samarafc

Can one actually believe that using a dovetail joint is the dividing point between a fine piece or not? If so then buy yourself a $25 dovetail bit for your router and you - YES YOU!!! are a fine wood worker. Since when does one joint define you as a person, as a woodworker? The answer is when you need a badge a reason to beat your chest, a reason to draw a line in the sand. A beautiful piece thats lasts generations, draws attention, and makes the user feel alive far surpasses the makers ego. A dovetail drawer is nothing compared to the love that is evident viewing the piece, the love of making the piece, before a drawer, if used is opened. Put you heart, soul, and life into your work - this will be felt and maintained long after the obligatory nod to dovetails (if at all). The purists are still using hide glue and hand cut dovetails.
Thanks to Fine Woodworking for the article.
Rich

I very much appreciate your response. I notice that when I sand some spalted wood there is the expected dust that float's only in the air. When i san spalted wood gathered from lake Michigan or lake Superior there is dust that float's in the air however some that vibrates and falls to the floor. It seems that if I sand forest spalt my sand paper has normal wear. When I sand beach spalted wood the sand paper becomes smooth, ie zero grit very fast. Not clogging.
Also forest spalting finishes well while lake spalting is a true nightmare to shape, sand, and finish.
You have to love the challenge of using this wood.
Rich

I have three questions.
first; I have collected natural spalted wood from the forest floor and remote beaches of the great lakes. I noticed that forest wood when sanded creates the expected dust. However the spalted drift wood has dust plus particles that fall to the floor. Combined with the rapid demise of the sand paper may I assume there is a lot of silica in the lake spalted wood ?
Second; Why does it happen to mostly maple? Although I have spalted sycamore and silky oak from Australia why not American Cherry or Elm , or Ash?
Third; what is your suggestion for obtaining a smooth finish? ie no dry patches in a raking light?
Thanks for your thoughts,
Rich

Yes to all comments. Although my printed issue is packed away so it cannot be date referenced. The first time Norm appeared on the cover of Fine Woodworking the following months in "the letters" was a list of people who cancelled their subscriptions because of Norm being on the cover. My how we have matured. I am sure the editors are smiling quietly to themselves knowing their foresight. Thanks to FINE WOODWORKING and to NORM.
Rich

Again depends on the tool. I think it is interesting cordless tools are junked -- so why buy them?
My 12 year old Porter Cable plunge router "died" . A $4.95 motor brush --- good as new. 14 year old 13" Delta planer stopped. $65 for a switch- back as good as new. I would have spent 3 times as much to keep them going. My Powermatic table saw has not even need a belt change and I do production work as a living.
HERE IS A TRUTH; those who use tools everyday have a relationship with them. One repairs them because you "know" them.
Rich