show off quick-drying, water-based option is suitable of your project – maximum 100 words
their woodworking skills, regardless of discipline for either soft- or hardwoods.
3. Entrants must be willing to have
– be it general woodworking, woodturning, carving
their project photos and details published
or cabinetmaking, for example. If you’ve recently Oils and used on Liberon’s social media channels,
completed a project build or restoration – or are Liberon’s Finishing Oil blends hard-wearing as well as in The Woodworker magazine and
in the process of doing so – Liberon invites readers oils with resins, as well as offering protection, accompanying website: www.
to send in photos of their finished piece(s) along not only against water, but also heat and alcohol. thewoodworkermag.com
with a brief description detailing the making Liberon’s Superior Danish Oil allows you to
process involved. achieve a wonderful satin gloss sheen while 4. The winner must be willing to feature in
It’s easy to enter, and the idea is to show also feeding, protecting and adding long life a photo of themselves with the prize – £200
off a woodworking project you’re particularly to both hard- or softwoods. It protects against Amazon voucher and a range of Liberon
proud of – this could apply to a new piece you’ve sunlight and is also resistant to water, alcohol,
woodcare products worth over £120
made, a restoration project, or similar. Equally, heat and food acid.
5. Entries must be received
it could be something small such as a bowl, or Liberon’s Pure Tung Oil is hard-wearing by midnight on 20 May 2022
a larger item like a dining room table. So whether and provides a long-lasting matt finish. It’s ideal
you’ve created a piece from scratch or restored for surfaces most often in contact with food. 6. Multiple entries are permitted –
an old or antique item back to its former glory, i.e. each person can submit up to
why not showcase your skills – the magazine three different pieces, but each
team and experts at Liberon would love to see must be emailed separately
what you’re capable of.
7. The winner will receive £200 worth
Showcase your skills of Amazon vouchers plus a bundle of Liberon
products worth over £120, both of which
To enter the competition, we ask you to send
will be supplied by Liberon directly. Please
in, via email, 1-3 photos of your chosen project note that no cash alternative is offered
as well as a brief description giving some details.
Together with the Liberon team, we’ll judge the 8. The competition is open to mainland
best entries and then present the winning project UK residents only
– along with a select few others – in an upcoming Wax
magazine feature as well as on our website. Liberon’s Wax Polish Black Bison has a good 9. Judging will take place between
This is your chance to show off your skills, have content of Carnauba wax and, being highly 18 March and end of April 2022, ahead
them judged by the experts at Liberon, as well lustrous, makes wood look simply beautiful. of a feature showcasing the winner plus
as winning a fantastic prize bundle, which includes It provides good resistance to finger and water
runners up in the magazine, on our website,
as well as on Liberon’s social media channels
an array of specialist woodcare products for marks, and is ideal for small surfaces. It feeds,
use on future woodworking projects. polishes and helps to prevent wood drying out 10. For further terms and conditions,
and has traditionally been used on antiques. see www.thewoodworkermag.com/
LIBERON’S WOODCARE RANGE For further information on Liberon and category/win
Ahead of the competition launch, shown the company’s extensive range of woodcare
opposite is some information regarding various products, visit www.liberon.co.uk.

30 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

HAMMER BANDSAWS –
THE ALL-ROUNDERS
FOR EVERY WORKSHOP
High quality yet affordable for everyone, the band saws from Hammer
convince with an excellent price-performance ratio and numerous details
for perfect woodworking.
Standard equipment such as bandsaw blade guides above and below
the table, bandsaw blade tension indicator, tiltable machine table and
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 THE FINE TOOL COMPANY
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C W TYZACK HOBBIES LTD. TOOLITE
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COOKSONGOLD RDG TOOLS YANDLES OF MARTOCK
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 PROJECT Pigeon hole box

BASIC BOX-MAKING SKILLS

PUT TO
THE TEST
Dave Roberts sets himself the
task of making a set of plain
pigeon holes, which will hold a
dozen shot glasses, as a test of
box-making’s most basic skills:
marking out, cutting, planing and
chiselling small components
ox-makers of the world, I salute

B you! If woodworking specialities

can be likened to the escape trades
in Colditz, and cabinetmaking is the
equivalent of turning rough uniforms into suits,
then box-making is the art of forging documents,
requiring accuracy and an eye for detail and
proportion. At its best, the box-maker’s ability
to concentrate constructional and decorative
skills into small components produces brilliantly
cut gems whose beautiful woods, inlays, fittings
and fine joints have all the intricacy of the layered
watermarking and coloured inks in a well-
travelled passport – beside which...
... my effort here looks like a crayon drawing.
I’d set myself the task, you see, of making a set
of plain pigeon holes, which will hold a dozen
shot glasses, as a test of some of box-making’s
most basic skills: marking out, cutting, planing
and chiselling small components. The piece uses
neither clever joints nor tricky angles because
the pigeon holes’ size and intended use – it
fits between the shelves in a glassware cabinet
– mean that neatly butted joints will be strong
enough to frame the outer box, whose four sides
are firmly glued around a 10mm-thick back.
The shelves and central divider, meanwhile,
are simply housed in the sides, and meet in
halving joints at their intersections. Altogether,
however, the piece involves five halving joints,

1 Simple tools: no fences, no stops,

just hand and eye

34 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

2 On work of this size, my old No.220’s as good 3 Yoda says: “A good rule is still only as accurate 4 With a steady hand, you could probably
as a try plane as the cut you make” remove your appendix with these two

a dozen housings, tens of straight edges and – an inglorious U-turn that meant a spot nebulous, something much more of a feeling
right-angles, and many acts of measuring, of awkward grain being shown on one of for the tool and material. Now, that may sound
marking, and fettling with chisel and plane, the front edges where again a small flaw, laughably Obi Wan Kenobi-ish but, believe it or
which add up to lots of practice. albeit natural, seems to be writ very large. not, it’s a feeling whose trustworthiness definitely
A router table would’ve made short increases with practice and observation of my
work of this project, of course, while INCRA Do Jedi make boxes? mistakes; its substance, I suppose, is what you’d
jig proficionados would’ve produced something Then again, mistakes are part and parcel of call ‘experience’ wherein lies accuracy of hand
with the precision of a Swiss watch. However, a hand-worked exercise like this, where the and eye. Anyway, it’s obvious from this outing
the point of my exercise was to try the steadiness aim is to repeatedly practise cutting, testing, that I’ve a very long way to go before becoming
of my hand and the beadiness of my Mk.1 eyeball adjusting and fitting – practice that you a box-making Jedi.
by using just a bench hook and a few hand tools: wouldn’t gain by using, say, a router table. After completing my labours at the bench
steel rule and try-square, sharp pencil and Setting up a machine accurately is a skill in hook, the pigeon holes were glued up and,
marking knife – which provides a more positive itself, of course, but once configured – which following some last-minute easing and adjusting,
guide to cutting edges than does the pencil – can be done at no risk to the project by using given a suitably simple finish of sanding sealer
and a dovetail saw; I also had a broad chisel to pieces of scrap – it allows you to repeat a cut – the inside faces had been sealed prior to
set the edges of the trenched housings, and a exactly over and over again almost without assembly, taking care to avoid the faces and
needle-like 3mm chisel to remove their waste. thought. When you’re working by hand, edges to be glued.
As ever, my ancient Stanley No.220 block plane however, concentration has to be brought As a final touch, I may shame the Devil
proved handy, being as good as a try plane to bear on every cut because each one is and fill the open ends of those housings with
when sizing and truing up work of this size! effectively a new enterprise – as I ably a dark wax to create contrasting points of detail,
The lemonwood I’d chosen for the job is, demonstrated by daydreaming myself into though no-one will ever see them, of course!
as I may’ve said before, a smooth, pale timber, dropping an almighty clanger, the tell-tale sign Was it worth it? Well, you can fit a fag paper
whose buttery texture makes it an attractive of which is there for you to spot in these photos. – or three – into some of the joints, but I think
and affordable alternative to boxwood, its fine The process leading to every one of there’s still enough right-angled neatness in
grain cutting cleanly and planing well, even on these cuts begins in the broad base of good that creamy lemonwood to save the day,
the end-grain. In fact, it planes so easily that practice – establishing datum edges and and the benefits of the practice will be
in trimming the shelves of the pigeon holes making right-angles square, trusting their carried over to my next task. Oh,
to width, I was a little overzealous and ended accuracy but still measuring twice, then and I now have somewhere to
up with a couple that were a gnat’s too narrow. cutting using sharp tools – but it narrows down put my shot glasses, too.
It would’ve been quicker and easier to simply to something altogether less methodical and
cut a fresh part, of course, but in keeping with much, well, ‘fuzzier’.
the spirit of the exercise, I accepted my mistake It may just be me, but it seems that
and replaced the lost material with slivers there’s a grey area in which the finer
of beech veneer glued across the ends and points of accuracy depend upon how
trimmed to fit in their housings. consistently you hold the marking knife
When making the housings themselves, and try-square; upon what sense you have
meanwhile, I’d decided for no good reason of the offset required for your saw’s kerf
that I can recall to stop them where they met when lining up the blade for a cut; even upon
the back piece, but cut them through to the how much give there’ll be in the ends of sawn
front edges of the box’s four sides – something fibres of a particular timber and the ‘fudge
I wouldn’t do in a larger joint, because I think factor’ that this might afford in the fit of the
stopped housings give a neater finish. In this mating parts.
case – where the lemonwood sides are just It seems to me that these, and a dozen minute
4mm thick, and even a tiny gap in a joint looks variables like them, can make the difference
as wide as a church door – it became clear that between a neat interference and a loose fit.
the consequence of putting my chisel work on There are so many variables, in fact,
show was that the small inconsistencies arising that I reckon the angle and pressure I apply
through having judged the depth of the housings to a chisel’s cutting edge when shaving the
by eye would add up to untidiness. Accordingly, final whisker of end-grain off an edge goes
I swapped the sides over so as to put the beyond what my hand or eye can honestly
stopped ends of the housing to the claim to consciously measure; instead, the 5 It’s when you start putting things
fore, and hide their open ends at the back determining force seems altogether more together that the cracks start to show

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 35

 FEATURE Archive

The place for everything?

Tempted by The Woodworker of January 1904,
Robin Gates ponders the practicality of a tool chest
oes anything quicken a

D woodworker’s pulse so predictably

as a joiner’s traditional tool chest
laid bare? When I find myself
left unsupervised for a moment in another’s
workshop and spy such a box of delights standing
with lid proudly lifted, the temptation to explore
the contents by eye is simply overwhelming.
The question of the tool chest – to have,
or have not – dominates my thinking at this
time of year as much as thorny May blossom
dominates the field and vale, and likewise I’m
invariably pricked by uncertainty the moment
I grasp it. This year I thought I’d escaped the
issue, despite work having ground to a Friday
standstill amid a bench-top muddle of saws,
planes, chisels, and my umpteenth pencil
having gone missing. 10 minutes – realistically,
the weekend – spent hanging, propping or
shoving tools in their make-do homes and
work could resume on Monday morning.
But then I turned up this ‘handy tool chest’
in The Woodworker of 118 years ago, 15 January
1904 to be precise, and the temptation of its
so-satisfyingly organised interior resurfaced
like an open box of chocolates. And in all
seriousness, wouldn’t my experience of
woodwork be improved if all those improvised
shelves, racks, hangers, slots, bins and boxes
I’ve lodged haphazardly around the garden shed
were to be replaced by this single wooden-walled
leviathan of good sense? In its smoothly sliding
trays, smart saw tills and neatly dovetailed
drawers, there’d be a place for every tool and
every tool in its place. Is this not the answer?
Yes! Or rather, I’m not so sure.

A question of space
For one thing, there’s the shed’s ever-decreasing
floor area. The product of feet measured this
way by fewer feet measured that way is too few
square feet to mention by the time a workbench,
two bikes, step ladder, garden spade, fork, rake,
etc., buckets, tins of paint ancient and modern,
my essential ‘thinking chair’, and an ever-changing Bending to retrieve a hand drill from the a portable repository of every necessary
muddle of oddly-shaped reclaimed wood have shadowy depths of a tool chest makes itself tool of their livelihood, conveyed by horse
been taken into account. As things stand, lean, felt in the lumbar region in a way that taking and cart from one place of employment to
and not infrequently fall over, there’s barely the drill down from a hook does not, just as the next, there to guard against theft as much
space to swing a brace and bit, never mind turning on the kitchen tap is so much easier as accidental damage. Not to mention impress
accommodate what amounts almost to a shed than hauling water from the village well. And the new master with the quality and sharpness
within a shed. Clearing space for the dinosaur yet, I can’t seem to shake off this nostalgic of his blades, ably demonstrated by a fine spread
footprint and dead weight of a tool chest is longing for a tool chest, or indeed the village of frame-and-panel joinery or dazzling marquetry
likely to create more problems than it solves. well now that I take note of our last water bill. concealed beneath the plain black exterior.
Then there’s my back; we’ve all got one of But in 2022, when this amateur’s hobby
those I realise, but you know what I mean. 20 Four-square chest rarely takes him further than the home, digging
years on from all that reckless weight-lifting you In the age of the village well, there’d be no for tools inside a floor-bound chest seems more
do when you think your spine’s indestructible, question around having a tool chest. For the like archaeology than woodwork. Now, where’s
even putting your socks on can be painful. journeyman joiner, the four-square chest was that pencil...

