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thanks for the input--I've decided against rubbing out!

Boy I learn alot on these boards--thanks again!

Glen

I've been reading about rubbing out varnish finishes and getting concerned about my schedule to complete a built in fireplace mantle/entertainment unit before Christmas. (I'd like to have the room...

Okay--sounds like I got the right stuff! I'm planning on 4 coats--do you guys do more? When I get to the rubbing out stage do you suggest steel wool? I have Mirka stearated paper down to 1200 grit...

I'm mixing my first batch of wipe on varnish using tung oil, MS and Pratt & Lambert 38. I bought gloss but I've been wondering if I should use the dull instead. (I was worried keeping the...

I was leaning towards tung oil in the belief that it would darken abit less over time. Finding polymerized tung oil seems to be the trick--I haven't found any supplier other than Lee Valley in...

I'm considering mixing my own wipe on finish . I'm thinking of a typical 1/3 mineral spirits 1/3 Pratt & Lambert 38 and 1/3 tung oil. What I'm looking for is a source for the tung oil. Has anyone...

thanks guys--I kind of figured I couldn't put BLO over the varnish. I think I'm going to take off the varnish and start with BLO. I know the colour will darken but I find it quite flat looking at...

David,

Those are great looking squares--nicely done! Did you make a jig to help with the assembly? It'd be easy enough to adjust the top of the blade if it is out of square after assembly--I...

I'm making a fireplace mantle out of cherry to match the kitchen cupboards. My sample board had BLO with Deft Danish Oil (a Tung oil/poly product from Lee Valley) on top--it looked like a close...

I finally made my mind up last week and went with the ClearVue. In the end it came down to money and the my sense that the CV cyclone was probably a better design. Ed has been great to deal with. ...

Bill,

Thanks for the shop tour! I like the idea of 3 1/2 hour installation!

Glen

Paul, thanks for info on the Oneida--I can confirm that after my post I researched the fan charts (I had Oneida email me them) and the V-3000 is not adequate. The 3 hp dust gorilla has adequate CFM...

I'm looking at buying a cyclone system and I need some advice. This is for my residential basement workshop. (Table saw with overhead dust collection; 14" band saw; jointer; planer; router). Shop...

Cliff, thanks! The handles are cocobolo on all the saws but the the half-back which is wenge, (I don't recommend using the wenge for handles--its brutal to fill and is very brittle. The cocobolo, on...

The work on this board inspired me to start tool building--I've shown these before but I use them all the time--the satisfaction in using them never goes away! My hand sawing has really improved...

I think these are an incredible value--I love my high angle smoother--use it all the time. I just bought the trim plane and am very very impressed. These things just can't be beat for price and...

George, yeah I'm talking about a 1" x 42" unit. From your comments I conclude that the smaller abrasive area of the smaller belts would reduce their life (that makes sense). Are there any other...

What are the main benefits of the 72" belt length over a 42" belt? Cooler cutting?? I've been looking at the Lee Valley system item number 68Z75.01 for making carving and marking knives...seems...

Thanks for the help!

Harry, I did apply the vaseline as recommended--the compound went on smooth.

Derek, I think you're right about the leather being too soft--at least too bumpy.

Dan,...

All this talk about stropping made me try the leather stropping disk on my Worksharp again. It is suede side out and quite rough. I managed to "unsharpen" the plane iron a number of times using it....

This is probably an obvious point--but one problem I've had in cutting tenons is having the stock too high in the vise. Even a couple inches higher seems to throw me off. (I guess its also possible...

Jay, I imagine you could make your wedge lay it in the plane mouth with rubber cement and then epoxy or glue in abuttments for a perfect fit. A couple of wood dowels through the plane throat wall...

I totally agree with the "just do it" sentiment. Two years ago for a Christmas stocking stuffer, I gave each of my kids, (oldest one 12) a block of maple and a blade, (the Lee Valley replacement...

+ 1 on this recommendation--the 63 degree bed angle seems to tame curly and bird's eye maple pretty well. This is one of my "go-to" smoothers for tough wood. I've also used the replacement blades...

Joel--you're right--it does kinda look like a pistol grip. You're also right that it fits into the hand the same way each time. Its not intended for heavy work but its great for detail work. I...