Replies

1. 
   PeterDurand | Dec 11, 2008 01:26am | #1

   That is a very nice thing to do.

    

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...

2. 
   Lataxe | Dec 11, 2008 01:40am | #2

   Steve,

   I have problems making even the simplest of carvings in furniture by hand without them looking lumpen and "overcut".  In fact, I often make 3 or 4 practice attempts in scrap and then give up.

   I will come for a lesson at Taunton.  Please note that I only fly 1st class.  :-)

   Lataxe of Galgate, Angland.

1. 
   dougmeyer | Dec 11, 2008 06:32pm | #3

   Well if you go back to the really long and not very fun thread from a while ago, you will see my issue is Sharpening. Hand plans, chisels, it really does not matter.  From what I got out of the thread. It appears that pretty much any of the methods people use will work, if you get someone to learn that method. It is the learning that is the issue.

   If you are looking for an idea on a power tool that gives people fits, I would say it is the jointer.  Hard to set up. easy to mess up when using.   As a newer person in the wood working bit that was my biggest issue with any one tool.

   Other issues to consider would be finishing. But that is a whole other can of worms.

   Doug M.

1. 
   sscott | Dec 16, 2008 08:03pm | #21

   Doug,

   Thanks very much for your post. I've read through (some of) the thread you mentioned, and I'd like to learn more. Can you contact me offline at [email protected]?

   Thanks!

   Steve S.

3. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 11, 2008 07:46pm | #4

   This is a great program, and a good source of tutorial videos. While I enjoyed the Rawson/Rogowski video, more detail, along with closer shots and better lighting, would have been even more so.

   Any contributing editors in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area? ;-)

4. 
   ring | Dec 11, 2008 07:46pm | #5

   I'm constantly frustrated trying to hop over to a local store and pick up items like brass screws, brads, offset hinges, etc. If you'd be so kind as to fly me to the US I could remedy my frustrations and practice this "technique", even without much help from the experts!

   Just poking fun...it's a good project for the magazine.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 12, 2008 06:52pm | #7

   David,

   I, too, am frustrated with the 440 foot walk to my shop uphill in the freezing cold.  It's 9° F today, and the path is as slippery as an ice rink.

   Jeff, lacing up the skates to get to work

1. 
   ring | Dec 12, 2008 07:00pm | #8

   I know you're gonna find this hard to believe but I get nostalgic sometimes about snow... I haven't seen any for quite a while. Last night it got cold here ("ha!" you say) - it went down to 10°C, that's around 50°F. I actually had to put a jacket on to go outside.Happy skating.
   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   Dave45 | Dec 13, 2008 03:24am | #9

   We've had 3-4 mornings with frost on the roof tops and one with frost on the ground. I actually had to scrape the truck windshield before I took off.Do I miss snow?? NOT!!! - lolOh yeah, this thread is supposed to be about shop frustrations so I'll toss in a couple.1. Right now, my workbench is piled full of Xmas decorations waiting for whats-her-name to pick thru them. I doubt if a magazine can do much about that. - lol2. In spite of several hours reading articles and practicing, I still can't get a decent hook on a card scraper. David Marks gets beautiful shavings, but the best I can get is fine dust. Maybe I should convert to using tung oil on everything I build. - lol

   Edited 12/12/2008 7:30 pm by Dave45

5. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 12, 2008 03:46pm | #6

   Gary Rogowski at Rogowski's place..

   I for one love him.. OK, So I like him alot...  Man to man thing I guess?

   Never met him except in his videos and writing on subjects. Seems like a better than just a OK kind of man. A good thing in my mind..

   Sort of like Mel, Lataxe, Bob @ Kidderville Acres and such..

   And many other faceless posters here on Knots.. I even love Forestgirl that gets on my case on occasion!

   ... who find themselves consistently frustrated with a particular woodworking tool or technique....

   Mine is Carving! I cannot do it well! I gave up trying.. Maybe I'll get a CarveWright in my next life~

   I cannot or want to travel to anyplace.. I babysit during the day.. But sounds like fun!

   I was on aeroplanes all my working life.. When I was retired as in ...downsized.. I told myself I will NEVER go on a aeroplane again! Period.. Except for an Emergency.. Yes.. I also fit some profile that USA Customs ALWAYS stopped me and gave me a hard time??

   Hell, I was just working. I'm no threat unless you piss me off ALOT. USA Customs came close a few times! For something I never was!

    

    

    

6. 
   pzaxtl | Dec 14, 2008 08:39am | #10

   For a project here at the magazine, we are hoping to hear from readers who find themselves consistently frustrated with a particular woodworking tool or technique. Could be sharpening, could be getting good results from your jointer or handplanes, could be cutting tight miters or applying a finish

   I vote all the above :-)

7. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 14, 2008 08:44am | #11

   For a project here at the magazine, we are hoping to hear from readers who find themselves consistently frustrated with a particular woodworking tool or technique.

   I would think my worster tool is me! My tools have no brains.. I do.. I just never learned to use it well!

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Dec 14, 2008 01:46pm | #12

   Will,

   worster

   Huh, I thought you were from IL not MA!?

   :-)

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   Ron01960 | Dec 14, 2008 07:34pm | #13

   Bob, that's more a localized joke, but I hear ya! I live in Peabody or as we local say it, pea-budy.Will, If you must know, US Customs saw your carvings, and Will, that's why you were hassled.I got hassled in Alaska in 1972, turns out a customs agent wanted some reason to acquire my Lincoln canoe.enjoyRon in Peabody

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Dec 15, 2008 04:39am | #14

   Ron, but do ya say it real fast, almost like one syllable.  When I left the Great North Woods the first place I lived as Meffud (Medford, MA for those not familiar with the MA lingo).  Then there's Chemsfud (Chelmsford).

