8 WHAT TRADIES WANT.W
elcome!
That’s a greeting to me and to
all of you.
It’s my first issue of What Tradies Want,
and although I have a bit of time served
in publishing, and a few years with this
particular company, I’m still very much the
apprentice according to the WTW regulars.
It’s an entertaining situation for me. I
haven’t been asked to get a bucket of sparks
or a left-handed screwdriver yet, but I can
tell there’s a little eager anticipation among
staffers. They’re looking forward to some fun
at my expense, I’m sure. That’s the Aussie
way, after all.
I’m not totally new to the title, of course. I’ve
had a few dirt-bike stories make the grade
here and there, and I was on the cover of last
issue, hanging on for grim death while the
lunatic pro driver threw around the Yamaha
YXZ1000R for the camera – the pics with me
at the wheel looked like those videos shown
during driving tests.
That was a great day. And it’s part of what
makes working on a magazine like this one
so awesome.For starters I get to check out the latest,
most high-tech tools.
I’m not much chop with tools. In fact, I’m
happy to admit I’m a bit of a wombat when
it comes to working with my hands. I love
it though, and I go crazy-ape-bonkers over
really good tools and workshop equipment.
My particular joy is working on motorcycles
and small engines, and my heavy-handed
efforts allow at least one mechanic in my
home town to enjoy expensive overseas
holidays with his family each year.
The other great thing about a magazine
like WTW is being invited to ride and drive
amazing machinery – like the Yamaha last
issue and the 2018 YZF450 for next issue.
I couldn’t do that next one because I’ll be
out riding across the Simpson Desert and
back on a new Husqvarna. How cool is that!
There’s a parallel to the tradie lifestyle there.
If I’m good at my job, and I work hard during
the week, that work funds my weekends,
holidays and leisure time. If I can finish a job
and know it’s done well, I can look forward
to the rewards my skills bring.
Another parallel is how I’m constantlylooking for the tools and equipment that’ll
allow me to do my job better and more
efficiently.
WTW covers both bases. It’s a great crew
here at the office and we get to look at the
newest innovations in trades equipment, and
then we get to hit the mainjet and live the
rewards our hard work deserves.
Speaking of which, Jamie, the Product
Features Editor, reckons he wants me to
grab an 18-volt hammer drill and make sure
it’ll go three times as long on a new 54-volt
set up he has.
As if I’d fall for that! He’s probably thinking
it’ll melt all over the bench and I’ll have to
pay for it.
I’d better go and sort him out.EDITOR'S
LETTER
AUG/SEP 2017
The new blokeThe new bloke
Images: Wilkinson Photography