36 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 FEATURE English Woodlands Timber Ltd

HOMEGROWN &
FIT FOR AN AWARD
Jeremy Broun interviews English Woodlands
Timber Ltd, a company passionate about trees

Post World War II timber milling A typical hardwood boule

imber selection is all-important the oldest sustainable resource on the planet. Furniture Award 2022, as Marketing Manager

T when it comes to creating individual

items of furniture, whether it be for
strength, durability or figure. None
so important and relevant today, however,
as the sourcing of timber, with trees being
As such, it’s feasible to say that, historically,
in the entire process from log to table leg, up
to 40% of the tree was wasted. Today, however,
timber is increasingly regarded as a precious
material and furniture makers, such as myself,
Sarah Jane Farmer explains: “Our job is to source
and supply wood worthy of crafting. We have
enormous respect for those that dedicate
themselves to the art of woodworking in the
way Alan Peters did, and we understand and
have always believed the items we create should appreciate the importance of his legacy.”
Photographs © English Woodlands Timber

last at least as long as the tree took to grow. But what does this really mean and entail?
With this in mind, it therefore seems According to Sarah, it involves everything from
fitting that the Alan Peters Furniture Award using renewable energy for power and fuel
has embraced the support of a homegrown to run the company’s buildings and machines,
English timber company – English Woodlands learning and adopting lean thinking and
Timber Ltd – itself an award winner, as a 2022 continuous improvement into everyday work,
prize sponsor. as well as growing the expertise of their dedicated
team. “It’s about making it easier for customers
Focus on sustainability to buy beautiful wood in person and online
English Woodlands Timber Ltd – integrating but ultimately, above all else, the core of
Hillgrove Timber company – has been recognised our mission is a focus on the sustainable,
by the TTJ Awards as ‘Best Small Timber responsible, sourcing of wood.”
Measuring up a 70mm kiln-dried waney-edge Business’ for three years in a row. Building on
cedar of Lebanon board history, tradition and legacy, EWT has evolved Forestry consciousness
alongside makers and woodworkers into a “Fundamentally, our understanding of
GROWN IN BRITAIN modern business with a focus on sustainability, wood has evolved out of an understanding of
so that it’ll hopefully be around in another 75 trees – we believe that this is where it all begins.”
years, continuing to serve makers with beautiful Sustainable timber is a by-product of woodland
timbers. Some of those makers are widely and forest management practices, which involves
recognised and admired in the field of fine trees, soil, water courses, wildlife and the inherent
furniture making and design, including Simon biodiversity of the environment being nurtured
Thomas Pirie, James Ryan and Sebastian Cox. and cared for.
As a way of supporting British forestry English Woodlands Timber has welcomed It’s important to note that without woodland
and encouraging more woodland into the opportunity to sponsor the Alan Peters management, there’d be no wood – or at least
management, Grown In Britain created a
certification standard for homegrown timber THE ALAN PETERS FURNITURE AWARD 2022
to give assurance for all wood sourced from This annual award celebrates the legacy of one of Britain’s most prominent furniture
forests felled under license from the Forestry designer-makers of the late 20th century, aiming to encourage talent in the craft of furniture
Commission, or as part of a management plan design and making. English Woodlands Timber is the second prize sponsor of the 2022
agreed in accordance with the UK Woodland award. For further information, see pages 28-29 or visit organiser Jeremy Broun’s
Assurance Standard (UKWAS) website: www.woodomain.com

38 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 Alan Peters and wife Laura in 2005 with some
homegrown Devon walnut for a table design

Measuring the girth of a locally sourced tree

Programming the wide belt sander A wide belt sander and thicknesser dresses Display boards of waney-edge walnut and
the timber, revealing the beauty within rippled ash reveal stunning grain figuring

there shouldn’t be. This is a mindset that’s the Hillgrove Timber Company flag. state-of-the-art equipment, such as a wide
been instilled in EWT since the 1940s, when “The Reserve looks for timber that falls belt sander and thicknesser, part of the service
it was established: “In post World War II Britain, outside of the range of grade standards, also involves machining and sanding timbers.
the origins of our business are in forestry and which normally applies to hardwoods “English Woodlands Timber is second prize
sawmilling. As such, forestry consciousness for furniture, cabinetmaking or joinery sponsor of the Alan Peters Furniture Award
is therefore built into our timber business. purposes. These special boards have qualities 2022, and once the winner is announced,
Our mission is to source wood close to home; that make them even more unique, which are we’ll be excited to share what we do. As such,
wood that’s been responsibly sourced, which treasured, celebrated and kept aside to ensure he/she will be invited to visit our woodyard
has travelled fewer miles, been through fewer they’ll be saved from general production. These and woodsheds in Cocking, West Sussex, to
processes, and therefore had less of a negative are the sorts of boards that inspire and excite select something rare, valuable, special and
impact on the environment. Sarah continues: furniture makers, and used in the making of extraordinary for their prize, which can be
“Native British woodlands are the source of heirloom pieces and award-winning works. used in a future project," Sarah comments. The
some of our most extraordinary timber. One “Our homegrown logs are sawn through range of timbers on display is substantial and
of the greatest joys is finding these trees due & through during the autumn, winter and includes ash, beech, cedar of Lebanon, cherry,
to be felled as part of a management plan, or spring months. They’re then put into stick Douglas fir, elm, larch, maple, oak, London plane,
those already thinned and left at roadside in before being stacked and stored in the open, sweet chestnut and sycamore. “Of course, we’ll
log form, ready to undergo sawmilling and in intact boule form for air-drying at a rate of be interested to see how the selected boards
drying, so that in time, they can be used by a year per inch of thickness while the individual are used,” Sarah finishes, which is a sentiment
creative designers and dedicated craftspeople, boards slowly release moisture. The seasoning shared by myself and the other judges.
and transformed into special pieces of furniture.” process reduces moisture content sufficiently
– between 10-13% MC – which allows the ENGLISH WOODLANDS TIMBER LTD
Hillgrove Timber Company boules to be kiln-dried, making them fit for Address: Cocking Sawmills,
As Sarah further explains, “it’s often this source interior joinery use as well as furniture making.” Cocking, West Sussex
of wood that finds its way to The Reserve – our The company also offers a bespoke sourcing GU29 0HS
stock of extraordinary waney-edge boards that and sawmilling service to makers wanting to Tel: 01730 816 941
are specially selected from the boule production season their own stock boules, or those with Web: www.englishwoodlandstimber.co.uk
of homegrown logs – which are sawn under a requirement in atypical dimensions. Using

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 39

 POSTBAG In your own write...

LETTERS RYBURN MEN IN SHEDS

Dear Tegan,

LETTER OF THE MONTH I was given a subscription to your magazine as a birthday present from
my daughter and look forward to it falling on the doormat each month.
I read with interest Martyn Webber’s letter, which was featured in the
HOVE & SOME March 2022 issue. If I may, I’d like to point all woodworkers and others
with skills or not to the Men In Sheds group. I joined my group Ryburn
WOODWORK TOO Men In Sheds – www.facebook.com/ryburnmeninsheds – and was
nicely surprised to find a mixed group of people, both men and women,
Dear Tegan, of all ages (18-80) and abilities. Some just go to pass on what they know;
I was interested to read your Welcome piece in the March 2022 some go to learn new skills. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there just
edition of The Woodworker. In the early years of the new millennium, waiting to be tapped into. Dependent on the group you join, the equipment
my wife and I enjoyed some excellent short breaks at the Dudley Hotel they have will also vary – for example, ours now has three lathes as these
in Lansdowne Place. It was eventually sold and became The Lansdowne are so popular. Someone donated a second-hand machine and we also
Hotel, a boutique establishment with prices to match. The next time bought a brand-new one using grant money. There’s nothing better than
we were staying in Brighton and went along to Hove, we found the a bit of company while you’re doing any job. If you don’t know how to do
Dudley boarded up and looking very sad. I understand now that the things, then working out how can be a joint effort.
building has been refurbished to a high standard and renamed Dudley As an engineering patternmaker by trade, I get involved in passing
Mansions. Brunswick Terrace is just around the corner, as you well on skills, which is surely what your magazine is all about. In fact I’ve yet
know. The architectural features in your apartment are magnificent to make something for myself at the shed as I have my own equipment
and you’ll be sorry to leave them behind. at home; it’s the company I find so beneficial, as well as helping others.
Regards, Steve Pilling
Small garden table
I also want to tell you
about my lockdown
project. When we
moved into our current
house in 1987, our
next door neighbour
had a very rickety Peter’s lockdown
shed. I called it the project: a lovely
listed building. It wasn’t garden table
too long afterwards that
the shed finally gave up and
our neighbour moved his tools and
some wood into the garage. Much later,
perhaps 2010, he cleared it out and gave
me some wood that he’d bought at auction all those years ago
and never used, so I put it in my shed and there it stayed until 2019. A recent workshop weekend
Our small garden table needed replacing and I worked out that I could at Ryburn Men In Sheds group
use the wood given to me by the neighbour. There was just enough to
make a coffee table-sized piece for the garden. I used my thicknesser Dear Steve, thank you for your email.
to remove the sawmill marks, leaving as much wood as possible. I’m really pleased to hear that you like
Most pieces finished at 22mm-thick while the wood for the slats was the magazine and get so much enjoyment
12mm-thick. I then used my bandsaw to cut pieces to the correct width from it. Thank you for letting us know about
and a table-mounted router to machine the edges as at the time, I didn’t the group – it sounds like a wonderful idea
own a decent plane. The outer frame of the top is dowelled and the slats and also brilliant that it attracts males and
biscuit jointed. The side and end rails are also biscuit jointed to the top. females of all ages and abilities. As you say,
In order to make the legs 60 × 60mm, I laminated three pieces of wood it’s great to be able to support one another
together. The legs were then fixed to the rails using pocket-hole screws. and share your skills. I found a Facebook
Four coats of exterior varnish completed the job. I’m sure my neighbour page for the group as well as some
would be pleased to know that the wood he bought, probably 50 years information online. Many thanks again and
ago, has finally been put to good use. hopefully your letter will encourage others
Best regards, Peter Hall to get involved with similar groups up and
down the country. Best wishes, Tegan Woodturning is a popular activity
Hi Peter, thanks so much for your email. Gosh, it is a small world! Yes,
I know Dudley Mansions well and in fact, our flat is only a short distance
from there! Yes, the architectural features are beautiful and I certainly WRITE & WIN!
will miss them. We always love hearing about youyour projects, ideas, hints and tips, and/or
Thank you so much for sharing your lockdown project with us as like to receive feedbac
feedback about the magazine’s features, so
well. It really is a lovely table and who’d have guessed that the wood was do drop us a line – yyou never know, you might win our great
that old – it’s beautifully finished. I love the design and it looks extremely ‘Letter of the Mont
Month’ prize, currently the new Trend 14⁄ in
well-constructed and solid. I’m sure you’re looking forward to putting it 30-piece Router
Rou Cutter Set, worth over £100.
to good use this summer – I suppose you could always think about Simply
Simp email [email protected]
making matching chairs if you find yourself with some spare time… ! for
f a chance to get your hands on this
Many thanks again for taking the time to write in; it’s much appreciated. fantastic prize – good luck!
Best wishes, Tegan

40 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 READERS’ HINTS & TIPS
Due to major stock issues with the Veritas range, a decision has been made,
in conjunction with Axminster Tools, to substitute the original prize for a similar
one within Axminster’s Rider range. Rider planes represent traditional, quality
plane manufacture and feature a ductile iron alloy body, accurately ground sole
and carbon steel blade. The new prize – the Rider No.5¹⁄₂in Jack Plane – is not
only versatile, but also perfect for flattening, jointing
ting and general prepa
preparation.
To be in with a chance of winning this great piece ece of kit, just send
your top workshop hints, tips or pointers – indeed eed anything
that other readers may find useful in their woodworking
dworking
journeys – to [email protected], m,
along with a photo(s) illustrating your tip in
action. For more information on Axminster
Tools, see www.axminstertools.com

OVERCOMING PROBLEMS
WITH CROSS-CUTTING
Hi Tegan,
Using my table saw for accurate cross-cutting, I find that I’m having a
problem with very thin offcuts. These will slip down in the gap between
When edging a board, Mike Riley holds the front of the plane body with his saw blade and throat plate, jam up, and block the dust extraction port
left hand, curling his fingers under the sole of the plane to act as a fence beneath the blade.
To overcome this, I’ve removed the throat plate and stuck a strip of
MAKING THINGS FOR YOURSELF duct tape down through its length on the underside. With a straightedge
and Stanley knife, I then split the duct tape for the length of the blade
Dear Tegan, and riving knife. This keeps all offcuts above the saw table and still
I very much enjoyed Mike Riley’s article on preparing wood by hand allows the blade to be canted for bevelled cuts. A cheap and efficient
methods, which was featured in the February 2022 issue. I too enjoy this answer to the problem.
stage of a project. It’s a remnant, if not a lifetime gift, from the teaching Andrew Goodfield
I received in the 1950s at the Cheltenham Grammar School. From age
11+ we had three hours per week for three years in the woodwork shops
of the school under one ‘Woody’ Wayne. He first taught us technical drawing
in first and third angle projection, then the fundamental ways of using
a jack plane, hand saw, square and straightedge to go through exactly
the steps related by Mike, including the thumb grip for edge planing.
When I returned to serious woodworking on retirement from a 45-
year engineering career some 20+ years ago, it all came back to me and
it became a great pleasure to prepare timber from local trees, plane-sawn Saw blade with gap between it and Duct tape applied to underside
in a local mill and air-dried for several seasons. It’s still the most satisfying the edge of the throat plate where of throat plate, along its length
stage of any project, though I do make use of a bandsaw for resawing and the offcuts easily drop down
a machine thicknesser to speed up the last stage of preparation. The latter
won’t remove wind and cupping in a board, so one still has to use planes Saw blade and riving knife
to get that vital first reference face by hand. protruding through duct tape
What a pity it is that today’s school pupils rarely experience this as a nice ‘snug’ fit. The thin
craft as a basis for many other hand skills that are so very useful offcuts now stay on the bed
in home-making and personal fulfilment later in their lives. of the saw rather than dropping
Many thanks to Mike for this trip down memory lane. Though below and causing a jam
I’m no longer able to do much woodwork, I still buy the magazines in the extraction ducting
and enjoy thinking about the processes and tips from experts, so I thank
The Woodworker and other woodworking magazines for their interesting
support of what I consider to be a vital life skill – making things for
yourself. With many thanks and best wishes for future issues. NEW FLEXIBLE CURVE ROUTING
Sincerely yours, Dave Williams GUIDE TEMPLATE ACCESSORY
An 8mm thick mini flexible curve used to make templates,
Hi Dave, thank you for getting in touch and sharing your experience of enabling a shape to be cut repeatedly with precision.
the topics covered by Mike in his recent article. It’s always good to hear p Used in conjunction with a self-guided
cutter, a router or router table.
from readers in terms of their stories on the same or similar subject we’ve p Alternatively a standard cutter can be
covered in the magazine. I’m glad the article helped to bring back some used when guided with a guide bush.
fond memories of your time in woodwork classes all those years ago, and p Includes fixing screws.

