Q & A
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What’s a Good Non-degrading Finish?
I have an exterior handrail made of Ipe (I couldn’t afford to make the rest of the balcony in Ipe). Do you have any recommendations for re-finishing especially with something that will last a season or two?
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An Elixir for Checking and Splitting
Some of my slabs are beginning to check and split. I’ve heard poly-ethyl glycol is a liquid that is supposed to stop this. Do you know anything about this or where I can find it?
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Correct Bench Height
I wonder if the 35-1/2″ height is something of an historical quantity? I am 5′ 11″ and a 38″ floor to bench-top bench would seem to work well.
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An Issue with Cupping
I made a cutout in the shape of the state of Ohio from a piece of 1/4″ walnut. The grain runs from top to bottom and that is where it cups.
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Pine Difficult to Stain?
Pine’s really no problem when you’ve got Michael Dresdner giving you finishing advice. Our finishing expert answers a reader’s touch question.
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Dealing with a Tight Router Bit
Thank you for the info about ‘Tightening a Loose Chuck’. I have a problem with getting a router bit out of a tight chuck I have tried everything I can think of.
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Best Finish for Alder?
I have read both to pre-treat alder because it is soft and will take the stain unevenly, and that alder is hard and will stain well. What is the real situation?
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Is a Shaper a Basic Shop Tool?
Following up on your answers to the question of adding a jointer to the shop, would a shaper be more useful for the new woodworker?
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Righty with a Lefty Circular Saw
Do you think this is actually a safety hazard, and that I should just go back and get it and learn to deal with it? Or, is kickback a reality that might cause injury?
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Tightening a Loose Chuck
My faithful old drill press has gotten into the bad habit of losing its chuck at the most inopportune moments. What is to be done to ensure it stays on its seat?
