Issue 109
Issue 109
A Sad Loss for Us All
So often, I really look forward to writing this short letter to you all. I get a chance to be goofy, or irreverent and sometimes accidentally, even wise. Today is quite different. Lee Gilchrist, who was my online editor for this eZine for many years…died on October 6th at the age of 52. Lee wrote our Websurfer Review and the Tool Maker Insider interviews, edited the Q and A, Reader’s Response, you name it; as well as doing all our HTML coding. He was a true all-around talent. But that is not why I will miss him.
Over the course of working together on the eZine, we discovered that we were indeed kindred spirits. We shared fully developed senses of irony and an eye for the irreverent. Lee was a gentle, kind man, and his sense of humor was always at the ready. His phone calls often lifted me up during hectic afternoons. It never took us long to stray from business and start to discuss politics or other silly things. His fight against cancer was a long hard one, but remembering the courage and grace with which he dealt with it brings tears to my eyes as I write.
Life is so very unfair at times and in this case, so very sad as well. Lee’s family, his wife of 30 years Betty, and his son Jamie are in our thoughts and prayers. And as a small token, Woodworker’s Journal will be setting up a scholarship fund for Jamie. (Details in the next eZine.) I hope you will be able to join me in this effort as a fitting way to say goodbye and thank you to a kindred spirit.
Sincerely,
— Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
Today's Woodworker
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Darrell Peart: An Internet Early Bird Who Caught the Worm
As Darrell Peart describes it, being one of the first woodworking businesses to get a web site is largely responsible for the existence of his custom shop.
Q & A
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Flickering Halogen Lighting?
I installed a halogen bulb in the work light of my band saw. The halogen “flickers” with the vibrations of the saw, so I tried an incandescent, and found no flicker. Any ideas?
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Hide Glue from Stain Wood Finish
How is it possible not to have glue show through stain on wood finish? I always get some spots showing. Is there something you can get to put over the glue before you stain?
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Quick Answers from the Editor
Woodworker’s Journal editor Rob Johnstone tackles some
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Wood Splitting on Lathe Projects
I’ve been told to paint the ends of the logs and give them about a year to stabilize before use. Is this the answer to my problem?
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Cleaning Oil Stain and Finish Brushes
Expert finisher Michael Dresdner shares his best tips for getting your finish brushes clean after staining.
What's In Store
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Milescraft SpiroCrafter: Consider Yourself…Artistic
If you have a plunge router or even a rotary tool you can make signs, decorative cutouts and all sorts of other embellishments on your woodworking projects with the SpiroCrafter from Milescraft.
Feedback
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Friendly Rivals: Woodworking Projects, Tools – and Spelling
Readers write in concerning bread cutter plans and end grain. Also, a friendly rivalry about who’s small town has better spelling skills.
Industry Interviews
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Purdy: Those Brushes Sure Are Purdy
We visited the Purdy brush company in Portland, Oregon, where technical support manager Bruce Schneider gave us a tour of the facility, then sat us down with a veteran brush maker for a hands-on lesson.