   Man when I first got there I could hardly unnerstan anthin they said!

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   nboucher | Dec 15, 2008 07:56pm | #17

   Don't forget Quinzy.

8. 
   bob_barnett | Dec 15, 2008 02:59pm | #15

   Gluing joints.  How can you get a tight joint with “nice” squeeze out and not have a nasty glue line.  I have tried cutting the glue with a chisel, taping the joints, washing with water, staining before glue up, sanding after glue up, along with a couple of other million techniques.   And the pesky line is still there.    

   Bob

1. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 15, 2008 06:49pm | #16

   And the pesky line is still there.

   I have no idea..

   However, I would ask, are you really seeing 'glue' or just the mismatched grain between the 'sticks' ?? Our eyes 'fool' us all the time for whatever reason our DNA has made us do or be.

   I for one say there is no such thing as an invisible glue line!

   But I have been wrong before. I hear you though...

   And the pesky line is still there.. Says about all there is to say if you look hard enough.

   Maybe another solution is to ask somebody else.. 'What do you see when looking at this whatever'..  Maybe another woodworker may say the glue line.

    

1. 
   Lataxe | Dec 15, 2008 08:16pm | #18

   Will G,

   Most of my gluelines disappear if the grain is a good match.  Some of the necessary attributes of the join are that:

   * the edges of the joined planks must be sharp as well as square - e.g not the slightest roundover from sanding.

   * the faces to be jointed must be truly flat or ever-so-slightly concave (eg from a cambered plane blade in one's jointer plane) as any bump or irregularity will tend to force a gap either side of the bump.  Lots of bumps can even cause the whole join to have slight gap.

   If these attributes are not achieved the glue line will show even when the grain is a very good match.

   It is good practice to make a small gap (biggest in the middle, zero at the ends) between the plank edges to be joined.  This really does seem to prevent opening of the joints at the ends when there is a bit of wood-shrinkage due to humidity changes.

   One other thing is the dreaded glue-ooze.  This is when the glue is long-dried and any squeeze-out taken off but (often months later) a thin, hard "raise" of glue can be felt along the joins. If it is only "feelable" and not easily seen, I just leave them.  Otherwise you have to scrape or sand them off then refinish. And there seems to be no guarantee that another tiny, ooze of the glue will not subsequently occur.

   Lataxe

2. 
   bob_barnett | Dec 16, 2008 05:31am | #19

   I have better luck using epoxy with a little wood flower.  It seems to hide the lines better. 

   Bob

2. 
   sscott | Dec 16, 2008 09:27pm | #22

   Bob,

   Thanks very much for your post. I'm interested in learning more. For instance, what type of joinery gives you the biggest glue-up problems? Have you tried a variety of clamping techniques, etc?

   If you have a chance to respond via post or e-mail, I'd sure appreciate it. you can reach me offline at [email protected].

   Thanks again!

    

   Steve S.

1. 
   dougmeyer | Dec 16, 2008 09:32pm | #24

   I will contact you as soon as I can but it will have to wait until Wed evening. (I can not access a mail program at work, and I will be at meetings until late tonight)

   Doug M

1. 
   sscott | Dec 16, 2008 09:36pm | #25

   Doug - Many thanks! I look forward to hearing from you.

    

   Steve S.

9. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Dec 16, 2008 06:20am | #20

   Steve,

   I'd have to put finishing at the top of the list for me.  Right next to it would be the prep work required. I'm not saying that there aren't other areas in woodworking that I don't need help with but finishing is definitely THE most difficult of them all.

   I hear there's a really talented female French polisher over in Paris that's...........

   Regards,

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   sscott | Dec 16, 2008 09:30pm | #23

   Bob,

   Well, I'm not sure we have the budget for a trip to Paris (unless you mean Paris, TX...?), but I'm grateful for your post. Is there a particular type of finish that gives you the most trouble? And what sort of results are you getting that you find disappointing?

   As I've mentioned a couple of times to other posters, please feel free to respond via post or e-mail at [email protected]. I'm eager to learn more.

   Thanks again!

   Steve S.

10. 
    KiddervilleAcres | Dec 30, 2008 02:27pm | #26

    Hi Steve,

    I know this is late but.... I thought of all kinds of excuses including the alligators up to my armpits, etc. but alas I cannot tell a lie.

    You asked about my finishing problems:

    Randall O'Donnell left an impression on me in his artidle in FWW #117 when he said, "Wood like that is a gift of nature, and it deserves the best showcase I can provide". I know he wasn't referring to the finish but that comment has always been in the back of my mind whenever I make something. It could be a fixture for the woodshop or a Queen Anne piece for the home.

    I guess if I were to summarize how I feel about it I would have to say, "My finishes always look like they're another step from what they might be". The whole process from preparing the wood to the application of the finish challenges me. When I make something I generally have no idea what finish I will apply to it.

    If I were asked what finish process I would dearly like to master it would have to be French Polishing. That's a pretty tall order but I relish a challenge.

    Another area where I always fail is patching, repairing, hiding or disquising mistakes, call it what you want. My attempts seem to shout, hey look at me man did I screw up, instead of blending into the fabric of the wood.

    The only preconceived notion that I think I may have is that I don't give the finish process its pecking order in the grand scheme. It seems like after all the work done up to this point I want it done!

    In summary, if the finish process is the frosting on the cake, mine has a few lumps in it.

    Regards,

    Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!