Ron Altier

Thanks, I can now see all that you have described that would be more desirable and make much better furniture.

I saw an article that referred to rift sawn wood. I had no idea what that was, so I looked it up. I can see the advantage of quarter sawn, but rift sawn seems to have more waste. What am I missing that would make you choose rift sawn over quarter sawn?

I am pretty sure it isn't domestic. I bought this wood in Ohio at a huge Amish lumber company. They had a huge inventory of all kinds of woods. When I packed to move to CO, this piece got somehow lost. It could easily be one that Gerald described. Whatever it is.......it sure don't turn well.

No, it did not smell like Walnut. Sure didn't turn like it either, very hard.

I found an old piece of wood (at least 15 years) that I thought was walnut. It wasn't. It had a much deeper color and when I started turning it, I discovered it was VERY brittle. It kept tearing out as it got smaller. If you look below the turned piece you'll see what is left of the piece. I used my sharpest tools and tried different speeds, didn't help. I quit as you see it, may not use it. Maybe it is Coco Bolo or some other exotic. That brings up a question. Are there woods that don't turn well?

My weekend agenda was suddenly changed, at least part of it. I was up early to get some groceries before the crowds get there. As I left the market, a car looked like it was going to run the stop sign and I swerved slightly to the right. An unseen sharp curb was in the way and it hit it enough to ruin my tire. I drove it home that way, bout half mile, the tire was ruined anyway. I got my spare out from the storage area of my 98 F150. Its the first time the tire has been taken down in 22 years. Of course, no air in it. So it looks like tomorrow I'll go have a new tire put on, maybe I shou

I believe I'm out of resin and I don't think I'll get any more. It not only creates a huge mess, it gets into my chuck and messes up the movement. It can be expensive and in most cases wood is cheaper.

The IRS suspected a fishing boat owner wasn't paying proper wages to his Deckhand and sent an agent to investigate him. IRS AUDITOR: “I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them". Boat Owner: “Well, there's Clarence, my deckhand, he's been with me for 3 years. I pay him $1,000 a week plus free room and board. Then there's the mentally challenged guy. He works about 18 hours every day and does about 90% of the work around here. He makes about $10 per week, pays his own room and board, and I buy him a bottle of Bacardi rum and a dozen Budweisers

I saw the title and just had to watch it. It came out beautiful......to a woodworker. Don't think my wife would care much for it.

I know way back when, most of our families had porch swings. Nearly all were made by hand, I've made a few too. As I was preparing mine for winter, some memories came back of years past. I'm sure that we all have memories of the time the swing chain broke. My family sure did and I still snicker when I think about that time so long ago. No one got hurt, but someone laughed so hard she peed herself. 1 Comment Like Comment Share

I'm on my third set of wall shelves and I'm finding stuff I forgot I had. Other things I'm scratching my head and thinking "Why in the world did I save that?" The day after I toss it, I'll need it.

As the isolation gets more serious and we stay at home away from crowds, I am finding that I am doing those things that I always said "I'll get around to it someday" I am using that wood that I had put away for a project I'll do some day. I also am reorganizing those shelves, cabinets and tool storage areas that I'd do "someday" The wrenches and other tools........yep them too. I seldom use them so they are just laying near the area where they were stored in my tool box. When we have warm, sunny days I do small jobs in the yard that I'd get to next Spring. If I run out of things to do,

I used a slide rule adapted for artillery fire calculations in Viet Nam. A few years ago I talked to a modern artillery soldier. He said they still must learn to use those old slide rules as a backup to the modern electronic devices.

Very nice, as always, I always admire you work.