Why Buy Rubbish?

Club Drumbeat
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Hastings Woodworkers Guild (NSW) recently took on a major project in the form of a six metre diameter water wheel for Wauchope’s theme park, Timbertown.

Installing a Spiral Cutter Block in a PT-300 Planer/Thicknesser
by Allen Barrett
Spiral cutter blocks offer many advantages over traditional two or three blade cutter blocks, but how do you retrofit them? Allen successfully installs one into the popular Hare & Forbes PT-300 and is very pleased with the results.

Getting the Best Out of Your Tablesaw - 5
The 30th in our Beginner’s Series, in this issue we consider the challenges in cutting crown moulding at the correct angle on a table saw.


Projects

Market Wares - 3. The Trug
by Harry Ellis
Based on the traditional Sussex trug, this wooden basket has a shallow profile, making it very handy in the garden. It a great gift idea but if done in batches it is also a worthwhile item for the markets.

Dowel Joints - 3 Shop-made Dowel Sizer
by Richard Collins
In this issue Richard explains how to make your own dowels from square section stock using a scraper or scraper tool.

A Cantilevered Cake Stand
by Harry Ellis
As a departure from the familiar multi-tiered cake stand with centre stem, Harry makes a cantilevered version from wood. Due to the forces involved, this is a bit more difficult than making a similar design with a metal stem.

Magical Wooden Bottle
by Aaron Ehrlich
This is a very old party trick but it still baffles people - young and old - today. Making the bottle from wood adds interest.

Beginner Project #13 - Weather Station
by Ken Wraight
This weather station looks simple but the large glued up blank and the need to turn three identical spheres creates an interesting woodturning project.

Woodcarving by Numbers Pt.5 - Tudor Rose
by Mike Davies
This rose design originated at the end of the War of the Roses in England. An important decoration on furniture and panelling in the Tudor period, it is an attractive carving that is still used today.

Notes on Woodturning Pt.16B Turning a Cheese Platter from Sawn Timber
by John Ewart
John details the turning of a platter with finger grip and top mould. This is the same design as last issue, but this time it is turned from sawn timber by using a single screw faceplate and a scroll chuck.

The Corella
by Carolyn McCully
Inspired by a photograph from her trip to the Northern Territory, this pattern incorporates interesting detail on the rusted star picket and the shade cloth on the fence.


Other Features

New Products

Book Reviews
Turning Toys
by Richard Raffan
Wooden Boxes
by Dennis Zongker

DVD Review
Mortise & Tenon Joinery
by Hendrik Varju

Issue Number 175

June 2014

Features

USER REPORT - Laguna 14lTwelve 14" Bandsaw
by Allen Barrett
Weighing over 100kg, capable of resawing boards up to 335mm and equipped with a number of innovative features, this machine sets a new standard for 14" bandsaws.

Cardinia Grand Art Exhibition
This year for the first time, the Cardinia Grand Art Exhibition in Pakenham VIC included three categories of 'wood art', displaying aesthetic woodworking to an audience more familiar with two-dimensional paintings.

Red Cedar - Red Gold
In his three book series based on the fictional town of Brown's Landing, Ian Ridgway weaves fact and fiction together to produce an entertaining story of Australia's forestry and woodworking past. One set has been donated for a reader giveaway.

15 Years of SAturn
by Cate Wrigley
A conflict of scheduling has spelt the end of one of Australia's longest running woodturning weekends. Cate reflects on the fun and fellowship that the event brought to many turners.

Clear or Fuzzy?
An update of an article that appeared in AWW #155, this guide gives tips on how to prepare photographs suitable for publication in The Australian Woodworker.

USER REPORT - Feast Watson Sanding Sealer
Sanding sealers are often mentioned in woodworking texts but their application is not always understood. We try out Feast Watson's Sanding Sealer.

USER REPORT - SawStop Professional 10" Table Saw
by Stuart Duffy
Sitting between the entry level Contractor's Saw and the heavy duty Industrial Saw, the Professional model from SawStop will suit many hobby and small shop applications while offering the unique SawStop safety feature.

Timber & Working with Wood Show Guide
Details of the 2014 Shows in Brisbane and Sydney.

Club Drumbeat
Wonthaggi Woodcrafters Inc (VIC) celebrate their Silver Anniversary.

Feast Watson Reader Giveaway
Projects from our final four winners.


Projects

Creating a Wooden Bike Frame
by Nic Roberts
Nic's skateboard in last year’s AWW laid the groundwork for his more ambitious project - a wooden bike frame. While it involved countless hours of work, the result is a unique and fully functional wooden-framed mountain bike.

Market Wares - 3. Tube Squeezer and Tea-Light Lightboats
by Peter Fogelman & Alison Burns
Peter describes his simple to make tube squeezer for toothpaste, water paint, etc, while Alison makes an attractive tea-light holder on the bandsaw.

