Each week we bring you a round-up of interesting and entertaining woodworking content from the Woodworkers Institute and the web
More wood for outdoor projects
A breakthrough in sustainable wood technology is gaining traction. Modified wood, such as thermally treated or acetylated wood, is becoming more available and popular. These innovative treatments enhance the durability and stability of wood without using harmful chemicals, meaning you can use traditionally less durable woods – such as pine or ash – for outdoor projects. One particularly interesting material is Accoya wood, which undergoes a process called acetylation. This environmentally friendly technique improves the wood’s resistance to rot and weathering, making it a great choice for eco-friendly furniture and outdoor structures. Look out for more sustainable wood options on the market as they become increasingly available and affordable.
Videos of the Week
Find of the Week
The Wooden Warbird
Imagine being a cabinetmaker in 1940s wartime Britain. Resources are scarce. Every sacrificial scrap of metal has been melted down for instruments of war – even iron railings. An alternative material is desperately needed to keep the machine turning. Suddenly, out of the blue, you are required to up tools from your workshop to the factory floor. Armed with your planes and chisels, you are thrust into the relentless industry of warplane production.
Such was the vocation of many woodworkers during this period of history. The de Havilland Mosquito warplane was the aeronautical industry’s solution to Britain’s resource scarcity. Famously nicknamed The Wooden Wonder, it was primarily made of ply and balsa wood. Skilled woodworkers, including carpenters and cabinetmakers, were pooled from across the country to craft components and bring it all together. These craftsmen were adept at using hand planes and other traditional tools to create fine, smooth surfaces and tight joints. The precise nature of the hand-planed surfaces ensured that the Mosquito’s structure was strong, light and aerodynamically efficient. It was a remarkably successful aircraft, and was unsurpassed in performance by enemy counterparts.
Woodworkers Institute Articles of the Week
Competition
Four lucky readers can win four of Mark Baker’s books, courtesy of publisher GMC Books:
- Turned Toys
- Weekend Woodturning
- 30-Minute Woodturning
- Wood for Woodturners
And don’t forget to enter the Mark Baker Woodturner of the Year Competition!