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RalphBarker

NM, US
member




Recent comments


Re: A Safer Way to Cut Plywood

How about a screw-in leg to support the end of that outrigger fence?

Re: UPDATE: Book Giveaway: 500 Chairs and 500 Tables

The only thing better than a good book is a free good book. ;-)

Re: Make a Bed in 60 Seconds

Yeah, those sheets looked pretty loose. Not likely to pass the bouncing-quarter inspection. ;-)

Re: Norm Abram at Old Sturbridge Village

Good thinking, Ms. Roman. Norm deserves the pat on the plaid.

Re: UPDATE: Book Giveaway: Modern Cabinet Work by Percy A. Wells and John Hooper

I could definitely use this book. The furniture I carved from the sandstone in my cave is starting to wear. Plus, the "sofa" is really cold in the winter. ;-)

Re: New Yankee Workshop Series Ends

Even though I don't consider myself a "Normite", this is sad news. I wonder what prompted the decision to discontinue the show?

Re: Second-Hand Tools

I hope your refurb works out OK, Patrick.

One possible lesson in the experience is to take a magnifier along on yard-sale adventures, allowing closer scrutiny of higher-priced items. ;-)

Re: The Importance of Hand Skills in Education

I completely agree with the idea that teaching hand skills is relevant, even in a digital age. A parallel exists in teaching analog photography basics to budding photographers who have only experienced the use of digital cameras. Both lead to better understanding and a more well-rounded mind.

Teaching hand skills, of course, goes back thousands of years - back to the time that learning flint napping, for example, was essential to bring home dinner. Back then, outsourcing the task to manual craftspersons in China or India wasn't possible.

Re: UPDATE: Book Giveaway: New Masters of the Wooden Box by Oscar P. Fitzgerald

This might help me to think inside the box.

Re: UPDATE: Book Giveaway: Essential Guide to the Steel Square by Ken Horner

I've always wanted to get my angles right. ;-)

Re: UPDATE: Book Giveaway: Shop Drawings for Greene & Greene Furniture by Robert W. Lang

To paraphrase the frog, "It's not easy being Greene."

Re: Working with reclaimed lumber, part 3

No sliding mini-dovetails on the dividers? ;-)

Re: UPDATE: Book Giveaway: American Furniture 2003, Edited by Luke Beckerdite

Please allow me to cut your chances in half, Jake. ;-)

Re: Special Krenov focus in FWW is a strange coincidence

Life has a nasty habit of ending, usually well before we'd like it to do so. Worse, there are no exemptions for those, like Krenov and Maloof, whom we'd like to have around forever. But, they live on in the on-going inspiration they provide. Rest in peace, Mr. Krenov, and Mr. Maloof, as well.

Re: What's your favorite hand or power tool?

I agree that it's tough to choose a favorite tool. But, after some consideration, I've settled on my brain, even though it's probably the least-capable tool in the shop.

Re: My Mother's Urn

Excellent work, and a distinctive design.

Re: Broken power tool: Junk it or fix it?

I haul out the spare, continue to work, and then repair the broken one later. Doesn't everyone buy two of everything, plus spare parts? ;-)

Seriously, for me, the repair/replace question is one of economics vs. features. If the repair is cheap, it has a chance . . . unless the features of a new version are too attractive to pass up.

Re: UPDATE: Fine Woodworking Classic Covers: The Game

Fun game, but is there a link that shows all of the differences after one has tried to spot them?

Re: Toothpick art may float your boat, but is it woodworking?

Do the toothpicks have T&G joints routed along each edge? Or, did he use nano-biscuits? ;-)

Re: Tool Time in Vegas: AWFS 2009 Roundup

re: Laguna's new LT14 SUV Bandsaw

"SUV" - does that mean it consumes more amps than one would expect? ;-)

Re: Poll: The Next FWW Tool Test

I'm interested in mortisers, but limiting the comparison to benchtop models is much less interesting. I'm more curious about whether floor models are worth the added expense. In other words, my suggestion is to consider the real buying decisions people make when determining the scope of a tool review.

Re: UPDATE: Book Giveaway: Choosing & Using Hand Tools

Does it cover the flint and copper tools I'm still using? ;-)

Re: Week One: Building an Arts and Crafts Table

Nice to put some faces to names in the masthead. Thanks, everyone.

Re: UPDATE: Book Giveaway: The New Complete Guide to the Band Saw

One might quibble about whether the band saw is the *most* important tool in the shop, but it's certainly among the top contenders in my shop. Now, to go carve one of those big "champion" belts out of wood (oval cut on the bandsaw, of course), and hire a couple of "round girls". ;-)

Re: Make this with your kids for Mother's Day

It's great to get the kids involved in woodworking, and this is a simple-enough project to ensure their success. Others have commented on safety issues.

The design of the tote, however, might prompt additional gifts of a gym membership and steel-toed boots. The sides of the tote are heavier than they need to be, requiring Mom to pump more wood than she needs to, and the handle would be better placed inside a hole drilled in the end panels. As-is, supporting the weight of the tote and contents depends on the fasteners in the end grain of the end panels.