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Working With New Wood Species? – Viewer Question
I had a co-worker give me some olive wood recently. I was wondering if you have ever worked with this wood and if so any suggestions?
Check it out!Antique Washstand Restoration – Viewer Question
I am currently repairing an old family washstand for a friend of mine and I would appreciate your input on what kind of finish to put on it that would not diminish it’s value or character.
Check it out!Pre-Finish Strategy? – Viewer Question
Should I pre-finish the pieces when I have them cut to the final sizes but before routing the rebates and dadoes or rout the rebates and dadoes and then do the pre-finishing?
Check it out!Antique Mahogany Finish – Viewer Question
The best way to achieve that deep rich mahogany finish.
Check it out!Sanding Too Much? – Viewer Question
This question comes from Michael who asks:
“When sanding, I usually sand down to 400 grit. I saw one of your videos where you sand to 180 grit. Am I sanding too much?”
And my response:
Hey Michael. In my opinion, yes. I believe that after 150-180 grit (on most woods), we have a case [...]
Identifying Wood Species?
This question comes from Andrew who asks:
“Love your videos, they have given me some great ideas. My question is, what resource is available to learn about different wood species? I see on various shows someone will look at a piece of wood, and instantly identify the species. I would like to learn how do that.”
And [...]
Brass Dowel Rods – Viewer Question
Our question this time comes from Joel. He writes:
Garret Hack’s article on breadboard ends from issue #110 of Fine Woodworking is guiding my construction of a cedar vanity top with oak ends. The drawboring is next in my process and I’m thinking of using brass rod. Should I be mindful of any special considerations [...]
Do I Need A Special Blade? – Viewer Question
This viewer question comes from Jed who asks:
“I am trying to make a cutting board with 2 different species of wood. The problem is, when I cut the strips (with the grain) I get chips and the different strips don’t match up perfectly. Do I need a special table saw blade to do this? I [...]
Cross-Grain Issue – Viewer Question/Project
This entry is both a Viewer Question and a Viewer Project. Several month’s ago, Tim emailed me with his question, and just this week he emailed me the results of his hard work. Check it out.
So I’m joining a vertical piece to a horizontal piece. I was originally thinking about using a [...]
Is a Respirator Always Required With Lacquer? – Viewer Question
Is something wrong with the lacquer I bought since it doesn’t have the offensive fumes and odor that I have heard so much about?
Check it out!Is Grain Filling Necessary? – Viewer Question
This viewer question comes from Chip who asks:
“In your finish video, you show how to fill the pores on an open grain wood like oak. Is this a required step, or is it an aesthetic decision? In other words, what happens if I don’t fill the pores?”
And my reply was:
Grain filling oak is both aesthetic [...]
When to Pre-Finish – Viewer Question
Brandon wrote in and asked:
Thanks for doing everything you do. One quick question if you have some time. I’m wondering how much of a project you assemble prior to beginning to apply finish? I have seen it done different ways. Some assemble after finishing and some finish after assembly. I would appreciate any advice you [...]
Bubbles in my Finish? Viewer Question
This week’s question comes from Zac who asks; “I am sealing a door I stained and I keep getting these little bitty air bubbles. I can sand them off, but they keep coming back. What do I do?”
And my response was: “Hey Zac. Bubbles can come from a few different sources. [...]
Rabbet Joint Strong Enough? – Viewer Question
How much strength I would be losing by going with just the rabbet joint?
Check it out!Wood Movement on a Chess Board? – Viewer Question
This Viewer Question comes from Reggie who writes:
“Marc, first thanks for the wonderful website!!! Second, I am relatively new to woodworking and have a question about wood movement on a chess board I am building for my son. My choice of woods are 3/4″ hard maple with a very little curl, and [...]
Filling Cracks When Turning? – Viewer Question
This week’s question comes from Skip who asks:
“I have some beautifully figured fruit wood (apricot) that I want to turn. There are a couple of cracks/checks in the piece. What should I use to fill the checks that will both look the same as the piece and not finish differently if I use oil? [...]
Check it out!Natural Looking Finish? – Viewer Question
This week’s question comes from Eric who asks:
“I’ve got a finishing question….I bet you get tired of hearing that! I have your Go-To Finish DVD and it is definitely top-notch…excellent work. I have started using the Arm-R-Seal and I agree that it is a great product. My question stems from the need for protection on [...]
Wipe or Blow Dust Off? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Steve who asks:
“I just finished watching the refinishing blog and my only question is I have been wiping my pieces down with mineral spirits prior to applying my finish, I noted that you just blow your pieces off. My question is, am I gaining anything by wiping my pieces verses [...]
Does Cold Affect Glues and Finishes? – Viewer Question
This week’s question comes from Johnathan who asks:
It is getting really cold these days. I am worried about my glues and finishes that are stored in my shop. Do I have to throw away finishes and glues that have been in been in temperatures below manufacturer’s recommended temperatures or can I still use them later? [...]
Gun Case Design – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Tom, who writes:
I am planning a display case for a shotgun (grandfather’s) and a putter (dad’s), and perhaps a smaller case for two pocket watches (grandfathers’). I was thinking simple boxes at first, then I started considering adding some detail that could represent my contribution when I give them [...]
Is My Urethane Bad? – Question of the Week
This week’s question is from Terri who asks: “I make signs out of wood and last Spring (2008), I purchased a gallon of Helmsman Spar Urethane since I go through quite a bit of it (and absolutely love it). I had used a little more than a 1/4 of the gallon then stored [...]
Check it out!Using Spray Gun For Small Projects? – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Pierre who asks: “In a recent video, you spray paint your clock. This is something I would like to get into. I have everything to do it, but, I wonder…is it worth all the fuss of setting up and cleaning for just three small coats? What’s your procedure?”
And [...]
Veneering Over Solid Wood – Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Martin. Let’s see what he has to say:
“I have a few boards of tiger maple and would like it to use it as veneer. I plan on building a chest of drawers in maple. I want to use solid wood for my veneer substrate for the top and drawer [...]
The Formula for Success? – Viewer Question
This week’s question comes from SGT Grigsby, a Serviceman in Italy who asks: “I am exiting the Military in a couple of weeks and on to Furniture-making school (Thank you GI Bill), My questions are: when you decided to start your own business, what was your formula for self success? How did you balance [...]
Check it out!Sander or Scraper? – Viewer Question
This week’s question comes from Jeff who asks: “Marc, generally speaking, when would you advocate using a sander, and when a scraper to finish a surface?”
And this was my response: “Well to put it bluntly, I never use a scraper for final finish preparation. My scrapers are tuned so that they take [...]
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