moscowfield

I just got off the phone with David. He came home on Monday but is still very weak. He said he can hardly lift a spoon, let alone a #7 jointer, and the doctors have said it will be 3 or 4 months before he is fully recovered. He wanted to pass on how overwhelmed he has been by the response of the woodworking community and the hundreds of emails he has received. The good news is that before he is well enough to teach and travel he hopes to be well enough to do some writing so I hope we can get him back in the magazine next year. Get well David! Mark

Chris,
I can't speak for Taunton, only for myself. Although it's been 8 years since I saw David, I still use the Record #4 1/2 that I tuned up under his supervision and I think of him each time it produces thin shavings. I was happy to make a small donation and happy that I was financially able to do so.
Regards,
Mark.

AutumnWoods,
I'm curious how you charge for a finishing job: A per-hour fee with an upfront estimate or a pre-agreed price? Do you insist on having the piece in your shop so you can look over it thoroughly for poor surface prep before quoting a price?
Good tip on how to test out a finisher before handing over your masterpiece!
Mark.

Bob,
Many thanks for your input. You say that your finisher only sprays conversion varnish and lacquer and does all your finishing. Does this mean that you don't accept a commission if the buyer wants say a rubbed oil finish? What kind of notice do you need to give that you'll bring a piece in and how long do you need to wait until it is done?
Mark.

Derek,
What an interesting story. Thanks for sharing it with us. Did the seller know anything about the history of the plane?
Mark.

Davcefai, I visited Bath 7 or 8 years ago and while it does indeed have a wealth of Georgian architecture, I think Edinburgh has a larger area in this style. On the other hand, the latter's stone tends to go dark as it ages where as Bath's sandstone retains that warm, honey colour. I wish I could afford a Georgian house in either city!

Thanks for all your suggestions and comments. Our aim was to pick a representative from each type of exterior finish rather than several marine varnishes or several spar varnishes etc. If we do a follow up test we may test just the most durable finishes such as professional spray-applied ones, other marine varnishes and maybe the non-pigmented paint. We'll probably have to leave the boards up on the roof for several years before publishing the results!
Doneby, I'm quite glad to to read about the trouble you had stripping Epifanes. I think the secret is that as soon as the surface dulls, or the finish is damaged, scuff sand it and apply another couple of coats.
Farmer2, I think the width of the bench to is about 20 in. and I made the top a shallow W shape as people sit on it from both sides. From peak to trough it is only about 1/2 in. If I was making it for a one-sided top I'd probably go a little deeper. The end slats overhang the cross supports by about 3/4 in. Everything is screwed from underneath.

John,
It makes sense that paint without the binder would work but I've never heard anyone doing it. Any particular brand of exterior deep base tint? Were you brushing it or spraying and are the last coats 40% paint or 40% mineral spirits? I'll have to try it. Thanks!

Many thanks for all the suggestions. We are already putting feelers out to potential authors on some of the ideas. Suggestions of suitable authors on some of the more unusual subjects (S.W. furniture, regional period furniture, Biedermeier etc.)would be welcome. We may or may not do a full project on these styles but alternatives include a Master Class, a back cover plus How they did it etc. If you don't want to suggest a name publicly, (or you are embarassed to suggest yourself!) feel free to email me directly. Mark S.

USNERDOC, what would you like the video to show and would you want it to be a stand alone video or linked to an article in the magazine?
Johnmcm, we have a master class coming up on carving a knee shell, currently slated for the Sep/Oct issue.
Bob, I've forwarded your birdhouse idea to Fine Homebuilding!
The last time we covered roll-top desks was in issue 13. The article has the nice sub-hed "How King Louis hid his clutter". It sure would be a big subject to tackle. Maybe Steve Latta is game for the challenge.
Kevin, not sure about the Spanish and Gothic furniture but I agree with you on how to create a finish on a period piece. My personal feeling is that the piece on the back cover of 205 (on its way to you) could have had some mild aging done to it.
Townsend fans, that is certainly an iconic American piece altough Randy O'Donnell covered most of these elements on a smaller scale in his article on the document cabinet in issue 178.