I've also learned not to wear a sweatshirt with pockets while doing this... unless, ya know... I'm wanting to collect saw dust. Yesterday I learned not to wear fleece either and... well... naked is out of the question (I'm sure the neighbors are grateful for that fact)

tyvek jump suit/overalls if you really need to stay clean..

1 hour ago, MaDeuce said:

I've also learned not to wear a sweatshirt with pockets while doing this.

Woodworking lesson #27654  DO NOT WEAR anything with pockets while turning stuff on the lathe.  

 

1 hour ago, MaDeuce said:

naked is out of the question (I'm sure the neighbors are grateful for that fact)

12 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Woodworking lesson #27654  DO NOT WEAR anything with pockets while turning stuff on the lathe.  

or cuffs...

On another forum long ago in a place far away, I learned there are several tips for cleaning sawblades.  If it is NOT a carbide tip, you can soak the blade in a couple inches of straight ammonia.  That sucker will clean up like a new one and may get by without sharpening for a couple times.  I always take out the blade, wash with soap and water and then apply a coat of paste wax.  It is amazing how smoothly they cut.  

If it is carbide tip, you may dilute the ammonia by about 1/2.  Again, wash off the residue with soap and water and apply the wax.  This works for any sawblade.  There are other cleaners that you can purchase at a woodworking shop.  You might check with a cabinet shop to see how they clean their blades.  And, where they get their solution.  Allow the blades to soak about 8 hours, and if you still need to clean, use a brass (not brass plated) brush or a green scrubber.  That will remove the tree resin which if you work with evergreens (pines, cedar, firs, etc.) there will be an excessive amount of resin deposited on the blade.  This also coats the teeth which will cause the blade not to cut and burn your wood.  I hope this will help.  

 

I would also like to say that all the above information is worth its weight in gold.  Excellent advice and information.

no oven cleaner or Simple Green either...

UGH! So I got both flags put together, used the grinder, sanded, tried to use the torch on one.... and failed. The tape they said to use in the video... yea... no. So, I had to choose between barely getting any coloring from the torch or setting the tape on fire. I kinda went with both LOL Still wasn't dark enough for me... so I tried to stain over it. You'd think I'd have realized that a stain called "red cherry"... would.... umm... turn out red. (Yea, I wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed today). So... I'm hoping if I go back over what are supposed to be the white stripes with a lot of sanding that I can still recover it. The other flag I've simply used acrylic paint. Once I get the stars done on it, I'll post pictures. 

 

I need a drink...but that would require getting out from under my warm blankets....

2 hours ago, MaDeuce said:

so I tried to stain over it. You'd think I'd have realized that a stain called "red cherry"... would.... umm... turn out red.

To make stripes I found this method works well.  Others with more experience may offer something else.  I tape everything except what shall remain clear, then do a coat of polyurethane on the clear parts.  Left cure and remove tape.  Now I tape the clear side and then stain the other.  Let the stain cure well a few days then remove tape and lightly sand.  The stain doesn't penetrate the poly and you have red and clear.  Try on a test piece.  Sorry no pictures of my experiments.

 I'll definitely try that! For this one, I think I'm just going to be stuck sanding what's supposed to be white and painting the union/stars instead of it being subdued. 

 

If'n you have somebody video you slapping the ugly off them so I can put it on "Americas funniest videos" I'll bail you out....    just sayin....

4 hours ago, DRAGON1 said:

If'n you have somebody video you slapping the ugly off them so I can put it on "Americas funniest videos" I'll bail you out....    just sayin....

SNORK!!!

6 hours ago, DRAGON1 said:

If'n you have somebody video you slapping the ugly off them so I can put it on "Americas funniest videos" I'll bail you out....    just sayin....

Deal!!! lol