Editor’s Letter
6 Australian Wood Review
Safer saws
Safety could be the most important thing about woodwork that can often
be ignored. Learning best practices and using guards, jigs, pushsticks and
personal protective equipment are all recommended – and then there is
the human element to avoid – tiredness and distractions.
Flesh sensing sawblade technology was invented around 20 years ago and
became accessible to Australian woodworkers in 2010. In recent years
safety sawblade technology developed by other brands has emerged.
In contrast to the first-seen SawStop technology which activates on
contact, new technology employs cameras and scanners to detect a
‘hazard’ and cause the blade to drop below the table...and here is the
game changer, without a braking unit or damage to the blade. This new
technology is slated to reach Australian buyers in higher priced professional
grade machinery in 2020. Hopefully this will filter down to lower cost
machinery in the near future. Philip Ashley gives us a rundown on these
developments from p.36.Outside the square
US maker Kelly Parker is shown on the cover this issue. With a love
of woodworking that started in high school, Kelly went on to gain a
degree in biochemistry and then work as a corporate chemist before
coming back to designing and making on a fulltime basis. She writes
about the complex process of making her Triptych boxes, from design
and prototyping, through to jigmaking, small parts handling and
surface treatments.Outside the round
Andrew Potocnik is one of the most creative woodworkers I know,
always experimenting, always seeing ‘design opportunities’ even
when things don’t go to initial plans. When segmented, textured and
thoughtfully arranged, turned wood can move out of its circular world
and present an incredible range of possibilities. I hope the article on
p.58 inspires new directions in your work.Different strokes
Diversity is a concept we see promoted in all walks of life, not least
in the realm of woodworking where there really is scope for all
attitudes, influences and tastes. On the one hand this issue we show
the impossibly fluid lines and finely carved surfaces of some of Grant
Vaughan’s new work, while on the other there is the expressionistic
approach of Jeff Donne who breathes life into his puppets with the
brush strokes of his whittling knives.Valuing our local
Do you know what Australia’s tree emblems are? No? Well that’s
because there aren’t any. There are national and state emblems for
fauna, flowers, gemstones and more – but not for Australian native
species. Read how one group of passionate tree lovers is making a
push to rectify that on p.90.Age is no barrier
As Australian Wood Review’s Student Awards enters its sixth year
it’s safe to say that age is no barrier to or predictor of fine work.
The evidence for this can be seen in the galleries of student entries
on our website. The 2019 competition is open for entry now at
http://www.woodreview.com.au/student-awards. If you know a younger
woodworker who might like to enter please pass this information on.Linda Nathan, Editor
[email protected]http://www.woodreview.com.auAustralian Wood Review is copyright, no par t of it can be
reproduced in any form by any means without prior writ ten
permission of the publisher. All material is printed in good faith,
however the publisher will not be held liable for any form of damage
whatsoever or liability, claim, or proceeding arising from printing
of same. The opinions of writers and adver tisers presented in this
magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.
SAFE T Y: Woodworking can be dangerous. Do not under take
any work, process or action without adequate skill, training,
safety equipment and/or awareness.PRINT AND ONLINE EDITOR:
Linda Nathan
[email protected]
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS:
Raf Nathan, Robert Howard, Richard Raffan,
Richard Vaughan, Neil Erasmus, Philip Ashley
CONTRIBUTORS:
James Brook, Kerryn Carter, Damion Fauser,
Jugo Ilic, Charles Mak, Terry Martin,
Troy McDonald, Darren Oates, Andrew Potocnik,
Graham Sands, Vic Tesolin, Peter Young.
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ISSN:
1039-
COVER:
US maker Kelly Parker in her workshop.
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY:
Penelope Cline