rk10007

Uncle Fester: "Thing just went to get the mail. He'll be back momentarily. Perhaps you'd like me to try out some of these nifty torture devices on you, while you wait."

Rename the machine a "Finger Chopper 2010." Most will use it for its secondary purpose of cutting wood. Some may engage it for its eponymous purpose. Either way, I won't have to pay more for tools.
In the meantime, I want that plaintiff consigned to a rubber room. Remove all tools and machines from his home. He cannot be trusted to live in my world.

My sympathies reside with the majority of responders. How can this be? The answer is that this is an extension not of the California McDonald's coffee fiasco. It is more in the nature of a bastardization of the Ford Pinto case, where Ford knowingly chose to roast people for want of a $4.00 gas tank bladder. Remotely analogous, I'll grant you, since no one anticipates being barbecued while wheeling back from the beach or a trip to the supermarket, there is nothing inherently dangerous in a safely operated car, and the horrible damage was caused by the Pinto being bumped by another vehicle in the rear. Conversely, the dope who chopped his fingers off used an inherenly dangerous tool, if it weren't sharp and fast, it would be unsuited to its task. Unlike the drivers of Pintos whose own lives and the lives of their passengers were destroyed by the unsafe acts of others, the fingerless woodworker assumed the risk, misused the machine in an unsafe manner, and cut off his own digits, he paid the consequence - or should I say, we shall pay the consequence of his indiscretion. Pray with me for reversal on appeal. Protect me Lord from the lowest common denominations.

The bowl has a spectacular grain - almost a burled effect. I too would like to know your methods - if by hand tools, what kind - scorps, adzes, chisels?

Very nice. The inside is beautiful - almost too nice for tools. Did you consider putting one of those odd little mirrors inside the lid?

Quite an interesting discussion, veering between tradition, craft, politics, economics, psychology, sociology and the plight of our auto industry. Jack Cafferty recently landed himself in trouble by characterizing the Chinese as a bunch of "goons and thugs" and said products manufactured in China are "junk." Then again, he may have been speaking of what has become of Detroit.
As for handplanes, I was once counseled to look for Stanley planes made in Sheffield, England. I was advised that the steel was of high quality, and, accomodating the European market, the Sheffield Stanleys were a heavier, more sturdy plane than their American or Canadian counterpart. I am not yet sure, as I am only now putting together my dream workshop, and have yet to tune the planes and put them to the test. My collection is all N.O.S., and I am pleased with the fit and finish, though, I must admit, they do not compare with the bronze beauties cast by LN. I am pleased nonetheless. I am sure they will serve my hobbiest purposes, just fine. Also, though they were manufactured across the pond, that was long, long ago, and my e-bay purchases all added to the domestic economy.
I recently purchased my first new car. All my past purchases were American cars, strangely enough, some were purchased from foreigners, and none purchased in the same decade of manufacture. My recent new car purchase was a Honda Element. While I'd have much preferred to buy American, it was not so much that I left the American market, as the American market left me. Nothing here compares to the versatility of the Element. It seems the Japanese, like LN, have a knack for listening, not just producing.