how wonderful that you can still call upon the knowledge learned back then. Product Ref. Length Price
I agree that things have certainly changed in terms of the curriculum and CURV/8X500 500mm £32.40 INC
VAT

it seems that hand skills have likely been replaced with either machines or CURV/8X1000 1000mm £62.40 INC
VAT

computers. It’s therefore very important that we keep featuring these articles
in the hope that youngsters will have a go at and employ these tried and
www.trend-uk.com
tested methods, ensuring they don’t die out. [email protected]
Many thanks again for your kind comments regarding the magazine 01923 249911
and for taking the time to email in.
Best wishes, Tegan

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 41

WOODWORKER’S
ENCYCLOPAEDIAPART 39
This next instalment sees Peter Bishop well into the Ts as he tackles
a couple of lengthy subjects including timber-framed and tipped saws
Timber-framed That’s the cynic’s view anyway, but if and block. During the middle of the 20th
There’s a number of different ways in which they’ve been restored then that’s another century onwards, however, things changed
we might interpret ‘timber-framed’ buildings matter. In the UK today, there’s a number and we started looking at ways to build
nowadays. The common denominator is, of of modern day, oak timber-framed building houses quickly and efficiently. In North
course, that wood is used in their construction. manufacturers who replicate these older-style America and Scandinavia, modern versions
Old ‘black and white’ buildings will have timber buildings with solid oak frames and other of timber framing had been in production
frames with infill panels of brick, laths and plaster, efficient materials. Lighter, brighter and for a while. We took their ideas and started
wattle and daub or something similar. We’re all warmer, there’s some lovely examples around. to replicate these prefabricated buildings.
familiar with these and they do look lovely – on The alternative timber-framed buildings But back then, when they first appeared, a
postcards! Most often they’re draughty, have are those made in a factory, which are then lot of mistakes were made. The key is to build
low ceilings, small windows and are probably assembled on site. In the UK, we were always a framework with a waterproof membrane
damp and cold – but they do have ‘character’. keen to build in the traditional way with brick around which, once erected, a brick skin is

Timber-framed garden room from WL West Traditional oak barn construction Cruck constructed granary barn

42 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 A-Z of timber terms & jargon TECHNICAL

Toe, tosh or skew nailing

We might do one of these when fixing studding
together. Imagine you have a head and soleplate
in place and want to fix a stud to them. Having
knocked it into place, you can then fix it with a
toe, tosh or skew nail from each side – job done!

Top rail
This refers to the uppermost rail in, for example,
a door frame.

Axcaliber premium TCT saw

blade – 315 × 3.2 × 30mm 96T

are much harder than mild steel. The second

is Tungsten Carbide and, as a saw tip, we call
this TCT. The final type of material used, for
Great Coxwell Barn, Oxfordshire, 1292 very abrasive stuff, is some form of industrial
diamond compound. The latter two are hard
then built. Problems arose when the enough to cut light weight metals such as
membranes were ruptured and the skins bridged aluminium, but aren’t recommended in a general
the insulation gaps. As a result, some houses workshop! This is just an outline of what tipped
deteriorated and fell into disrepair fairly rapidly. saws are about; reams could be written on their
Things have moved on since then, however, and design, suitability for use, how they’re shaped
factory-built timber-frame housing units are now and fitted, etc. For longevity we might consider
constructed under better controls and the on-site a TCT blade for cross cut and rip saws while the Pit sawing
work has improved. These modern timber-framed narrow bandsaws can be traditional spring set
houses are ultra-efficient and, probably, the best ones – by the time they break, they’ll be blunt!
and most flexible way to build. We now find
buildings designed that combine all the positive Toat
features of both types of timber framing. Coupled An old-fashioned or regional name used to
with the more stringent building regulations, all describe a plane handle.
these new houses should be warm and cosy, easy
to maintain as well as cheap to run. We’ve come To cut & to joint
a long way from using those old ship’s timbers We use this short phrase when making up a
found in the original timber-framed buildings. list for a supplier. When we specify our desire
‘to cut’ something, what we mean is that from
the wood supplied we need to be able to cut
the list of sizes from it. For example, we might
be looking for lots of short and small sections,
which could easily be cut from one or two larger
pieces. As long as we can cut our bits and pieces
from these, then the supplier can simply sell us
the large planks on the ‘to cut’ basis. Another
example could be when we’re, say, fitting new
skirting board to a room. We know the pattern
we want and it’s available in random lengths,
now all we have to do is tell the supplier the
lengths required to do the job and that it could
Tungsten carbide-tipped saw blades be ‘to cut’. They then make sure we have enough
with a little to spare. Similarly, ‘to joint’ means we
Tipped saws might be looking for lengths that are longer than
Traditionally, hand and powered saws have those available from stock. In this case, we’ll tell
teeth that are cut or ground out into shape, the supplier we need specific lengths and that
then ‘spring’ set to alternate sides with a swager. they should supply us with enough ‘to joint’ them.
The amount of set on each tooth should be the
same both sides, which determines the ‘kerf’
of the saw cut – the amount of clearance the Peter Follansbee demonstrating pit sawing
blade has in the cut. With powered circular and
bandsaws, the task of setting can be tedious Top sawyer
and, depending on how abrasive the material This is the ‘top’ job when it comes to pit sawing
being cut is, not long lasting. The alternative is – it’s definitely preferable to being at the bottom!
to weld on a harder tip. These tips will overhang
each side of the blade and be dressed back to Torn grain
shape and sharpness with a series of grinding When the surface fibres have been torn away
machines. Two common materials are used and or are lifted out of the finished surface. This
one not so common. The first is High Speed Steel usually occurs when it comes to planing stuff
– HSS – which is a mix of steel compounds that Skew nailing with interlocking grain.

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 43

 TECHNICAL A-Z of timber terms & jargon

Traversing
This is using a hand plane across the surface
you’re working on at an angle of around 45°.
You might do this to remove goodly amounts
of waste, or simply to discover where the
peaks and troughs are.

4.2m torus architrave Treenails used in timber framing of a former

cooperage and monastery cellar from 1478
Torus mouldings at Blaubeuren Abbey
A popular moulding applied to the edges Solid oak stair tread – un-grooved – 22 × 270
of skirting boards and architraves. × 1,000mm Trellis
We probably all know what ‘trellis’ is and
Toughness there’s a lot of it about. I used to make my
Toughness is the property in wood that allows own but as much of it is easily and cheaply
it to bend considerably without breaking; available, it hardly seems worth the effort.
elasticity is its ability to spring back.

1m solid oak square-edge stair tread

Tread
We covered ‘risers’ earlier on; they’re the
front vertical part of a staircase. The tread
Tracheids in the structure of conifer wood is the horizontal top section, which could
be called the ‘going’. We tend, as lay people,
Tracheids & vessels to call the whole thing a tread, but should
These are the two main cell elements within probably refer to it a ‘step’.
softwoods; they serve as the conduits of water
and minerals that feed and allow the tree to grow. Treen
There’s some subtle differences between the two In those popular antique shows on TV we
but both cells are made up of thick, lignified wall hear a lot about ‘treen’. It’s a catchall phrase
material. The tracheid is the larger and contributes for anything made from wood that isn’t large
to the majority of the tree’s structural support. like tables and chairs and, possibly, no one
has the faintest idea what it’s used for!

Arched trellis panel – 0.9m wide × 1.8m high

Trench & trenching

Oak treenails, which are used to pin a wooden Technically a ‘trench’ runs across the grain,
structure together. The one in front has been not with it. Those that run with the grain will
used and pulled out, showing the way forces be a rebate or groove. They can be simple or
A transom is a transverse horizontal structural have permanently deformed the wood have sloping sides, like dovetails, to keep the
beam or bar, or crosspiece, which separates piece being fitted in secure. The act of cutting
a door from the window above it Treenails a trench is known as ‘trenching’.
Simply put, these are wooden nails, which
Transom were commonly used to join up oak beams in NEXT MONTH
The transom is a horizontal, intermediate old timber-framed houses. They were made The end’s in sight, but we’ve still got a
strengthening piece in a frame anywhere between from straight-grained oak, which was ‘cleft’ way to go. In part 40, Peter finishes off
the head at the top and cill at the bottom. You’ll – split rather than sawn – to produce a peg. the Ts, breaks into and finishes the Us,
usually see a transom running across the top Another use for treenails was fitting wooden before starting with a V
of a door with, possibly, a glazed window above. ‘clinker’ boards to the sides of boats.

44 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

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 PROJECT Bird table

JAN’S
BIRD BUFFET
Having previously
made a few different
bird table designs, albeit
a little ‘rough and ready’,
Geoff Ryan’s next attempt
would prove to require
a little more thought,
precision and execution
uilding a bird table is, I’m sure,

B well within the capabilities of

most woodworkers. The RSPB
gives some idea of what’s required
on their website – www.rspb.org.uk – and an
online search provides plenty of ideas. I’ve built
several over the years, which have mostly been
fairly ‘rough and ready’ affairs, knocked together
in a couple of hours from whatever materials I
had available. When my daughter asked if I could
make one as a birthday present for her mother-in-
law, to replace one that had fallen apart, I decided
that a little more effort was probably required.
In this article. I’m working entirely in inches but
if you prefer to use millimetres or centimetres,
the measurements given can be easily converted.
Please also note that these dimensions are only
intended as a guide, and your version can be
scaled up or down to suit your needs.

1 Trench-cutting the cross-lap joint on the 4×2in

base pieces for making the structure waterproof. The only In order to achieve a 90° overlap, a cross-lap
item I had to buy was a length of 2×2in treated joint is required and I cut both halves together
Birdhouse materials softwood, which was required for the main post. using the trench cutting facility on my sliding
Having searched through my timber pile, While I used a solvent-based preservative for mitre saw. Having marked the cut out on both
I discovered some offcuts of 4×2in treated the base and stand, this material isn’t appropriate pieces, I proceeded to machine the waste
timber, which would be ideal for the base. I also for the table itself as it could harm the birds, away bit by bit until an offcut fit snuggly.
had a piece of 34⁄ in (20mm) marine ply left over so I opted for a water-based outdoor varnish. The problem with making a trench cut on
from another project, which would do nicely for my Bosch sliding mitre saw is that it doesn’t
the table and frame, plus some odd offcuts of Trench cutting the pieces slide far enough back when cutting thicker
3
⁄ in (10mm) ply and 2×2in scant. Lastly, a piece
8 To begin the project, I trimmed the 4×2in pieces material, and as a result, the rear piece had
of unused rubber roofing from my playhouse to 27in (686mm) – the length of the shortest a curve in the bottom of the cut (photo 2).
build (WW Oct 2021 issue) would be perfect one – then clamped them together (photo 1). In hindsight, I could’ve put a packing piece

46 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 47
 PROJECT Bird table

2 The problem with making a trench cut on my 3 A simple solution was to turn the piece around 4 Both ends of each base component were
Bosch sliding saw is that it doesn’t slide far enough and trim it flat trimmed to make them more streamlined
back when cutting thicker timber. As a result, the
rear piece had a curve in the bottom of the cut

against the fence, but this way, the ends would the left-hand side, showing evidence of where I’d finished that I remembered I had some
barely be resting on the side extension supports. I slipped when trench cutting. This would be drill guides, which would certainly have
A simple solution was to turn it round and trim on the bottom, and therefore hidden from view. come in handy here!
it flat (photo 3). Alternatively, a few moments When buying stock from a timber merchant, The post is supported by four lengths
with a sharp chisel would also tidy it up. With you should never rely on the ends being square of 2×2in, which are screwed to both the
the saw set at 30° and a square piece of 34⁄ in and getting rid of any splits is advisable. With this base and post (photo 10). These were all
(20mm) plywood clamped to the table, both in mind, I cut both ends of the post square using 7in (180mm) on the longest face and mitred
ends of each base component were trimmed the mitre saw (photo 8) to give a final length of at 45°. The post is also fixed to the base by
to make them a little more streamlined (photo 51in (1,295mm), which meant that the finished means of a single vertical screw in the centre.
4). Some rounding over on the router table table height would be roughly 56in (1,422mm) To ensure the supports were all in correct
further improved the appearance (photo 5). once the base and top were later added. alignment on the post, I fixed each in place
Screws would be driven into end-grain using a right-angle jig to keep them level
Drilling, screwing & countersinking on both ends of the post, so pilot holes were with the bottom of the post (photo 11).
To join the two halves together, I drilled holes therefore required to prevent splitting (photo 9). I butted the post up to the jig and clamped
through the bottom section then countersunk To increase the likelihood of getting it straight, I it in place. Next, I carefully screwed the
them (photo 6). In order to hold the post on held the post vertically in a vice and used a spirit support in place, ensuring it wasn’t able
the base, I drilled a single hole and countersunk level as a straightedge guide, which allowed me to move. I marked each of the supports
as before (photo 7). Note the gouge mark on to line up the drill bit. It was only when to ensure all would be fixed back correctly.

5 Some rounding over on the router table improved 6 In order to join the two halves together,
the look even further I drilled holes through the bottom section then
countersunk them

7 In order to hold the post on the base, I drilled 8 As the ends of the 2×2in post weren’t square 9 Screws would be driven into end-grain on both
a single hole and countersunk this as before and needed trimming, I did this using a mitre saw ends of the post, so pilot holes were required
to prevent splitting

48 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

10 The post is supported by four lengths of 2×2in, 11 To ensure the supports were all correctly 12 The next step to tackle was making the top
screwed to both base and post aligned on the post, I fixed each in place using a of the bird table
right-angle jig to keep them level with the bottom

Once I’d completed the base and post,

I treated these to three generous coats of
solvent-based brown wood preserver. To
do this, I stood the base on some polythene
and allowed the excess liquid to soak the
bottom of the structure.

