hcb

I believe the suit should have stopped with the employer, but the insurance company saw bigger money up the line.
That said, this technology is a big step forward; and I am appalled by the cynicism and circle-the-wagons mentality of the PTI and the individual companies who have resisted this change. Their shunning of Gass an his patents is a classic case of not-invented-here arrogance and head-in-the-sand thinking. History -particularly the history of technology - is full of examples of huge change coming from outside the establishment. The change agent has often been burned at the stake or imprisoned or shot, but the change happens anyway. The cost-experience curve will bring the prices down. And when it comes to patent protections in history just consider Apple, Singer Sewing Machines, Bell Telephone and even the lowly gelatine capsule as just four ubiquitous examples of great ideas with bulletproof patents that changed the culture.

I'm a hobbiest, not a pro, but I recently visited the nearby shop of a builder of heirloom quality one-off furniture whose pieces often sell in five figures. He works mostly with Japanese hand tools. He was nearing completion of a tall chest with eight or ten drawers of various sizes in a very contemporary rendering of a classic design. The piece had exquisite hand cut dovetails, great detailing and a wonderful, luminous, hand-planed finish. The drawers were solid wood, but when I asked about the quilted big leaf maple carcass, which was breathtaking, I was told it was veneer over MDF. He was so matter-of-fact, and I was so surprised, I couldn't reply. I just nodded as if to say, "of course," and went on admiring. I've been meaning to circle back and ask a few more questions, and this discussion has brought it back to mind. I have heard other builders say that modern cabinet woods don't have the structural quality and stability of the wood used generations ago by hand builders in what are now antiques, so MDF is often used under fine veneers in high quality furniture.

Nice mug. Great line and detail. What did you use to finish the interior; and how did you attach the handle? I made one recently in response to a special request but chose to leave it unhandled. I've got a picture somewhere. . . .