Orchid Fall
by Carolyn McCully
Having created this image as a watercolour, Carolyn uses the pattern to burn a monochrome piece of pyrography.

Woodcarving by Numbers Pt.6 - Letter Carving
by Mike Davies
Letter carving is a handy skill for any woodworker. In addition to the obvious application for wooden signs, carving can also be used to permanently 'sign' your woodworking with a distinctive logo.

Magical Wooden Egg
by Aaron Ehrlich
Aaron is back with another magical trick - the egg that slides or stops on the string at your command.

Notes on Woodturning Pt.17A - Making the Stem of a Table Lamp
by John Ewart
John details the drilling and turning of the stem for a table top lamp.

Bandsawn Boxed Candlestick
by John Swinkels
A twist on the conventional bandsawn box, John makes a candlestick with its own storage unit. The design is machined from a single block of wood and requires the bandsaw’s ability to resaw and cut curves.

Beginner Project #14 - Coffee Pod Carousel
by Ken Wraight
This 'trendy' project will have even your non-woodworking coffee-drinking friends admiring your handiwork. It is a challenging piece which will take some time and patience to turn accurately, but if you've been following Ken's series, you should be pleased with your finished carousel.


Other Features

New Products

Book Reviews
False Graining Techniques
by Jim King & Beth Oberholtzer
Make a Windsor Chair with Mike Dunbar
by Mike Dunbar
Handsaw Essentials
by Christopher Schwarz
Hybrid Woodworking
by Marc Spagnuolo

DVD Review
Satellite Bowl
by Mick Hanbury
From a Tree to a Bowl
by Guy Ravine

Issue Number 176

August 2014

Features

Ken Newton's Twisted Turnings
by Neil Scobie
Australian-born turner, Ken Newton, now a long-term resident of New Zealand's South Island, has turned his pattern making background into a passion for ornamental turning.

Australian Scroll Saw Exhibition
Held in May this year, the Exhibition marked the 10th Anniversary of the Australian Scroll Saw Network, an Australia wide Club for scrollers.

Gallery
Howard Combes intricate trinket box with 14 compartments - some hidden, some sliding - and a hidden coin collection tray, plus Bill McLeary's turned and carved pieces.

USER REPORT -
Feast Watson Crackle Lacquer
Opaque coatings are useful for transforming workpieces made from bland timber into something much more attractive. Crackle Lacquer gives a distressed vintage look to the piece.

USER REPORT -
Arbortech Random Contour Sander
by Michael Nash
Designed around an innovative eccentric shaft, Arbortech's new 50mm dia. sander has a truly random action, with improved access to concave and convex surfaces. It works quickly, leaving a mark-free finish.

USER REPORT -
Hammer A3 26 Planer/Thicknesser
This compact full-featured planer/thicknesser can be purchased with the Silent-POWER Cutter Block, a spiral cutter design that was specifically developed for the Hammer/Felder ranges to give optimum performance.

Club Drumbeat
The Bega District Woodcraft Association Inc (NSW), also known as the Bega Woodies.

Timber & Working with Wood Show Guide
Details of the 2014 Shows in Canberra and Melbourne.

Drills and Drilling
The majority of woodworking projects require a hole or number of holes to be drilled at some stage, yet a clean accurate hole can be a challenge. In the 31st article in our Beginner's Series we look at the options for drilling a hole and the choices that are more likely to bring success.

Woodturning Demonstration and Teaching Anecdotes
by John Ewart


Projects

Pie Maker's Tools
by Aaron Ehrlich
Most turners are familiar with the Baker's Rolling Pin, but what about the other styles of pin and the all-important pie dolly? These items are interesting to turn and make great presents for the chef in your family.

Market Wares - 4.
The Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle
by Reg Cooke
Any woodworker can make this device but not every woodworker can master it. Make one or more for yourself and others and see if you can make the propeller spin at your command.

Hat Stretcher
by Aaron Ehrlich
If you own a hat or two, you'll appreciate this hat stretcher.

Before You Say 'Yes'
by Harry Ellis
While it's pleasing to do a friend or family member a good turn by making something from wood, Harry points out that some jobs are much bigger than they first appear and some caution in saying 'Yes' is advisable.

Woodcarving by Numbers Pt.7 -
Acanthus Leaves and Flowers
by Mike Davies
Acanthus motifs are a very traditional design and form a good introduction to flora carving generally. This project also introduces a move towards work that is more three dimensional.

Carving an Owl
by Frank Rowe
Frank describes the carving of an owl, using a bandsaw to rough the blank.

Six Science Fiction Miniatures
by Carolyn McCully
Carolyn provides six miniatures which are quite quick to burn yet cover a number of techniques.