Top, table & sides

I could then turn my attention to the top
of the bird table (photo 12). For the table and
sides, I used 34⁄ in (20mm) marine ply – the table
is 14in (356mm) square and the side pieces are
14in (356mm) wide × 12in (305mm) high, with 13 I rounded over the outer left, right, bottom
a 120° roof angle. Using a wide straightedge, and inside edges on each of the side pieces
I marked the centre, which I’d go on to cut out
of the side pieces. If you prefer, you could do over using my 40-year-old Surform (photo
this using a jigsaw or fretsaw, but I used my 15). Replacing the old blade with a stainless
small CNC machine, which gives a good clean steel microplane version – currently priced
edge and requires little tidying up afterwards. at £18 from Axminster Tools – gave this
Next, I rounded over the outer left, right, tool a new lease of life. It provides a clean
bottom and inside edges on each of the side cut, which requires little sanding.
pieces (photo 13). I then moved on to the table My initial plan was to mount the table top
base, rounding over the front and back edges on four supports, just like those on the base, 14 Once completed, I glued and pocket-hole
on both sides. Once completed, I glued and but when I was putting the offcuts from the screwed the sides to the base
pocket-hole screwed the sides to the base sides onto the timber pile, I realised they’d
of the project (photo 14). As the pocket-hole actually provide a more elegant option (photo
drill didn’t penetrate right through the edge of 16). I used the table saw to cut away the excess
the base, I drilled through using an 18⁄ in (3mm) and proceeded to drill more pocket-holes.
bit and sanded the edge, to ensure the sides I screwed the supports to the table using
would sit flush onto the base. I clamped these pocket-hole screws as before, and also fixed
up and left overnight to ensure a good bond these to the post with two screws on either
was achieved. As the bottom corners of the side (photo 17), offsetting slightly to ensure
sides were still square, I rounded these the screws wouldn’t foul each other in the

15 As the bottom corners of the sides were still square, I rounded these over using my 40-year-old Surform 16 Remaining offcuts from the sides were actually
more suitable as supports for the table top

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 49

 PROJECT Bird table

18 To fix the roof panels to the sides, I glued and

screwed some beech strips onto the inside edges

17 I screwed the supports to the table using 20 Using a block plane, I flattened off the sharp
pocket-hole screws once more, fixing these point on the bottom edge
to the post with two screws on either side
goes on very easily but proves messy
middle of the post. when it comes to clean-up. Wearing gloves
When it came to fixing the roof panels onto for this step is advisable as well as using
the sides, I glued and screwed some beech strips an old foam brush, both of which are likely
– from the timber offcuts pile as before – onto to end up in the bin once you’ve finished!
the inside edges (photo 18), then pre-drilled The next step was to stretch the rubber
holes for the roof panels. 19 Obtaining the necessary 120° top angle for the over the ends, which would help to eliminate
ridge beam required two passes on the table saw any wrinkles, before clamping it in place and
Roof panels & covering leaving overnight (photo 24). I fixed the rubber
A ridge beam was required to support the roof a 2×2in piece of scant with the saw set at in place with staples followed by more beech
(photo 19), and in order to obtain the necessary 30°, which removed the top of the ‘T’ section strips (photo 25), then trimmed it to size with
120° top angle, I found I had to take two shown in photo 19. Next, I reset it to 90° and a sharp knife. The exposed inside faces of the
passes on the table saw. I started by cutting proceeded to make the second cut, which left roof were then treated to three coats of outdoor
me with a diamond-shaped piece. The bottom varnish. Meanwhile, I sanded the remaining
edge of the diamond was a sharp point (photo table components and supports before applying
20), so I flattened it off using a block plane – three coats of outdoor varnish as before,
I couldn’t have the birds banging their heads! lightly sanding between each (photo 26).
For the two roof panels – each 17.5in
(444mm) × 9.5in (241mm) – I cut the top edges Personal touches &
at 30° and glued and screwed these to the ridge design modifications
piece after carefully marking its position (photo In order to impart a personal touch, I used
21). Once complete, the roof panel was then ready my laser engraver to add some text to the
to receive its rubber covering (photo 22). The only completed project (photo 27). Once finished
reason I used this material was because I had and assembled, the bird table stands at 68in
some available – alternatively, roofing felt would (1,727mm) tall and the open sides allow larger
be suitable. Or, if using outdoor grade plywood, birds to gain entrance (photo 28). If you’d prefer
you could just paint it or add a coat of varnish. to restrict this so that only small garden birds
21 I cut the top edges of both roof panels at 30° Having marked the rubber roof covering with can use it, however, the roof can be made
and glued and screwed these to the ridge piece a white marker pen, I could then apply the lower, but in my experience, pigeons always
after carefully marking its position water-based glue (photo 23), which manage to find their way in regardless!

22 Once complete, the roof panel was then ready 23 Having marked the rubber roof covering 24 Once stretched over the ends, the rubber
to receive its rubber covering with white marker pen, I then applied the glue was clamped in place and left overnight

50 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

25 As a final measure, the rubber was fixed
in place with staples followed by more beech
strips, then trimmed to size with a sharp knife

The bottom edge of the sides form a

ridge to prevent items such as seed falling out.
I also provided, but didn’t fit, some varnished
beech strips for the remaining two sides if these
are required, but putting seed and other items
in shallow dishes works just as well and makes
cleaning the table easier. The RSPB recommend
washing down tables and feeders regularly
to prevent infections to birds. I also provided
some screw hooks with the finished table,
which allows the recipient to dictate their
position – either underneath or on the sides.
Another thing to consider is that even with
a substantial base, the table is likely to be blown
over in strong winds. As such, you may need to
consider additional precautions such as pegging
or weighting down, but this depends where the
project is sited and the surface it’s placed on.

26 The remaining table components and

supports were given three coats of outdoor
varnish, with a light sanding between each

28 Standing at 68in (1,727mm) tall,

27 Using my laser engraver, I added some the bird table’s open sides allow larger
personalised text to the completed project birds to gain entrance – if desired!

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 51

 TECHNICAL Start furniture making: The fundamentals

MARKING TOOLS
& TECHNIQUES FOR
FURNITURE MAKING
In the next part of this series, John Bullar explores the range
of marking tools available to the furniture maker, as well as the
techniques that can be used to ensure you get the most from them

2 Basic marking out can be as simple as a felt

pen guided by fingertips to produce a straight
line parallel to the edge

hat distinguishes really

W well-made furniture – aside

from the finish – is the precision
with which it’s been put together.
This precision comes from careful cutting against
lines that have been clearly and accurately marked
3 Rough marking out with chalk guides a wood machine operator when cutting large, waney-edged
planks into slightly oversized component parts

out on the wood. Marking out is the first stage Rough outlines Even so, it’s convenient and useful
in furniture making and it’s also one of the In furniture making, we need different levels for quick marking out jobs.
most important. of marking out and the first is for roughly sawing Sharpening the pencil with a knife blade
the outline of components. When buying wood provides an opportunity to put a wide chisel-
Cutting lists from a supplier, it probably won’t be cut with any shaped tip on the graphite that, edge-on,
Any project requires a list of the pieces of great accuracy, and similarly, when we divide up produces a fine line which won’t wear down
wood it’ll use and their individual sizes, even large boards ourselves, it’s not possible to use too quickly. The old carpenter’s pencils were
if it’s just a shopping list to take down to the much precision at this stage. The solution is to
local timber merchant, and this is known as a make everything slightly oversize, which ensures
cutting list (photo 1). Furniture projects in books it can be trimmed to exact dimensions later.
and magazines often supply a cutting list while Marking must be clearly visible so makers often
people who design and make their own furniture use chalk, wax crayons or felt marker pens at
also need to produce one of these. the rough cutting stage (photo 3).
When it comes to making simple furniture, the
cutting list and dimensions on it can fully define Pencil lines
all the components. More complex projects are Pencils are versatile markers used for different
made up from components that require detailed types of marking, depending on their size, graphite
shaping, both before and sometimes after they’ve type and the way it’s sharpened. The conical tip
been assembled, so while the cutting list is still produced by a pencil sharpener will quickly wear
necessary, it does rely on support from down when run across a timber surface so that 4 A pencil line drawn against a try-square
dimensioned component sketches. the line becomes fatter and less precise. ready to cross-cut a straight end on the board

52 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 1 Furniture projects begin with a
cutting list giving the numbers
and dimensions of pieces of
wood, which go on to become
components of the finished piece

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 53

 TECHNICAL Start furniture making: The fundamentals

5 Different pencils produce different qualities

of marking line – each have their place in the
workshop depending on purpose

6 Shaving a carpenter’s pencil to a chisel point

made flat specifically for this purpose (photo dimensions from one component to another
6). Propelling pencils provide a constant line using a marking knife (photo 8). This gives
width and can be useful on smooth, planed hair’s-breadth precision – something that
surfaces, but don’t try using them on un-planed can never be achieved by ruler measurement.
or coarse-grained timbers, as you’ll break It also avoids the cumulative errors (photo 9)
the graphite and possibly the mechanism. and straightforward mistakes that can easily
occur when measuring and writing down
Precision marking dimensions or filling your head with numbers.
Knives are undoubtedly the most precise
tools to use when it comes to marking out Story sticks
fine details. Marking knives are sold with one The ‘story stick’ is a simple aid, which consists
flat side, intended to be pressed against the of a strip of bare wood that helps make multiple
reference edge, while the other is bevelled. copies of parts using the direct marking technique.
Double-bevelled blades can be equally good Dimensions are marked on the edge of the wood
and more versatile if the knife is tilted to keep in the form of knife lines, each labelled in pen.
the bevel vertical while fine-bladed scalpels are With the story stick alongside the component
excellent for detailed work. The disadvantage and the knife sitting in one of its grooves,
of knife marks is that they’re harder to see the dimension is transferred directly to the
and can permanently scar the wood’s surface. component. One story stick can carry all the
Nonetheless, used appropriately along with marks required for making a piece of furniture.
pencils, the marking knife is indispensable for
any work that demands accuracy. Measuring instruments
Regardless of how experienced a furniture While I often mark out final fitting dimensions
maker is, the ambition of most is to continuously without any numbered measurements, it is of
7 A marking knife produces a much finer and improve or maintain the accuracy of their work. course essential to be able to mark out lengths,
more permanent line than a pencil One of the secrets to this is direct marking of widths and thicknesses to given dimensions

8 Loosely positioning components against one 9 For the greatest accuracy, a knife line marked 10 Marking directly against both sides of a
another gives a preview as to how they’ll go together directly against a component to show its position piece of wood, transfer its thickness accurately
and helps to understand how the joints will fit eliminates errors associated with measurements onto another piece before cutting a slot

54 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 13 Try-squares come in many varieties. The
standard type with wooden stock and steel blade
should be accurate provided it doesn’t get dropped.
It’s easy to check one square against another

straight and smooth does require some

practice. For ease of use, modern all-metal
marking gauges with a cutting disc on the
end are worth the extra cost (photo 18).

11 Using a steel rule to divide a board into equal 12 A combination square has many uses; here it’s Transferring angles
widths. By slanting the rule, whole numbers can working as a depth gauge If you’re going to include angles other than
be used on any width of board, which makes the 90° in your furniture, you’ll need a protractor
division much easier and bevel gauge to transfer an angle from
one place to another.
with reasonable accuracy. A steel rule is Running a marking knife against the metal For the final stages of accurate fitting,
best for this, together with a tape measure blade while pressing the wooden stock against as with distances, the best precision comes
for roughly measuring long pieces (photo 11). the edge of the piece to be marked provides good when you don’t use numbered measurements
Don’t expect much accuracy from the tape accuracy (photo 14). If the line is to be continued at all, but rather use a knife to mark the angle
measure, however – they struggle to give around the wood, position the knife blade in the on one piece directly off another.
precision greater than about 1mm, which existing mark and slide the square up against
isn’t sufficient for fine furniture work. it (photo 15). This way you could almost work Design previews
blindfolded and still achieve great precision. Most people who start furniture making will
Right angles initially work from other people’s plans in books,
Straight lines and right-angled joints form Parallel markers magazines or online. The advantages are both
the majority of furniture, and they provide We often need to make a line parallel to an that someone else has worked out how to put
a good starting ground even if you plan to edge for marking the position of a joint or lining it together and that you can see photos of the
venture into more angled or curvy work. up different components. The tool for this job finished piece before you decide whether or
As well as accuracy in measurements, is a marking gauge, with a stock that can be run not to start making it.
we also need accuracy in angles, as errors along the edge and a stem passing through it. Working from detailed designs is an excellent
here can accumulate. For instance, if I made The stem has a marking pin sticking out near way to hone your making skills. Moving on from
a frame 91° instead of 90° on each corner, its end. Sometimes there’s a second marking pin, this, you may wish to adapt an existing design
then the last joint would be out by a whopping which can be slid along the stem independently, – i.e. customise it to fit a particular space or to
4°! It simply wouldn’t fit together and, if enabling it to mark both sides of a socket at once. hold a particular item. Ultimately, you may wish
forced, there’d be large gaps around the joint. The pins can be difficult to use and need to be to design furniture from scratch and create
Sometimes called a ‘carpenter’s square’, filed flat and sharp like little knife blades if the completely new ideas.
the try-square is an ‘L’ shaped tool for marking tool is to work without juddering. Being able You may already possess drawing skills,
lines at right angles to an edge (photo 13). to hold a marking gauge so that the line runs but otherwise practise with a pencil and ruler

14 Press the square’s stock firmly against the 15 To run a series of lines around a piece of wood, 16 Old-fashioned marking gauges with pins require
edge of the wood while marking against the blade place the marking knife in the end of one line and careful handling in order to produce clean lines. The
slide the square up against it before marking the double-pinned variety, known as a mortise gauge,
next one is used for marking positions and widths of sockets

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 55

 TECHNICAL Start furniture making: The fundamentals

17 Setting a mortise gauge to a single chisel

width makes life much easier when it comes
to chopping the socket

18 Modern all-metal marking gauges have a 19 Working out how furniture will fit together and look begins with sketches, either hand-drawn
sharp-edged washer on the end, which makes or produced electronically
it easier to produce a clean line than with a pin

or sketching apps on a computer or tablet; out and used as a template for marking
this will enable you to visualise ideas and the wood.
explain them to others before buying and
cutting wood. Conclusions
Careful marking is the first stage of furniture
From plans to marking making, which provides a foundation for the
If you’re going to build furniture from a accuracy of construction. This precision is one
new design – either a modified version of the most important criteria that a piece of
of someone else’s or your own – you’ll first furniture will be judged on.
need to work out construction details and Accurate measurement tools have their place
dimensions (photo 22). Sketching them is but achieving tight alignment in the making and
fine but, especially if the design is complicated, assembly of parts is largely a matter of technique. 21 If the furniture is going to include unusual
nothing beats a full-sized drawing or ‘rod’ In many cases, the maker marks one component shapes, a small model such as this MDF
of the components. If a component outline directly off another without measurement to maquette helps everyone visualise the plan
is transferred onto card, it can also be cut ensure an exact match.

