Cleaning Stones
An online thread on cleaning sharpening stones induced this reader to add his method. – Editor
“I use WD-40® to clean my oil stones. It probably acts like very thin kerosene, but you don’t have to go out and buy kerosene, and it is thinner. In fact, think of any oil-based substance you would like to remove from something, and WD-40® will probably do it. Pretty handy stuff. By the way, I make gunstocks, and really enjoy the ‘Today’s Woodworker’ section. Lots of neat carving done to make some of the things there.” – Tom Poe
Painting Tile
“I just wanted to add a comment in regards to the question ‘Is there a way to paint ceramic kitchen floor tiles rather than replace them?’ Painted floors generally don’t hold up very well, but don’t forget about the paint designed for garage floors. It comes in a variety of colors, can have colored flecks added for variety, and is an epoxy-based material, making it very tough.” –Darryl Kuhrt
Digital Print
As you probably noticed, we introduced our first digital issue of the print version of Woodworker’s Journal late last month. This impressed reader wondered what else we have up our sleeves. – Editor
“Wow! I just previewed the online version of the Journal, and it is great! I had just finished reading my print version and had a couple of things bookmarked to go online to check out, and did both from the preview. That is really a slick innovation. First the eZine, then the Premium Content, and now a complete online version of the Journal. What are you guys going to come up with next?” – Bob Cole
On the Links
We’re rather glad this reader posed this particular question, for it gives us a chance to point out one of the handy characteristics of the eZine. – Editor
“Who sells The Little Ripper you show a picture of on this week’s Industry Interview page?” – Gary Kammerer
The company featured in the article, Stockroom Supply, sells it. There is a link to their web site, www.stockroomsupply.com, in the fifth paragraph of the article. One of the great things about an online magazine is that we can embed links in an article. Those links, which appear in blue and underlined, will take you directly to the relevant website when you click on them. – Editor
Cambial Profiling
“I just read your profile of Brian Newell and found it very interesting. It is fascinating to hear the background that creates these people and how they developed the skills they have.” – Craig Thibodeau
We agree wholeheartedly. That’s precisely why the Today’s Woodworker segment is a regular feature of the eZine. Incidentally, if that letter writer’s name looks familiar, it’s because we profiled him in issue 201. – Editor
Drum vs. Drum
“The V Drum sander article was interesting and informational, but I would hasten to point out that RJR Studios has offered such a sander for several years now. I believe they call it the ‘SandFlee,’ or something along those lines.” – LW Hutson
We asked Paul Moore, the owner and inventor of the V Drum, to respond. Here’s his explanation. – Editor
“There are two major differences between the V Drum and the SAND-FLEE®. The first has to do with the high speed of our drum. We gear the motor up so that the drum spins at 2,050 rpm. That speed creates centrifugal force that lifts the paper slightly off the surface of the drum, engaging the hook and loop. The SAND-FLEE® drum spins at 1,750, and its paper stays tight to the drum. Hence, with the SAND-FLEE®, the paper is pressed between the drum and the wood, but on the V Drum, the paper sands while floating on a cushioning layer of air. The other big difference is that instead of a metal drum, as on most drum sanders, the V Drum has a polycarbonate drum that virtually eliminates the static that makes sanding dust cling to the paper and float in the air.” – Paul Moore
Define “Free”
This writer took umbrage with both our free plans, and the one that goes with the premium edition. – Editor
“Quit wasting space with the Free Plans entries. Simply take them out. You have to be kidding me with that Early American Step Table. What average home would want it? Your greed is showing when you have the additional projects listed, which are more appealing, but only for a fee. I used to subscribe to the Family Handyman. In the back of each issue they would have a one page simple solution for common problems around the house. They were practical, useful, and free.” – Ed Fulbright
We hate to split hairs, Ed, but if you were paying for the Family Handyman subscription, then what was in the back of the magazine was not free. The basic eZine, on the other hand, is free. As for the free plans, we’re sorry if you didn’t like our choices, but not everyone agrees with you about their value. Read on. – Editor
“Thanks for this edition and the American Step Table plans, which I hope that I will find time to make. I don’t do a lot of woodworking now but it is nice to have tools and plans when you do feel like doing some.” – John Payne
Typo Corner
Even one swapped letter can change description to commentary. – Editor
“Some of the loser panels have blush on them.”
Blush would certainly turn lower panels into loser panels in our estimation. – Editor