Notes on Woodturning Pt.17B
Turning a Lamp Base with Feet
by John Ewart
John details the turning of both the circular base and the segmental feet.

Beginner Project #15 - Tall Vase
by Ken Wraight
Tall vases are usually avoided by novices due to the hollowing tools required, but this design avoids the problem by using two disc shapes glued together for the vase.


Other Features

New Products

Book Reviews
Sam Maloof: Woodworker
by Sam Maloof
Chip Carving Workshop
by Lora S Irish

DVD Review
Jarrah Burr Hollow Form with Pewter Finial
by Simon Hope

Issue Number 177

October 2014

Features

Gallery
Peter Dumensy made a 'his and her' pair of replica Ansonia King Clocks from figured River Red Gum, using the plans and parts kit from International Timepieces in Adelaide.

USER REPORT - Feast Watson FLOORCLEAR
Floorclear is a clear oil-based polyurethane finish for interior timber and cork floors. It has a low odour formulation and is suited to surfaces such as benchtops which may require a higher abrasion resistance than conventional clear coatings.

USER REPORT - Bosch PRR 250 ES Sanding Roller
Intended as a specialised sanding device, this unusual power tool is designed to accept sanding rollers, flap wheels and mops, in a configuration that makes them easier and less tiring to use for extended periods.

Melbourne Timber & Working with Wood Show Guide
Details of the last Show for 2014 - at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on 24-26 October.

Club Drumbeat
The Melbourne School of Fine Woodworking may sound like a formal teaching organisation, but it's a Club run by a committee of current members and an Operations Manager. It's main focus is the teaching of woodworking and it provides a series of tutor groups and short courses. Operating for over 26 years, the Pittsworth Woodcrafter's Club Inc (QLD) is looking forward to the opening of its new clubhouse.

Good Ideas & Shortcuts
Alan and Peter adapt household electric devices to make electric sanders, Donald makes shelves for holding jars from steel studs and A Rankin solves his scroll saw vibration woes.

USER REPORT - Hammer N3800 Bandsaw
The Austrian made Hammer range has a new smaller bandsaw with the release of the N3800. Designed as a more compact and affordable option to the popular N4400, the N3800 still has the high quality build construction and features of the larger Hammer bandsaws.


Projects

Flat Top Treasure Chest
by Neil Scobie
Continuing his popular series of boxes with contrasting panels, Neil has developed this plan for a flat-lid treasure chest. It differs a bit in proportions to Neil’s curved top treasure chest, being slightly wider and longer with slimmed down legs.

Market Wares - 5. Letter Openers/Paper Knives
by Denis Burnham
These openers are turned, trimmed on a bandsaw and sanded to their final shape. Quick to make, you can produce one or a dozen, from whatever timber offcuts you have in the workshop.

Phenakistoscope
by Aaron Ehrlich
The phenakistoscope was one of the early steps in the development of 'moving pictures'. Making a working example of the device is a fun project and a novel exercise in woodturning.

Hardwood Salad Servers
by John Swinkels
This longlasting salad server has two features that differentiate it from a simple set of hinged spoons. Two prongs act as a spring to open the server when the pressure is released and when the halves are reversed, it folds neatly for storage.

Woodcarving by Numbers Pt.8 - The Barley Twist
by Mike Davies
To form a spindle with a barley twist, Mike turns the blank to diameter and then marks it out on the lathe. The carving of the barley twist can be done with the blank still on the lathe or secured on the workbench in a sash clamp.

Notes on Woodturning Pt.18 - Turning a Gavel and Sound Block
by John Ewart
John details the turning of an attractive two-piece handled gavel and a round sound block.

Horse Spirit Drum
by Carolyn McCully
Inspired by a collection of Schleich horse figurines and a Shaman Drum, this pattern utilises a variety of pyrography techniques.

Dowel Boring Machine
by John Hamilton
Dowelling jigs work well when you have a few joints, but if have multiple components to drill, their use is time consuming. John’s solution is a homemade boring machine based on a portable electric drill.

Beginner Project #16 - Tall Burl Vase
by Ken Wraight
This project is a variant of the tall vase described in the last issue, ie. AWW #176 August 2014. Ken builds on the information provided in the previous article to outline how he makes this more attractive version of the original design.


Other Features

New Products

Book Reviews
Turning Hollow Forms
by Mark Sanger
Tables and Chairs
by the editors of Fine Woodworking

DVD Review
Honing and Setting Jointer and Planer Knives
by Hendrik Varju

Issue Number 178

December 2014

Features

Router Survey
We've compiled a list of 7 brands, 22 models, of portable electric routers, along with their main features. We also discuss what to look for when buying a router and when purchasing router bits.

Gallery
Nick Abbott's River Red Gum burl chest of drawers, Cheryl Dal Pozzo's rusted fabric version of Carolyn McCully’s Orchid Falls and the South-East Chapter of the Irish Woodturners Guild's traction engine winning entry in the Guild's 2014 Challenge.