22 Transferring a component design to a full-scale

drawing, known as a rod, is particularly helpful
when curves and angles are involved

NEXT TIME
In the July issue, John looks at various
types of adhesive used by furniture makers,
depending on the project, as well as the best
ways to clamp components together while
20 Design details can be discussed with the client and other makers, then modified to suit all requirements the glue sets
before construction begins

56 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 YOU ASKED −
WE LISTENED
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two sizes; 250 mm and the brand new, highly requested 200 mm.
Now every Tormek user can benefit from the hardest abrasive in the
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 FEATURE In profile: Carl Sadler

WOODLAND
SPIRIT
Trug maker, coppicer
and green woodsman
Carl Sadler is striving
to keep traditional
crafts alive
ander about the woods in

W Malmesbury, Wiltshire and

you may come across a
softly-spoken, fascinating
chap by the name of Carl Sadler. That’s if you’re
lucky, mind, as Carl cuts a quiet, green-clad figure,
as much a part of the surrounding nature as the
trees or wildlife. Dedicated to the preservation
of traditional crafts, he’s one of a dying breed,
managing a rented patch of woodland and
using the timber to make garden trugs, and
much else besides.
Although Carl’s working environment is
a world apart from the busy, noisy workshops Carl uses simple hand tools to make his traditional garden trugs, including a 200-year old drawknife,
of many a maker, he’s no less a woodworker seen right
for it. Chipping away on his land from dawn
’til dusk, he merely possesses a simpler, His former position as teacher of rural woodsman for more than two decades
more peaceful approach than most, one studies did provide a natural link to his now, but what does being a ‘woodsman’
that’s incomparably sustainable; it finds him current employment, but even so, he found entail, exactly?
as involved with the materials themselves he needed to make a complete break from
as with the pieces made from them. And like the past. “I ended up marrying one of the Sapling to saleable
many a green woodwork convert before him, local witches,” he reveals archly, “and now For Carl, every piece he makes begins with
Carl didn’t always live this lifestyle: “I was she test drives all of the broomsticks I make.” growing the material himself. Coppicing, the
a young man with a fast car,” he recalls. Starting in 1989, Carl has been a full-time traditional form of woodland management

NAMING GAME
The name you most often hear in conjunction with trugs is that of Trugs – or trogs, depending on where you lived – weren’t
Thomas Smith, a craftsman from Herstmonceux in Sussex who lived exclusive to Sussex either, despite coming to be known as such
in the 19th century. He made trugs, and he made them well; so well through Thomas. They were actually made and used all over the
in fact that he displayed them at the Great Exhibition in 1851. The south of England. There were, however, regional variations; Carl uses
young Queen Victoria was impressed, and thinking they’d make good chestnut and white willow, but along the Welsh border some would
gifts for the royal family, she duly placed an order with Smith. After use hazel and ash, while others had woven bases, and in Devon they
making up the order, Thomas walked 60 miles from his workshop to were made with a solid base as opposed to the boat-like frame usually
deliver them in person, as he didn’t trust anyone else to do it safely. employed. The word ‘trug’ means boat, or boat-shaped, and the typical
The Royal Warrant given to Smith is the reason why you’ll often hear trug uses the same building principles as that of a clinker boat. In the
trugs referred to as ‘Sussex trugs’ or even ‘Royal Sussex trugs’. If you past, trugs were used for anything that required a receptacle and were
want to see Smith’s handiwork for yourself, some of these very pieces – and still are – made up to specific sizes so you’d know how much of
are on display at the V&A in London. a bushel each would hold. They could then be used as measures when
“But Thomas Smith didn’t invent the trug,” Carl is keen to stress, buying things sold by weight, such as grain. Today, however, they’re
“and this is a common misconception. In fact, the first written record mostly used as garden baskets, and as such, Carl sells many of the
of a trug was as early as the fourth century.” ones he makes to garden centres

58 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 Photographs courtesy of Paul Felix

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 59

 FEATURE In profile: Carl Sadler

Carl starts a trug build by cleaving the handle and frame from chestnut to produce wands between 32mm After being soaked, the wands are left to set
and 25mm thick around a jig for anything up to three weeks,
before they’re fixed together with copper nails

in Britain, is founded on the principle that attitude, Carl gets to reap the benefits. woodpeckers nested on the other side
certain native species of trees, such as As well as having a reliable source of timber, of the woodland.
chestnut, hazel and ash, re-grow rapidly he enjoys a never-ending supply of blackberries
from stumps, meaning they can be cut and mushrooms, and he can of course soak Making a trug
down regularly – about every 10-20 years. up what nature has to offer: “I can happily The natural lifestyle is alluring, but of most
If done properly, this process can actually spend half an hour just watching,” he reveals. interest is the wood being harvested by Carl
extend the life of a tree in the long-term “I wear green clothes and, apart from my in plentiful supply – and what he makes from
because although each new shoot begins chainsaw, I work quietly, so I see everything. it. That list is extensive, limited only by the
a fresh life cycle, the root system is already The wildlife comes to accept you in time.” commitment to traditional methods. There’s
established. It also lets more sunlight reach Carl has certainly developed a keener besom brooms, as mentioned, as well as gates,
the ground, allowing plant life to thrive, eye than most for what’s going on around hurdles, walking sticks and more. One item of
which helps prevent woods becoming ‘mono him. He remembers accompanying a group special note, however, and which also serves as
cultures’, devoid of variety. Instead, a diversity of degree students who’d come to study a staple of Carl’s output, is the trug. This small,
of flora and fauna are able to flourish where the wood and, struggling to find what they rectangular yet curved garden basket may strike
they may have struggled without intervention. needed, proposed pulling back the trees to as rather inconsequential, but it’s wrapped up
All in all, it’s a great way of getting raw materials attract woodpeckers. Carl’s advice was to, in a quaint history and tradition all of its own
from nature without causing any damage and “sit down and shut up,” pointing out that – see ‘Naming game’. Apart from that, it has
making sure that there’s some wood left for if they did so they’d then be able to see a personal resonance for Carl as trug making
future craftsmen. In return for this respectful a kestrel and two buzzards; besides, the actually runs in his family – his father and
grandfather were both trug makers. His
ancestors would most likely find the techniques
and tools he uses extremely familiar, especially
as among the latter we can count a 200-year-old
drawknife. “Not much has changed,” he agrees,
“I don’t use any big machinery.” He does use a
chainsaw, but out of the four or five professional
trug makers that remain, Carl’s willing to bet that
he’s the only one who cuts down his own trees.
To make a trug, Carl starts by cleaving the
handle and frame from chestnut to create
wands around 32mm wide × 1in thick. The
frame consists of a rectangular hoop with
curved corners; the handle, as shown in the
photos, is much the same. The wands are
shaped with a drawknife and steamed for
anything between 20-80 minutes, depending
on their thickness. Once suitably softened,
they’re bent round a jig to give the rectangular
hoop shape with curved corners, as evident in
both the frame and handle. The jig is essentially
a mould that ensures the trugs are of the correct
size and shape. “Wood has a memory,” Carl
The frame is then ready to accept the willow The first strip to go in serves as a sort of keel, explains. “Preferably, I’d leave the wood on
strips, which are laid on top of one another over which layers of green willow are built the jig for two or three weeks; two days is
to form the trug’s base the absolute minimum.”

60 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

Carl will finally fasten the willow in place, again using copper nails. It’s becoming Carl’s garden trugs are very similar to those made many years ago by
increasingly difficult to find this variety and, although they can be imported, he his ancestors
finds they’re of poor quality

With the frame and handle set in shape, would come to facilitate all the other crafts. “I always try to be fair. There are wages
they’re then fastened together with copper And the rest of the year is certainly not without of need and wages of greed,” he explains.
nails, used because Carl reckons they “go on its excitement – Carl also does a great deal Doing his bit, meanwhile, to keep trug
forever,” though finding good ones is becoming of work for film and television. In the past making and associated crafts alive, Carl
increasingly hard: “All the industries worked he’s made items for films including First Knight has gone back to teaching – in a manner
together in the past,” he explains, “but there’s – starring Sean Connery and Richard Gere – of speaking, that is. He runs courses all
no one left to make copper nails here – they and Henry VIII – starring Ray Winstone – as over the country and speaks at events
have to be imported instead. Now that boats well as the Midsomer Murders series. When prop with audiences varying from children and
use stainless steel, there’s no longer a call directors come to him, however, they often find beginners all the way up to experienced
for them.” that Carl knows more about what they need than craftspeople. Meanwhile, his son has shown
The boards for the base of the trug are they do: “When buyers ask for gates and hurdles, an interest in taking over when he finishes,
cleft from willow, the same variety used for I ask them where the film is supposed to be set,” and he’s also interested in finding an apprentice.
cricket bats. Shaped again with a drawknife, he explains. “They often get confused, and ask This way, even if Carl is one of the last of his
the willow is then soaked in hot water and why,” he chuckles. “I tell them it’s because all the kind, at least he’s passing on his experience:
clamped around rollers to provide the trug’s different counties had different styles of gates, “I don’t think it’ll die out,” he affirms. “When
characteristic curved shape. The first board unique to them.” Carl is careful to add that unless you lose a craft it’s gone forever; you can’t
to go in serves as a sort of keel. The inner – as did occur on one occasion – people ask him learn it from a book. You need a skilful person
and outer layers are then put into place and to make things overnight, he won’t charge more to show you a trade.” In this way, Carl hopes
copper nails hold the finished article together. just because he knows they have big budgets. his approach will continue to live on.
By this point, you’ll have gathered that the
timber used needs to be flexible, which is
why green wood is a perfect fit. This means
that when finished, water accounts for about
half of the trug’s weight, but due to the design
it won’t warp out of shape as it dries. Chestnut
has as much tannic acid as oak and with a
coating of linseed oil, a well-looked after trug
will provide years of faithful service – up to
100 in fact – according to Carl.

Holly-wood
Carl’s services to traditional crafts don’t end
with what he makes himself, however. Once
a year, he organises all the local craftspeople
for The Cotswold Show, which is held at
Circencester Park. “It gives the locals a chance
to see what’s going on,” he says, “and to talk to
the craftspeople, who’re happy to pass on their
knowledge.” Among these we can count a charcoal
burner, wheelwright, chairmaker, rope maker,
potter, blacksmith and a basket maker. All of the
different crafts are linked together as they once
were traditionally, with all centred around the
charcoal burner. The first burn is an important
part of the show as it symbolises the act that A show run by Carl gives locals a chance to talk to craftspeople and see what’s going on

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 61

 Designer drawers PROJECT

OPEN &
HONEST
Brian Barber’s free
approach to design
exposes the simple beauty
of his ‘designer drawers’
’m a professional chemical

I engineer with a serious interest in

woodworking, which stemmed from
my carpenter father. He taught me
the basic skills of cutting wood, planing and
using a hammer, and I still treasure his tools,
employing them on a regular basis to this day.
I have, of course, extended my father’s
collection over the years to include a wide
range of modern hand and power tools.
I’ll happily admit to a particular liking for Lie-
Nielsen and Clifton planes – they’re superb,

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 63

 PROJECT Designer drawers

,,'

+,'

GcXe ;iXn`e^`ed`cc`d\ki\j ;iXn\iilee\i

*'
)*

(,) Fig.2 Drawer runner

Evolutionary design
-.' -*+ (,. When I used to come across project
plans in the past, I’d usually modify
them to suit my own personal tastes,
then proceed to ignore size details and do
(-, my own thing. I’ve now given up on using
any plans at all. Instead, I’d like to introduce
you to my method of working, which begins
with a basic design concept and gradually
)/ evolves. Sketches on pieces of paper are
=ifekm`\n J`[\m`\n
+, +, +, all that’s required with additions for some
+,' +'' of the detail as work progresses.
It’s a tricky way of working – almost
Fig.1 Dimensions for designer drawers artistic, or at least that’s how I see it – since
things don’t always work out and modifications
the irons holding a really sharp edge for school years, but since my engineering may need to be made as you go along. It can
quite some time. My preference is still for career began, I’ve become really passionate also lead you into almost impossible situations
the traditional methods of woodworking, about it, to the extent that I’ve built my when the next step is difficult to see through;
you see, which I use throughout all of my own workshop as an extension to my I know this could be solved with plans, but I
projects when I can, and I firmly believe that house. I guess I’ve been at it for at least find it a fun way to work and since you’ve
power tools shouldn’t replace hand tools. 35 years now, so I’ve had plenty of practice. complete control over the project, you can
In my view, you should only use power Now, apart from my fondness for hand make it all come together in the end, if you
tools to save time and for jobs that you tools, it’s my approach to design that you persevere. Measurements also tend to be
can also confidently produce by hand. might find intriguing. You see, I’ve never arbitrary, a rough idea of overall size being
I was keen on woodwork during my really been happy using plans… all that’s required. You can then transfer

1 The joints for the frame and drawers were cut by hand 2 The frame has a simple, open construction. The elm blocks provided
some interesting detail

64 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

3 The top floats on the frame, which sits on two 4 The drawers slot nicely onto the runners. 5 I tried several different drawer handle
supports. Also note the cross-rails at the bottom The fronts have elm inlays to match the top designs, such as the discarded one above…

sizes from piece to piece. I’ll provide some Frame construction of corner posts and drawer runners
measurements here to give you an idea of The basic structure of the drawers comprises on the floor until I was happy with the
size, should anyone wish to make the same an open frame made up of four pieces of 45 appearance. I always use the rule ‘if it looks
piece, but this article is really about design × 45mm sycamore – the corner posts, held right then it is right’; this means that you have
as opposed to how to construct the joints together by the drawer runners on each side to be prepared for change and to start again
– I’m assuming these are straightforward with top and bottom rails on the front and when things don’t work out, but most of the
for the competent woodworker. back (Fig.2). Each of the drawer runners is time only minor modifications are needed.
So what about this particular project, then? equally spaced to give a nice side view of The top and bottom of each corner post
Well, it was made as a wedding gift for Ruth, the chest of drawers. I don’t think it’d have were capped with burr elm as a decorative
my eldest daughter. I had the idea of making worked if they’d been unequal as is the feature, which also hides the end-grain on
her something that’d be useful, and a functional case for the drawer fronts, which get top of each post. This took a little extra time
set of designer drawers seemed like a good move. progressively larger as they go downwards. but was really worth the effort. Each drawer
As usual, an organic approach was the order of I experimented with proportions for this runner was jointed into the corner posts and
the day. After a few preliminary sketches, I went piece quite heavily, with much laying out the top and bottom rails were jointed with
for a completely open structure with all joints
exposed and a floating top. With open sides and
back, construction was very simple, the chest
sides being formed by the sides of the drawers.
I had some good quality sycamore and burr elm
available so these seemed like a nice combination;
I elected to use the burr elm as decorative inlay
for the top and drawer fronts. The plans-free
approach and simple construction enabled me
to develop the design as the build progressed,
adjusting it as the project began to come to life.

