Articles

A decent bench sander, recycled laptop bags and sharpening stones
John Adams |
Thursday, 29th April 2010

The first power tool I ever bought was a B&D electric drill which came with a free rotary sanding disk attachment. I struggled on for years with this and its successors because it seemed easier than sanding by hand. I suppose it was if you could stand the...

 

Green Building Special: Eco-renovation Break Through!
Dave Seeker |
Thursday, 1st April 2010

When cracks started appearing in the flint walls of his 19th century house, owner Pete Nowall thought there had to be an innovative solution...

 

Owl Monitor, Google PowerMeter, Efergy Shower Timer and Firefly windup light
John Adams |
Monday, 1st February 2010

Back in PM51 I reviewed the Owl Monitor. I still have it, and it has proved to be the best energy saving device I have tried. In the meantime energy monitors have evolved and Owl have responded by updating their product with the addition of a memory function....

 

Sharpening, woodturning and carving tools tested
John Adams |
Monday, 1st February 2010

Most of us that own woodworking tools have at some time or another bought a carbide bench grinder, while knowing full well that what we should have bought was a wetstone grinder - but they were too expensive and difficult to source.

 

Beyond seed catalogues: growing sweet potatoes, Wonderberries and White Alpine Strawberries
Emma Cooper |
Monday, 25th January 2010

Delving into seed catalogues is a great way to pass the time until spring arrives and we can all get back to planting. They have a tendency to arrive all at once, and there are so many of them these days that they can be overwhelming. Personally I pitch all the...

 

Woodturning, outdoor cooking and remote power control
John Adams |
Tuesday, 29th September 2009

I've always hankered after a woodturning lathe but until now lack of space has prohibited it.However the Scheppach DMT450 stands on a tabletop rather than the floor and is...

 

Kotlich cooking sets, the Freeloader solar charger, and wood-carving knife sharpening
John Adams |
Monday, 3rd August 2009

Q is always coming up with high-tech gadgets for 007, and I rather like some of the clever devices that cross my desk, but sometimes it's the really simple things that turn out to be the most impressive.

 

How To Weave A Woollen Underblanket
John Adams |
Wednesday, 1st March 2006

I first encountered peg loomed woollen rugs when I slept on one in Ben Law's old caravan. It made for a surprisingly warm and comfortable night's sleep. I was struck by its simplicity, decorative qualities and obvious durability and wished I had one of my own. I...