An Unconventional Lathe
by Les White
Inspired by an old book by Frank Pain, Ian took up woodturning. Without actually having seen wood being turned, Ian built his own lathe which he has modified and extended over time.

Junior Reader Giveaway
We have two Dremel 3000 Project Kits to give away to junior woodworkers 8-15 years of age.

The Traditional Tool Group's Annual Sydney Tool Sale
If you are interested in hand tools, new or old, then you’ll enjoy TTTG's annual sale.

USER REPORT - Mitre Maker Pro and Spline Jigs
by Renato Spagnolo
Designed and manufactured in Australia, these jigs for the router table enable you to cut mitre joints for box making with ease and strengthen the joints with hidden or exposed splines as desired.

Club Drumbeat
The Hastings Woodworkers Guild Inc (NSW) holds its 20th Anniversary while the Western Sydney Woodturners have their 25th.

More Woodturning Demonstration & Teaching Anecdotes
by John Ewart
John relates more tales from his past when he taught and demonstrated turning around the country.

Dennis Donnelly
by Neil Scobie
Neil looks at the work of turner, Dennis Donnelly, and the impact of his enthusiasm and knowledge.

Choosing a Finish
The 32nd article in our beginner's series, this time we look at the main differences between finishes such as shellac, linseed oil, tung oil, resin and varnish.


Projects

Market Wares - 6. Boot Puller
by Graham Redden
Simple to make but invaluable for the boot wearer, these boot pullers will be appreciated by customers and friends alike.

Beginner Project #17A Natural Edge Winged Burl Bowl
by Ken Wraight
For this project you need to select a suitable burl blank, so Ken starts by discussing what to look for when choosing burls for woodturning projects.

Carved Walking Stick Handle Repair
by Graham Waldon
While it was an unusual solution, a hidden copper ferrule enabled an effective repair for an 1890s ladies' carved walking stick handle.

Making Christmas Tree Decorations with a Scroll Saw
by Phillip McKerrow
Phillip presents six decorations of his own design and then discusses at length how to make the best use of your scroll saw. This article is not only topical for the season but is also a very good primer for those taking up the scroll saw.

Notes on Woodturning Pt.19 - Turning a Wooden Bangle
by John Ewart
Round wooden rings have a multitude of applications, including bangle jewellery. John details how to turn these shapes.

Night Visitor
by Carolyn McCully
Carolyn's second pyrography of a possum, this one makes extensive use of negative burning and a 'black' background.

Captive Rings
by Aaron Ehrlich
Captive rings have fascinated non-woodworkers and novice turners for centuries. Aaron explains the technique and then turns a practical application, a molinillo, a traditional wooden whisk used in South America to stir hot chocolate.

Repairing a Spinning Wheel
by Ken Sullivan
From a pile of borer damaged bits, Ken was able to salvage a working Saxony style spinning wheel, built by Joel Miller, an Amish farmer who made spinning wheels in Pennsylvania USA between 1840 and 1875.


Other Features

New Products

Book Reviews
Classic American Furniture
by Christopher Schwarz and the Editors of Woodworking Magazine
Home Workshop Storage
Editor: Jim Harrold

Issue Number 179

February 2015

Features

Router Accessories 
You can make your own router jigs and accessories and there's plenty of books and magazine articles on the subject. However, there's an extensive range of manufactured accessories available and we have a look at what you can buy.

Lost Trades 
Fair Held for the first time last year and geared up for a bumper showcase of over 60 traditional and rare trades and crafts in 2015, the Lost Trades Fair in Kyneton VIC is a show with a difference and should appeal to anyone interested in handcrafted goods.

Surfboard Classes 
Combine your surfing with your woodworking and make your own surfboard. Professional woodworker and keen surfer, Stuart Bywater, combines his occupation with his recreational pursuit by teaching classes where students make their own boards in eight weeks.

Woodcraft Guild Inc's 32nd Annual Exhibition 
Held in conjunction with the Canberra Timber & Working with Wood Show, the Treasures in Timber exhibition was another success for the Guild, with many high standard entries on display.

Niki Marshall 
by Neil Scobie 
New Zealand woodturner, Niki Marshall, is well-known for her wood-rimmed limestone vessels, but she also turns and carves bowls, vessels and sculptures from wood.

USER REPORT - Diablo and Diablo Demo-Demon Circular Saw Blades 
by Scott Yeo 
Manufactured in Italy, these two blades offer great value for money. The Demo-Demon is a special blade - designed for woodworking but quite capable of cutting through nails without damaging its teeth.

Winners of the Dremel Junior Reader Giveaway 
Readers had to nominate their child, grandchild or relative for this giveaway of two Dremel 3000 Project Kits worth $99 each.