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I like the idea of yew and English walnut. Pete Martin at Good Woodworking used to use a lot of American walnut and maple, which was very dramatic, but a bit lacking in character, I felt. I like there to be some synergy between species, as is certainly the case with yew and English walnut...

What about bog oak, rather than all this dying business? I've got some small bits you could cut into veneer if you're interested. You could do bog oak and normal oak, retaining the texture, but getting a good contrast. In fact you could go for brown oak, normal oak and bog oak for a real oaky...

Good stuff. Just broke my rule of never guessing species!!! It's an invitation for embarrassment!

Looks like a softwood to me. Larch??? Or western red cedar perhaps? Nick

I hate tool wells, and tend to cover them over, usually with birch ply if I can afford it. The bench looks fine. I agree with Paul about the end vice. The Veritas one is excellent, though it's a pity the handle doesn't separate from the screw thread. Nick

I'd try ash first because it is easiest to split. The grain is very straight, and a froe or just a hatchet will split it easily. It also dries quickly and is available from firewood suppliers. Split a 4in diameter piece of branchwood, say 1ft long, in two, and hold in a vice. Use your planer to...

I'll be there. Do come and say hi on our stand!!! We've got some gifts for anyone who takes out a sub or renews!!!! It's a nice show, and under new management this year, so it will be interesting to see if there've been any changes. Nick

I've never heard that tensioning the blade can twist the table. Is that common? Nick

It is available in larger Smiths if you want to keep trying it. What is it you are looking for that would persuade you to take out a subscription (considering you quite enjoyed it)? Nick

I have done that in the past. If anyone has any suggestions, then send them my way and I'll put them in the magazine, as you say with analysis and updating. I don't have many of those old issues. But someone can surely supply some. Some magazines, Fine Woodworking particularly, produce...

I hope there's still room for mags and ours provide a valuable service, but Jacob has a point. If you can find Charles Hayward's fabulous The ABC of Woodwork you will have bought a gem. Cheers Nick

The passing of Andrew Varah was indeed very sad. I was amazed to learn that he would put a concealed compartment in some (or all, not sure) of his pieces, containing a jewel. I'm told, but not had confirmed, that clients had one year to find the compartment, after which Andrew would remove and...

Pete Claydon, who makes the Red Leaf wooden surfboards (www.redleafsurfboards.com) in the latest issue of British Woodworking is experimenting with paulownia (I think). Reportedly it only needs finishing with a 50:50 mix of boiled linseed oil and turps to be resistant, even to sea water. Trouble...

Of course, I'd say British Woodworking is best! You can buy a trial subscription of three issues for £5 at www.britishwoodworking.com to get you going, with no strings attached. You don't have to cancel or anything. You can also try an electronic version for an iPad, iPhone, Android etc... at...

What's h/w?

Actually, making them must be easy, it's the fittings that are probably the tricky bit. Watch out in British Woodworking for a loo seat: we have no modesty!!!! We'll try to do something in the next couple of issues. Just the sort of Frugal Woodwork we like. Nick

It's ok. All sorted. They emailed me but I lost the email!!!

Has anyone ever made (or bought) a small wooden loo seat for children? It needs to be about 315mm wide and 397mm deep, for a compost toilet at a pre-school outdoor camp. Thanks Nick

Someone contacted me about testing Abranet on a wide drum sander recently. I now have the Abranet but can't recall who contacted me! Please email me again. Cheers Nick

Who does anyone recommend? Nick