6 … until I settled on this mix of African blackwood

and sycamore

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 65

 PROJECT Designer drawers

8 … and were given a chamfer on the

edges to match the top detail as before

elm inlays in the centre of each drawer.

7 The drawer fronts were progressively deeper from top to bottom... Using a jig with my router, I cut 4mm deep
rectangular trenches in the centre of each
mortise & tenons. To increase corner-to- base, sliding into grooves routed into the drawer front, squared off at the corners by
corner stability, I positioned additional cross sides and front. The fronts were a little tricky chisel, and glued in the inlays. They were then
rails on the bottom between the front and since I wanted them to be progressively deeper finished off with a razor-sharp hand plane –
back bottom rails, tenoned as usual. In order from top to bottom. With the equally-spaced in fact all of my hand-planed work generally
to give cover to the top drawer, since there’s drawer runners this meant some juggling of requires very little sanding before final finishing.
a floating top, an inner top panel was positioned sizes and positions for the dovetails; again, I find that choosing drawer handles is always
on the top drawer rails. This has rebated when it looked right it was right. a problem with a piece like this. Traditional
edges, which fit neatly over the rails. Originally the drawers were going to be brassware just didn’t seem right as I felt
plain with square edges – as was the top – they were likely to spoil the overall look of the
The drawers but this didn’t look right, so some nice deep design, so I decided to make the handles by,
I made the drawers in the traditional chamfers were added, planed by hand. By now, erm, hand. As usual this gave me some problems
manner, using hand-cut lapped dovetails at I’d also constructed a basic top with a central and I attempted a few different designs, like the
the front, through dovetails at the rear and piece of burr elm, so I went for matching burr one in photo 5, which was discarded. Eventually
I came up with one that felt right, in sycamore
and African blackwood (photo 6), which worked
really well, complementing the piece as a whole.

Main attraction
The top was intended to be the focal point of
the piece and, as mentioned above, I decided
to set a central piece of burr elm in it. Rather
than inlay the elm, I used a solid piece, which
was initially joined to two pieces of sycamore
using biscuits. The edges were then planed
true and square, and two pieces of sycamore
were joined on each side to construct the top.
Again, deep chamfers were made to the edges

9 In place, you can see the open-structure

means that the drawers form the sides

66 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

10 Little sanding was required before finishing Elm blocks on the legs’ tops and bottoms, as well The floating top also features an elm inset, which
the piece with Osmo Polyx oil and wax as elm supports for the floating top, add decoration provides a focal point for the designer drawers
to the piece

to match the drawers. The top was then with Osmo Polyx oil. This has the consistency preferred method followed by a very light
fastened to two runners located onto the of thin treacle, so a bit sticky, but is easily applied. sanding. I have little or no time for belt sanders
front top rails to create the appearance of a It’s best left to dry a day or so between coats to and even orbital versions can sometimes spoil
floating top. For this I used captive nuts buried give it a chance to harden off. I always use a rag a well-planed surface. This stuff does give
into the runners and a bolt through the top for applying any finish, which avoids unsightly a nice finish and allows the grain to show
front and back rails, with each runner previously brush marks and runs, though it can be a bit through. It’s very much like a traditional oil
screwed to the underside of the top – my only messy on the hands. If you must use a brush, finish, but with a little more body. Finally,
concession to using anything other than glue then ensure to wipe off with a rag afterwards. a wax finish was applied to give a nice sheen.
for jointing. Each of the runners has burr elm Three to four coats were applied with a light All in all, then, these ‘designer drawers’
on the ends to match the corner posts, which sanding in between each. The first coat tends were fairly simple to build and everything
also hides the end-grain. to sink deep into the grain but after that it comes went smoothly in terms of the making, apart
into its own. It’s really important to realise that from a few basic design changes along the
Bringing it to life a good finish depends entirely on the way the way. It’s a testament, you could say, to allowing
The completed chest of drawers was lightly piece is prepared prior to polishing. your imagination to exert itself over a project,
sanded using 320 grit abrasive and finished Hand finishing with a sharp plane is my instead of following a rigid set of plans.

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 67

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AROUND THE HOUSE WITH PHIL DAVY

Spring is the traditional time for having a major clean-up around the house, with many of us extending this to
the workshop. Of course, some woodworkers are highly disciplined and tidy their workspace on a regular basis,
but I suspect that most of us struggle to keep on top of cleaning, preferring to spend our time being creative, or
at least that’s the excuse we use…
I’ve recently been watching a series of YouTube videos on acoustic guitar building. It’s obvious that one of the
American luthiers appears to have an almost immaculate workshop, while by contrast, the British maker works
in what appears to be chaos, yet both turn out world-class instruments and probably wouldn’t be happy if they
had to swap ‘shops! I admit that I’m not the tidiest of woodworkers, so every now and then I need to have a blitz.
It’s certainly satisfying, and often rewarding when you rediscover a forgotten or mislaid tool!

WORKSHOP
PEW
POWER
Do you remember a time when ecclesiastical
furniture was trendy? To the dismay of
some people, many churches were removing
creaky pews and replacing them with far more
comfortable, upholstered chairs. As a result,
it became fashionable to create a rustic feel
in your home by installing a pew or two. This One or two hefty screws had been used, but
entailed finding an appropriate seat, cutting the pieces came apart easily with little damage
it to size and plonking it in a suitable corner
of the kitchen or porch. Some were relegated from the timber, though I’ve since abandoned
to the garden where they soon deteriorated. that idea. A project of some sort awaits, though
Pews were popular, and although you could I still don’t know exactly what to do with them…
find them at reclamation yards and auction These days there’s plenty of church pews
houses, they tended to be pretty pricey. I for sale on eBay. Some look grand; others
remember visiting an architectural salvage need plenty of TLC. Many are quite basic and
yard near Bridgwater, Somerset, more than One of the pews I bought following my local perfect for recycling purposes, though if you’re
a decade ago, which seemed to be teeming church’s refurbishment programme looking for furniture with character there’s often
with them. The bottom had fallen out of the some lovely carved examples, too. If you’re after
market, so I was told, and as a result they With more than 150 years of regular use, high quality, knot-free timber – mostly pine
were unable to shift these substantial pieces the seats were well polished and had the – that’s guaranteed to be well seasoned,
of church furniture. odd dollop of hardened chewing gum stuck I’d suggest you could do a lot worse.
underneath. No graffiti or carved initials, though.
A few of the rear pews had doors on the ends,
presumably to cut down on draughts. Brass
name holders and hinged umbrella brackets
were other memorable features.
The first problem, however, was how to get
them home. Each pew was about 17ft – more
than 5m – in length, so even a long wheelbase
rental van wouldn’t suffice. A friend offered to
deliver them on his trailer if I sliced them in half.
Once sawn down to size, and still over 8ft long,
each pew was bulky, though luckily not too heavy.
There appeared to be little glue used With no obvious project in mind, storage was
in the pew’s construction the next problem, though they were easy enough
to stand on end and cover in polythene. With
Siberian pine my recent house and workshop moving saga,
When the pews were being removed from I needed to shift the pews yet again. This time
my local church – an elegant Victorian building I took them apart, labelling the ends for easy
– as part of a major refurbishment programme, rebuilding if necessary. There appeared to be
I took the plunge and bought a couple. With little glue used in their construction, the vertical
very few knots evident, this was perhaps end sections nailed to the seats and backs, plus
the cleanest run of antique timber I’ve come one or two hefty screws, but they came apart
across. Obviously softwood, referring to church easily with little damage. Originally I’d thought Brass name holders and hinged umbrella
records, it was identified as Siberian pine. about making some Shaker-style kitchen doors brackets were other memorable features

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 71

 AROUND THE HOUSE with Phil Davy

SPRING PROJECT:
DOOR REPLACEMENT Takes:
A couple of
A NEW DOOR weekends
Tools you’ll need:
FOR SPRING Drill, router,
hand tools

Although building an
external door from scratch
may be more rewarding,
if you’re working to a
budget, then a ready-
made joinery item may
be the better option,
says Phil Davy
Although building an external door from
scratch may be more rewarding, when you’re
working to a budget and time is of the essence,
it’s just not possible to compete with a ready-
made joinery item. In this case, I quickly needed
to replace an elderly kitchen door, which had
rotted along the bottom rail and stile. The
frame was also quite bad on one side, though
the lower jamb would have to wait for better
weather before it could be repaired.
The new door is made from meranti,
a relatively soft timber that’s often used for
exterior plywood. It’s fairly lightweight for a fore plane, though this depends on whether 1,000mm from the floor.
hardwood and can tear easily when planed. the jambs are parallel in the first place. My The stiles on the new door were wider
Interestingly, using the same supplier, the frame was out of square and the jambs slightly than the original –135mm instead of 90mm
same pattern door in softwood would’ve cost bowed, so getting the new door to fit was trial – and ideally, I should’ve fitted a deeper lock.
a fair bit more than the hardwood equivalent. and error, with a shorter jack plane a better As the previous sashlock was relatively new,
When hanging a door in an old frame, if you option here. Aim for a gap of about 2.5mm I decided to retain this even though it meant
intend on using existing recesses, it’s easier all around. the lever handle appearing offcentre. Perhaps
to start by fitting new hinges to the frame. not ideal, but it saved a few quid! Incidentally,
You could always glue fillets here, then recut Mortise sashlocks the distance from faceplate edge to spindle
them, but this would delay the job somewhat. Sashlocks are commonly available in two centre is called the backset.
You’d obviously need to wait for the glue to standard sizes: 64mm and 76mm. This is Due to the inclement weather, I painted
dry before planing the fillets flush, then re- overall casing width, so you’ll need to chop the the door before hanging it. If heavy rain is
chopping for new hinge positions. mortise a tad deeper. Start by removing most forecast, then it’s always wise to apply at
Always use decent quality butt hinges on of the waste with a flatbit or auger bit. To avoid least one coat of primer or exterior varnish
an exterior door. Due to the weight, it’s a good weakening the joint between middle rail and to any bare wood. Also, glazing beads and
idea to use washered hinges, and you can add a stile, try to position a lock above this. Ideally, rebates should always be primed prior to
third hinge if door and glass are particularly heavy. the handle should be between 950mm and installing any glass.
If screws aren’t supplied, don’t be tempted to use
those from the old door unless they’re as new –
it’s not worth the hassle with dodgy, worn slots.

Hanging the door

Start by trimming the door to length. Saw
off the horns, if any, then plane the top edge
straight. Measure the opening vertically at both
sides, using a pinch rod to ensure maximum
accuracy. Do the same across the width – at
three or four positions – to check the jambs
are parallel. Mark the height on the bottom rail,
allowing for any extra floor covering. Depending
on the waste, remove this with a circular saw and
guide fence, or simply plane if it’s a small amount. 1 The existing door was beyond repair, with 2 Old hinges are often caked with paint, so clean
Where possible, use your longest bench plane an unused cat flap cut-out and serious rot at out slots with a craft knife or screwdriver before
when shooting the door to width. Ideally use a the bottom removing the door

72 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

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3 Check the door frame for square. Measure and 4 Rout a suitable rebate along the door’s bottom 5 Mark both edges with a gauge and plane the door
trim to length, using a circular saw if it’s too much edge to clear the water bar in the frame’s threshold to width. Remove an equal amount from each side
to plane

6 Next, position the door in the frame and check it’s 7 Remove the beading strips. Paint all rebates and 8 If re-using existing hinge recesses, pare cleanly
not too tight. Aim for a 2.5mm gap along each edge rear edges of the beads with an oil-based primer with a chisel. Plug holes that don’t match new hinges

9 Screw new hinges to the jamb and re-position 10 Either use a router to cut the hinge recesses or 11 Position hinges and use a bradawl to mark the
the door. Mark their positions on the door and set chop them out with a wide chisel. Check recesses centres on each flap. Drill and screw both hinges
the gauge to flap width for depth to the door

12 Decide on lock height and check both handles. 13 Next, mark the lock position on the door 14 Bore overlapping holes to suit lock thickness
Try to avoid cutting into the middle rail joint edge, transferring spindle and keyhole heights along the edge of the door. Use a flatbit or auger
to both faces bit with masking tape

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 73

 AROUND THE HOUSE with Phil Davy

15 Remove waste from the mortise, with the 16 Check the lock is a snug fit in the mortise. 17 Carefully cut the lock recess, using either a small
blade just inside the gauged lines. Keep the chisel Carefully draw around the faceplate to give an router or chisel. Trim the ends square if necessary
square and vertical accurate line for the recess corner

18 Drill holes for the spindle and keyhole, working 19 Screw lever handles to the door. Mark the 20 Remove most of the waste with a drill and
from both sides of the door. Enlarge the keyhole striker box against the jamb, drawing around flatbit, tidying up the mortise with a chisel. You
with a coping saw it in the new position can then refit the striker box

21 Mark the position of the concealed bolt, chisel

out, then bore a clearance hole. Next, drill a hole
for the key on the inside face of the door

22 Add putty around the inside of each rebate 23 Putty the back of each beading strip and push against the pane. Carefully pin the beads, pre-drilling
and press the glass into place the ends to prevent splits

74 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

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www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 71

 TURNING Experimenting with tools & timbers

WET VS. DRY

TRADITIONAL
TOOLS
• Crown Cryo
M42 gouges
• Record Power

TRADITIONAL M2 gouges
• Ashley Iles HSS
gouges mounted in
Simon Hope handles

VS. CARBIDE
Andrew Hall conducts an experiment
in tools, timber and techniques
his was an exciting experiment With this article, my aim was to compare innovations, experimentation is required

T for me, not only in terms of tools

and materials, but also the way
in which the article was produced.
As some of you may already know from
previous articles – one in particular entitled
commonly used turning tools – swept-back
and traditional-ground bowl gouges and a
parting tool – with carbide equivalents, including
those from Crown Hand Tools’ Cryogenic range,
Jimmy Clewes’ Mega Mate hollowing tool, and
and decisions made as a result are often
determined by personal choice, physical
situations/ability, and of course budget.
Using the technology adopted for my
online business, the following article is the
‘Needs must’ in the February 2021 issue the Simon Hope Carbide Pro hollowing tool. first of its kind to be produced. In doing so,
– as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, I used all of these tools on both kiln-dried I used five Canon camcorders, an ATEM Mini
I’ve gone from having a practical business sycamore and wind-blown ash. The results Pro, which captures footage and produces stills,
to one that’s now solely online. were certainly interesting – in some cases along with a LumaFusion editing suite to produce
During my time demonstrating and expected, while unexpected in others. the video highlights and photos shown here. All
teaching at numerous venues and events In the woodturning sphere, this very topic in all, it’s a very novel and exciting way of bringing
throughout Europe, I’ve gained valuable has been the subject of debate for some time this format to print. I hope you enjoy and that
experience using various lathes and tools. now. As with any hobby and its associated it provides with some food for thought.

