Issue 111
Issue 111
Turning Family Treasures!
Last summer, we put in a monster patio behind my house. When the contractor gave us the bid, he looked at the big stump which was all that remained of the huge American elm (a sad casualty of Dutch Elm disease ) that had shaded my house for 100 years or more and said, “No problem getting this out…an afternoon should do it.”
Bravely spoken, but after a day and a half of chain sawing, chopping, hacking…copious quantities of cursing…and big-honkin’ machine grinding, the stump was finally defeated. Early in its vivisection, though, that same contractor removed several very large chunks of spalted stump wood. I have no qualms about Dumpster diving, so I happily dug them out and squirreled them away with the plan to turn holiday gifts for my children…the same children who, over the years, spent hours not weeding the garden under that departed elm tree.
Well, here it is November, and I am beginning to feel a bit of urgency on those holiday gifts. I’m sure some of you know how I feel…. And as I have not even turned on my lathe yet, there’s a good reason for that urgency. But, fear not, my good intentions will be realized in short order. So, gotta go: I have some turning to do!
Sincerely,
– Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
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Bob Sweazey: When I’m Sixty-Four
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Woodfinder: Helping Find That Perfect Wood
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What's In Store
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Fast and Strong: DeWalt’s Cordless Finish Nailer
With a line of four multi-volt 12/14.4 volt models, DeWalt introduces its first heavy-duty cordless finish nailers. Among them is the DC612KA, a 1 1/4″ 2 1/2″, 16-gauge straight finish nailer.
Q & A
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Eastern Red Cedar Outdoor Furniture
A reader is making outdoor furniture from Eastern red cedar. What glue should he use? Our experts weigh in and agree on a basic plan.
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What Is Meant by LN IN in Measurements?
I have a plan that tells me to cut a cleat 130 ln.in. What is ln.in.? Our experts have a short, concise answer to this popular question.
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Removing Planer Streaks
When I planed some rough-sawn spruce boards, they left pitch streaks on my planer. What is the best way to remove the pitch without damaging the metal and plastic?
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A Shellac Explosion: What Happened?
I popped the top on a quart can of shellac today, and POW; the lid hit the ceiling of the garage, sending shellac everywhere. What did I do wrong?
Feedback
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Feedback on Candleholder Plans
A reader has a note to share about Woodworker’s Journal’s candle holder plan, and more feedback on past eZine articles and woodworking in general.