OLS
CARBIDE TO tter tools
Ca rb id e fla t cu
• Crown Easy Wood Tools
• Various agle carbides
• Glenn Te rs carbides
• Woodpecke up myself us
ing
Others made sed from eBay
cutters purcha
best
however, the
In my opinion, d by far the most
performers an e tools are those
id
superior carb Cryogenic range
from Cr ow n’ s

76 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 From left to right:
TRADITIONAL TOOLS
12mm swept-back bowl gouge
10mm swept-back bowl gouge
12mm traditional-ground bowl gouge
3mm parting tool

CARBIDE TOOLS
Mega Mate by Jimmy Clewes
6mm Simon Hope Carbide Pro hollowing tool
Crown Carbide Pro with round cutter

CUPPED
CARBIDE TOOLS
• Mega Mate by
Jimmy Clewes
• Simon Hope
6mm Carbide Pro
hollowing tool
• Nr5 Hunter Tool
designed by
Jimmy Clewes

MATERIALS USED
Dry sycamore;
wet ash
LATHE
Powermatic 3520C
CHUCK
Record Power SC4
professional geared
scroll chuck

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 77

 TURNING Experimenting with tools & timbers

1 The ceramic plate – used for salads, stews and pasta dishes – which I’d go 2 Dry sycamore was used for the first plate. When producing videos such as
on to reproduce in wood form the one shown here, I’ve now started to spray dry wood with a grey primer
to aid visibility, as it allows cuts and tool angles to show up more effectively

3 Here I’m truing up the sycamore blank using 4 Cutting back the 100mm recess using a 10mm 5 Removing a ring of wood, which will be saved
1) a Record power M2 bowl gouge with swept- traditional-ground Crown Pro PM bowl gouge. for a future project – most likely a circular picture
back grind and 2) a Crown M42 parting tool I found that cutting from the middle outwards frame. It’ll be interesting to note the difference
was the best method for laying down fibres, in movement between the dry and wet materials
and therefore producing the best cut

6 Using a Crown M42 parting tool to remove the sycamore ring. I then 7 The tool produced a good finish on both surfaces, but the wet ash was much
swapped to the Crown M42 swept-back gouge to produce an ogee shape, easier to work; this was expected due to the material being drier and the fact
used in draw-cutting mode it was kiln-dried does make a difference. Using this tool, the edge also remained
sharper for longer, especially when used on wet material such as this

8 The project was completed over two days. To minimise movement, at the end 9 Starting with the dry sycamore, I trued up the surface using a Record Power
of the first day, I wrapped both plates in pallet wrap – to keep the moisture both M42 swept-back bowl gouge. These gouges are supplied with a traditional grind,
in and out. No matter how dry your workshop is, airborne moisture will always but if you’d like to see how I produce a swept-back grind, videos showing this
be present. Not only can this be lost, however, but also absorbed due to humidity technique can be viewed on both mine and Record Power’s YouTube channels

78 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

10 Here, I’m using the Crown Cryo tool to true up part of the surface so that 11 The same process was then repeated using both the Jimmy Clewes and
a comparison can be made on each piece in terms of finish achieved using Simon Hope tools
the various tools

12 I separated the face of the plate into sections, with each 13 I carried out exactly the same process with the wet ash and the results
one labelled according to the tool used, so that a comparison were similar, except that the ash was much easier to cut compared to the dry
could be easily made. Both cut in a similar fashion, producing shavings; sycamore. Also, the finish achieved using the carbide tools was far superior on
however, the Jimmy Clewes tool is ground at a set angle whereas wet wood compared to dry. In terms of finish, using traditional tools, the result
the Simon Hope tool is best used at a 45° angle in raking mode was the same, as I’d achieved bevel contact and successfully laid down the fibres

14 I used a pair of figure-of-eight callipers to 15 Results were very similar on the wet ash... 16 ... but much different on wet sycamore
gauge the rim’s wall thickness. The most interesting
turning, however, occurred when using various
tools to remove the plate’s centre

17 An interesting point to note was that all of the carbide tools raised the 18 When used in pull-cutting mode, however, the Simon Hope carbide tool
grain of the dry sycamore during the turning process created the best finish in comparison to others used

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 79

 TURNING Experimenting with tools & timbers

19 The final cut was carried out using an Ashley Iles HSS traditional-ground 20 I noticed a little torn grain on the rim, so
bowl gouge with a short bevel, mounted in a Simon Hope handle. This one therefore produced a shear cut using a long
produced the best finish, requiring the least amount of sanding swept-back 10mm bowl gouge, which, incidentally,
is my favourite tool. Both the Crown M42 and
Record Power M2 produced lovely, fine gossamer
shavings, with the flute almost closed and
the back hand held down at around 60°

21 I sanded each of the plates using 120, 180 and 240 grit abrasives, with the CamVac extractor switched on, in addition to wearing an Elipse face mask
and wrap-around goggles
Conclusion avoid the process of learning how to use
Although this subject has already been traditional tools. They’re also great for turners
widely discussed on platforms such as Meet the with a range of challenging conditions, such
Woodturner – see www.patcarrollwoodturning. as poor grip, manual dexterity and arthritis.
com – and various Zoom forums, my belief And for those turners not wanting to sharpen
is that there is, always has been, and always tools or buy a grinding system, thanks to their
will be, a place for carbide tools. Such examples disposable carbide tips, these tools present a
are ideal for those turners wanting to carry great option. Having said that, Crown’s carbide
out some occasional turning, and can therefore cutters can be easily resharpened using a
diamond card.
As I’ve demonstrated here, I believe that
carbide tools do have their place, although
my personal preference would always be a
traditional tool as it produces a far superior
finish on a variety of materials. The same
result, however, can be achieved with carbide
tools, ensuring you begin with a coarse abrasive.
Regardless of the tools chosen, however, as
long as you use them in a safe manner and
have fun doing so, this can only be beneficial
in terms of one’s health and wellbeing.
I hope you have fun making shavings!

22 One of my completed turned plates

shown beside the original ceramic version.
I set out to emulate this design in wood,
using various timbers, as well as a selection
of traditional and carbide turning tools

23 The two completed turned

plates in dry sycamore and wet ash

80 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

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 String tidy TURNING

STRING
THEORY

Inspired by a piece of
Regency era wooden treen
with a pleasing squat mushroom
shape, Les Thorne decides
to turn something similar
in walnut and cherry, using
rare-earth magnets to secure
the string tidy’s lid in place
As a woodturner, I like looking at well-crafted furniture and
my favourite period is the Regency era with its fantastic lines,
great use of timber, both solid and veneer, and of course the
amazing craftsmen turners of the time. To that end, Mrs Thorne
and I do like to visit stately homes, and we recently spent a day
at Blenheim Palace near Woodstock in Oxfordshire. The day on
which we visited happened to coincide with one of their antique
fairs, and for sale were various items including many pieces
of wooden treen, one of which formed the inspiration for
this article.
I’ve seen string tidies before but this one was in the shape
of a squat mushroom, which I found particularly appealing,
so I transferred the shape to my memory bank – I thought
it’d be a bit cheeky to take a photo – and decided to recreate
it for you here. I have a feeling that the original was made from
apple wood as the lid had a coarse thread cut into it. I didn’t have
any timber large enough that was suitable for thread chasing,
as it needs to be a close-grained hardwood, so as an alternative
I used rare-earth magnets to secure the lid in place.

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 83

 TURNING String tidy

1 I never knew there were so many different 2 Cherry and walnut are a classic combination, 3 Mount the cherry blank on a screw chuck and
types of string available. I found this ball on and I happened to have these two blanks in the true up the outside using a 10mm bowl gouge.
eBay, then drew the project to match its size wood store awaiting a deserving project. The timber The bevel of the bowl gouge will be in contact
is dry, which is important when you’re fitting a lid with the wood, which affords you good control
onto something and a great finish

4 Next, true up the base using a pull cutting 5 When using the dovetail jaws on your chuck, 6 Once you’ve cut away the waste timber from
technique. As there’s no end-grain to cut on the it’s important to make sure that the spigot you the bottom, use a 10mm round skew chisel to form
base, it’s not so important for the bevel of the cut is accurate to the diameter. Here I’m using the dovetail. The angle needs to be approximately
tool to be rubbing a pair of dividers to mark the required size onto 15° to match the jaws. Never put too much angle
the base of the string tidy on as it weakens the spigot

7 Now that you’ve gripped onto the spigot you 8 I removed the heel from my 10mm bowl gouge 9 On a mini lathe, such as this Comet, you may find
can start to shape the lower half of the mushroom. to allow the tool to fit into the curve of the bowl; you need to remove the tailstock to provide better
The cherry I used was very dry, so a push cut was it also has the added bonus of decreasing the access to the inside of the bowl. When working on
best and would help to avoid too much tear-out amount of ‘bruising’ on the surface of the timber small machines such as these, always ensure you
on the end-grain as you make the cut can stand at the end

84 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

10 The wall thickness depends on two factors: 11 When you enter into the bowl with the gouge, 12 An issue with smaller lathes is being able to
the ball of string needs to fit inside and the wall it can ‘skate’ across the surface; this is commonly get the handle of the gouge low enough during the
has to be able to take the size of magnets you caused by a run back and can lead to a big dig-in hollowing process – you may have to adapt your
choose to use. Make a cut with a 3mm parting of the tool. To avoid this, fix the tool against your technique. I have a set of tools specifically sharpened,
tool so you can fix a size to work to thumb at the start of the cut which allow me to get around tight curves in shapes

13 This close-up of the bowl interior shows the 14 You need to aim for an even wall thickness, 15 I found it difficult to turn the inside of this
gouge’s required position in order for it to achieve so achieving the correct depth is therefore important. shape using my normal gouge, so I decided to bring
the best cut. The flute of the tool is pointing away I use my shop-built depth gauge to measure the the 60° bowl gouge into play. This tool’s extremely
from me in the 2 o’clock position and the bevel is base thickness, which ensures I can maintain a upright bevel allows it to be easily controlled in
in contact with the wood consistent 8mm tight spaces

16 Due to the tool’s short bevel, in order to start 17 The Simon Hope pad is normally a little too 18 It fits in there an absolute treat! Because the
the cut, the handle needs to be in this position. big to fit into the curve, but the addition of this ball of string protrudes from the top, I needed to
With practice, you can undercut the bowl with soft interface pad allows it to conform to the hollow out the underside of the lid to allow for
a gouge, or if you’re struggling, you could take shape without leaving scratches on the surface this. Don’t remove the spigot until you’ve turned
light cuts with a scraper the lid, in case you need to make any adjustments

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 85

 TURNING String tidy

19 I didn’t want any large holes in the top of the 20 When attaching the blank with glue, my first 21 The measurement of the base needs to be
lid, so I attached it to a piece of scrap wood using few cuts are always a little tentative. This is the transferred to the lid. My turned boxes usually
hot glue. This is a brilliant way of quickly mounting bottom of the lid and I’m truing up the wood with have a suction fit but on side-grain like this, I like
wood on the lathe. For a piece of this size, five a bowl gouge, used in push cutting mode to make it bigger to allow for any movement that
or six large blobs should ensure a firm hold may occur

22 Use a gouge to remove the timber, working 23 The 10mm round skew chisel can be used 24 Keep stopping the lathe and checking the fit.
towards the line made by the dividers. Having to create the angled surface that’ll match the top As I said earlier, it needs to be a loose, but not
your thumb on the tool affords maximum control of the base section. Take light cuts to avoid tearing sloppy, fit. Once you’re happy, sand the inside
– you don’t want a dig-in at this stage out the grain. This can often occur if you’re heavy- to a fine finish
handed with the scraper

25 When I’m drilling on the lathe I like to make a 26 Once drilled, prise the lid off the glue chuck 27 I purchased these rare-earth magnets
centre mark with the point of the tool; this ensures using a chisel or screwdriver. The glue on this online and they measure 5 × 5mm in size but
the drill always starts dead centre. Ideally, you need piece was so strong that I ended up breaking are incredibly strong. Test drill a piece of scrap
to slow the lathe down to about 500rpm – here I’m the spigot away from the chuck to ensure they’ll be a tight fit into the wood
using a 4mm drill bit

86 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

28 Make a cardboard template to mark out the 29 The template will allow you to transfer the 30 The glue chuck now becomes a jam chuck for
two positions of the magnets and carefully drill correct positions of the magnets to the inside of the lid. Turn a taper on the piece so you can gauge
down to a depth that’s the exact length of the the lid. Repeat the drilling process, then glue the the correct diameter, then remove small amounts
magnets; they’ll need to sit perfectly flush with magnets in place using a small amount of good until you achieve a snug fit into the chuck
the top surface of the base and lid quality epoxy resin

31 Use tailstock support while carrying out the 32 To refine the curve on the lid, I swapped to 33 The hole in the top can be rounded over slightly
main shaping. I’m using a 10mm bowl gouge in the 13mm signature gouge. You can use a spindle so that you don’t experience any chafing of the string.
pull cutting mode. If the flute of the tool is around gouge on side-grain as long as the toolrest can Sand the top to a very fine finish and take care not
the 10 o’clock position, shavings should travel up be placed close to the work; this minimises the to leave any scratches on the surface, as these stick
your hand as shown here amount of vibration that could occur out like a sore thumb on walnut

34 Reverse the base onto the jam chuck to remove 35 As woodturners, we love to add decorative 36 The completed string tidy in cherry and
the spigot. Unlike the lid, I couldn’t get a tight fit lines to our work. Three grooves cut into the base walnut should look something like this
from friction alone so I wrapped some masking of the piece with the corner of a skew chisel finishes
tape around the chuck; this allowed me to remove it off nicely. One coat of lacquer and you’re then
the final piece of unwanted wood ready to add the string

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 87

 TECHNICAL Introduction to woodcarving

1 An animal head post from the Oseberg grave

Photograph © Museum of Cultural History,

DECORATIVE University of Oslo/Kirsten Helgeland

CARVING
The ornamentation of wooden objects, which
developed into ornamental carving, goes back to
pre-history with the oldest known wooden sculpture
being twice as old as Stonehenge. In the first of a
new series, Iain Whittington tells us more in this
fascinating introduction to decorative woodcarving

2 The Lewis – or Uig – chessmen, named after the island or bay where they were found, are a group
of distinctive 12th-century chess pieces, along with other game pieces, mostly carved from walrus ivory
Photograph © British Museum, CC BY-SA 4.0

ooden objects don’t survive grave goods from the likes of the Oseberg low relief, was multi-faceted, giving

W well in archaeology, so there’s

little record of early woodcarving
in Western Europe. Much of
the historical monumental carving in Europe
is in stone, apart from the Viking period, where
ship in Norway provide an insight to the past,
showing that ornamental carving has been
an integral part of Norwegian culture and
tradition since that time.
The classical Viking style decoration of the
a variety of impressions when viewed
from different angles – the whole being
carefully finished to a smooth surface.
The style was exported by the Vikings
well into the middle ages, in high-value
Oseberg Viking Ship (photo 1) from the 8th items such as the famous Lewis – or Uig
century and its associated grave goods, such – Chessmen (photo 2). Discovered in a bay
as the head posts, were almost certainly carved in Scotland, they likely date back to the 12th
by professional woodcarvers for the elite in century, originating in Trondheim, Norway,
society, although there are many more mundane as at this time, Norwegian Viking kingdom
works in wood and bone from the Viking period still controlled the West Coast of Scotland.
throughout Scandinavia and Northern Britain.
The tools for these carvings have been found Surviving monuments
in gravesites and were similar to the modern Possibly the largest surviving monuments
chisel, gouge and Scandinavian craft knife. of the Norwegian medieval woodcarver’s
There’s also extensive evidence of ornamental art are the stave churches – Stavekirker –
decoration incised in many household items, located around Norway (photo 3), which
using just the sharp tip of a knife, such as were undoubtedly stripped of many of
3 Stave churches – medieval wooden kolrosing, which indicates that carving wasn’t their movable items during the reformation.
Christian church buildings – were once solely the preserve of professionals. The complex They retained their structural carvings
common in Norway style of the Viking Age carver, although only in such as door portals (photo 4), many of

88 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 4 Side door of Heddal stave church, in Notodden,
Telemark, Norway

Preserving tradition
In nations with a preserved tradition, there
remains a public disposition to pay a fair,
commercial rate for traditional products.
This has in turn supported a market environment
where decorative carving can continue to flourish.
Unfortunately, this tradition doesn’t pertain to
the United Kingdom or North America where
‘market forces’ have nearly driven decorative
carving to extinction in both education and retail.
Along with the loss of work to mechanisation
went the decline in the master’s profit, which
was needed to fund the training of apprentices
and their employment as journeymen. As a
result, so began the inevitable vicious circle,
which has led to the decline in traditional
skills, that continues to this day.

which hark back to Viking traditions of in England and Tilman Riemenschneider

the craftsmen, with dragonhead finials and in Germany, and more recently the
coiled serpent motifs, and even the occasional renowned restoration of Windsor Castle
pagan image for good measure. Again, due following the fire in the late 20th century,
to the prestigious nature of these buildings, were well known internationally and continued
much of the ornamental carving would’ve to be recognised, and so the trade prospered.
been undertaken by itinerant professional However, the amateur and ‘folk’ work has
woodcarvers; however, as the old saying goes, long been in decline, especially outside the
‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’, so the few nations – predominantly in European
images and styles of the stave churches also timber-producing areas – where owning and
migrated into the decoration of local vernacular using knives is a tradition still retained today.
buildings, to the highly skilled ornamental carving In such knife-owning societies, decorative
and wood sculpture that’s survived due to its carving permeated the whole woodworking
‘monumental’ purpose, such as that from Celtic environment and is now often protected in
and Viking graves and early ecclesiastical relics craft training schools. For example, the early
and structures – almost certainly the work of recognition in late 19th century Finland of
dedicated itinerant professionals working as the decline incompetence with hand tools
part of a construction team. This work would’ve led to the introduction of measures designed
been funded and supported by an appreciative around the need to preserve such skills,
patron with deep pockets. through formal craft education and training.
Monumental works, such as the ornamental By the early part of the 20th century, this
carving and wood sculpture by acknowledged had developed into the Swedish slöyd
masters such as Grinling Gibbons (photo 5) training tradition. 5 Hampton Court carving by Grinling Gibbons

www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 89

 TECHNICAL Introduction to woodcarving

6 Wooden plane with kolrosing detail 7 Chip carving on

the end panel of a
In this forthcoming short series of articles, or ‘craft knife’. In Scandinavian cultures, wooden planter frame
I hope to make a small contribution to delaying for example, where fixed-blade knives are
this decline by illustrating that any woodworker still common, there’s a history of ‘flat plane’
can add simple decoration to their work. carving, where the – fixed-blade – craft, or
Slöjd knife, is still common in the workplace.
Upcoming projects The project shown in photo 8 demonstrates
For as long as people have been woodworking, the versatility of these knives in the carving
they’ve been adding decorative enhancements of an ornamental finial for a fence post or
to their work. Surviving examples of early carving gate stile.
vary from simple embellishments to tools and By combining the versatility of the
utensils – probably an amateur carver, possibly Scandinavian craft knife with some basic
by the toolmaker, or even the owner or user. The hand tools (photo 9), the repertoire can be
simple project shown in photo 6 emulates this extended to the European Black Forest style,
tradition with the personalisation of a wooden or its American Appalachian cousin – the wood
plane using a technique known as kolrosing. spirit. Similarly, the project shown in photo 10
Another form of embellishment uses the demonstrates how unique detail can be added
carpenter’s own tools to produce basic forms to garden structures using simple tools.
of chip carving, such as enhancing the end By now, you’d hopefully have developed
panel of a wooden planter frame (photo 7). a basic interest in ornamental carving, with
During my lifetime there’s been a – necessary part 1 of the article explaining basic carving
– decline in the routine possession of fixed-blade tools and advising on their purchase, and
knives as they’ve been replaced in the workplace part 2 looking at their use in the carving of
by a popular type of retractable blade utility, a Norwegian-style cheeseboard (photo 11). 8 Flat plane carving using a craft, or ‘Slöjd’ knife

9 Another useful tool that’s occasionally 10 Carved wood spirit 11 Norwegian-style cheeseboard
indispensable is a small drawknife

AMATEUR WOODCARVING – by Iain Whittington

This article has been compiled from original carving and decorative carving. Amateur
information given in Iain’s book. Here, you’ll Woodcarving was published with the support
also find detailed instructions on the use of of GMC Publications, with all proceeds going
a computer and ‘Freeware’ for the preparation to SSAFA, ‘The Armed Forces Charity’. Available
and manipulation of plans for kolrosing, chip in most book shops or via www.amazon.co.uk

90 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022

NEXT MONTH

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94 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

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96 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

 Buy & sell MARKETPLACE
FOR SALE
Felder BF 6-31 pro-level combination machine
– with wheel lift for easy manoeuvring; 300mm
saw sliding table extension & hold down; spindle
moulder, 30mm shaft & separate spindle for
router bits; planer/thicknesser – 310 × 225mm,
plus other bits – no mortiser; £4,250
07968 347 733 (Shropshire)
Sealey SM1308 wood lathe – six-years-old,
only used twice, in excellent condition – 370W Sedgewick PT 255 2001 model planer/thickesser
motor, four speeds, 1,000mm centres, twin – single-phase; £950 – buyer collects
bar construction – complete with woodturning 07939 357 953 (Cheshire)
tools; £120 – buyer collects
07952 326 181 (Berkshire) Axminster ND16B drill press – little used
Draper WTL95 variable speed wood lathe – – wood only with vice; £150
2009 – in full working order – 240V supply; £300 Copies of The Woodworker – complete collection 07708 663 689 (Somerset)
01686 640 205 (Welshpool) from January 1985–December 2019, except
for 11 missing copies from 1985–1993; all WANTED
Scheppach hms boxed up and free to collector; collection only Tenoning table/sledge for Axminster/Jet
2600ci planer/ 01708 702 437 (Essex) spindle shaper
thicknesser – 2009 07974 853 172 (Bristol)
– 240V supply – good Hope easy arm hollowing jig – the easy way
working order; £650 to turn hollow forms; fits all flatbed lathes with Tyre for Tormek 2000/T8 drive wheel,
01686 640 205 centre height up to 12in (24in swing). The jig takes or complete drive wheel
(Welshpool) 19mm and 16mm round bar tools; used once as 01793 771 898 (Wiltshire)
new with original packaging; cost £245, selling
for £145 Kity combination machine (or similar)
07816 371 694 (Newcastle on Tyne) – must feature saw, planer, mortiser,
spindle moulder, etc. Carriage paid
Perform MJ343C CCBB bandsaw – little used – +087 2275266 (Ireland)
supplied with mitre guard & fence plus instruction
manual; 240V, 315mm wheel diameter; £30 Australian-made Symtec woodturning
– buyer collects lathe; in sound condition; must be complete
07981 267 171 (Essex) with toolrest – excellent price paid
01454 260 395 (Berkeley)
Kity 1637 planer/thicknesser – 10 × 8in;
1994; needs new motor; 240V – lovely machine Three-jaw chuck for mortiser attachment
with manual – open to offers; buyer collects Kit K5. Attaches to planer cutterblock with
07981 267 171 (Essex) left-hand thread – both 12mm
Hammer A3-26 planer/thicknesser – 260mm 01302 817 889 (Doncaster)
planing width with Silent-Power® carbide tip DeWalt DW1251 radial arm saw – 1980 –
cutterblock – excellent, clean condition; only genuine machine, needs some TLC – open Stanley No.1 plane & Stanley No.2 plane
used in home workshop; £2,500 to offers; buyer collects – one of each wanted by novice collector
01388 815 216 (Stanhope) 07981 267 171 (Essex) 01572 723 976 (Rutland)

New, wrapped Axminster bandsaw blades Kity 1619 circular saw – 1994 – lovely machine Woodworking tools: planes by Norris, Spiers,
– all 98in, 1 × ³₄⁄ in (4tpi), 1 × ¹₂⁄ in (10tpi), 3 × ¹₄⁄ in with fold-up extension table & manual – 240V Mathieson, Preston, Slater, etc. brass braces,
(6tpi), plus 1 × ¹₈⁄ in (18tpi) – from Hamilton – open to offers; buyer collects interesting rules & spirit levels; top prices paid,
Beverstock; £30 plus postage 07981 267 171 (Essex) auction prices beaten 01647 432 841 (Devon)
01279 722 469 (Herts)
JET JTS-600x circular saw bench – join blade; Woodworking hand tools, especially old wood
Coronet Imp bandsaw – three wheel, three supplied with all accessories; little use & in & metal planes, wanted by collector. Write to Mr
speed, tilting table – 12in throat; £100 ONO excellent condition – buyer collects; £550 B Jackson, 10 Ayr Close, Stamford PE9 2TS or call
07759 578 688 (Manchester) 0161 224 2405 (Manchester) 01780 751 768 (Lincs)

BOOK YOUR FREE AD Please publish this advertisement in the next available edition of The Woodworker. I am a private advertiser and have no trade connections
PLEASE TICK: FOR SALE ❑ WANTED ❑
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www.thewoodworkermag.com May 2022 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 97

 FEATURE Woodworking on Instagram

5
From an exquisite veneered bar and wine cabinet with

TAKE a multitude of hidden details to a beautiful turned and

coloured miniature birch bowl, this month’s selection
features the work of some extraordinary makers

1 2

3 4

1 Sleek and slimline bar and wine cabinet by @bensari_ebenistes in American

walnut, Japanese Tamo ash, poplar and birch burls, featuring custom brass
Follow us on Instagram –
handles and a tambour front: “Beautiful wood and lighted stone veneer” @woodworker_mag – for regular
magazine updates and posts
2 Hall table by Seth Rolland – @seth_rolland_furniture – originally designed and built
around 12 years ago but another will be made following a recent commission. The base is
one piece of wood, which starts out less than 75 × 150mm in cross-section, ending up at
305 × 1,067mm. Steamed then bent in just a few minutes with help from four kind friends

3 ‘Harbor Low Chair’ by Kylle Sebree – @kyllesebree –

solid walnut and scooped Danish cord seat

Tea storage boxes by @yenswoodwork

5
4
Miniature turned birch bowl coloured with sky blue @hampshiresheen, finished
5 with lacquer and gold leaf, by Neil Morris-Double – @a_woodworkers_son –
made as part of #theminibuildoffcup set by @docturner_woodcraft

98 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking May 2022 www.thewoodworkermag.com

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