Dream On
When Rob asked you to describe your lottery-fueled dream shop, many of you stepped up to the plate with some surprising configurations. Here are just a few. – Editor
“I think I would like to have a barbershop in the front of my dream shop: a place for anyone to come and sit down and get his or her hair cut and watch skilled craftsmen work their magic with wood through a huge plate glass window. The barbershop would be filled with handmade history and beauty with all of it in kind of an old-fashioned setting, except the tools, of course.” – Joel Humiston
This writer said he was pretty happy with his shop as is, but after reading his dream list, we’re not so sure we believe him. – Editor
“I’m pretty happy with the shop I have now. However, if I could win a lottery I’d want a much larger space with double doors, a bathroom, spray foam-insulated wood-paneled walls reminiscent of an Irish pub, exterior cedar shake siding, canister lights, cork flooring with radiant heat, lots of windows, under-floor dust collection hoses and separate rooms for finishing, wood storage and a large dust collector.” – Sean Kennedy
“Three houses: two for my sons and one for the LOML and me, with mine on a lot big enough for a 40 by 60 shop.” – Rich Flynn
“I’d put a large new wing on our house and extend the basement under it to provide a rectangular or square space at least 1,000 feet square, painted white, with adequate lighting, plenty of power outlets, a waterproof resilient floor, a large freight elevator, and a good sized lumber storage room. It would be properly ventilated, have dust collection, an intercom to the kitchen and a library room with filing cabinets, bookshelves and a computer.” – Phil Gunyon
Charles had an interesting warning about wishing for things like TVs. – Editor
“I built a brand-new shop in 2003. The worst thing I put in it was a TV. I go out to do some work and just turn on the TV for noise, then end up sitting down. The next thing I know, a cat is in my lap and I either watch TV or take a nap. Do not put a TV in your shop.” – Charles Buster
Finally, we will share the wise words of this gent, who wished for the most valuable addition of all. – Editor
“My dream woodworking shop would have, first and foremost, more time. After that, more space, more wood and upgrade every tool, but I would settle for just more time.” – Vince Brytus
Wouldn’t we all. – Editor
Yawl Ketch Any Mistakes?
After we ran an all-too-abbreviated explanation of the difference between a ketch and a yawl, this knowledgeable reader offered some further refinement to the definition. – Editor
“My understanding is that the ketch is distinguished from the yawl by its position relative to the helm or rudder post. On a ketch, the mizzen mast is positioned forward of the helm or rudder post, and in the case of a yawl, positioned aft of same. Thanks for another great interview.” – Terry Nelson
You piqued our curiosity, so we did a little research and sure enough, you are right on target. In a forum on the Sailnet web site, we found the following. “A yawl is a rig with two masts where the after mast, the mast that is further aft or further back in the boat, is aft of the rudder. A ketch is a rig with two masts where the after mast is forward of the rudder.” We also heard from a former student now working in the field who agreed with Pete’s assessment of the school’s character. – Editor
“Nice job on the story about the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. As a graduate of the school and former classmate and good friend of Pete Leenhouts, I can attest to the clear picture he helped you create in your article.” – Pete Thompson, Blue Crescent Wooden Boats
Radial Arm Saw
A reader complaining his inherited 1958 DeWalt RAS bogged down elicited these suggestions. – Editor
“I inherited a nice one from about that era. It was very weak and prone to thermal overload if stalled because, although the factory tagged and corded the motor for 115V, the internal jumpers were set for 220. Maybe yours has a similar problem.” – Richard Stein
“There is also the possibility of not enough voltage to run the saw under load. He should check the circuit voltage and amperage under load and compare it to the nameplate. He could have it plugged into an overloaded circuit or one that has the wrong wire size for the length of run.” – Eric L. Mason
Literary Saw
A web discussion encouraging us to use joinery we’ve not yet perfected induced Brian Leavy to write in suggesting this quote. – Editor
“The maxim ‘Nothing avails but perfection’ may be spelled Paralysis.” – Winston Churchill
Cottonwood Continued
A request in an earlier issue asking how to use cottonwood continues to elicit contributions. – Editor
“I run a portable mill in British Columbia, Canada and one of the biggest uses for cottonwood up here is for horse and cow stalls. It is impervious to urine from the animals and stands up to their hooves.” – Ken Curry
Plywood Ratings
A question about the definition of plywood types, such as CDX, inspired this former retailer to write. – Editor
“I’ve been out of the home center retail business for a few years now, but I recall that CDX grade plywood is not certified for exposed exterior use. Carol correctly points out that the glue is exterior grade, but the D grade side is not rated for exterior use and therefore must be applied so as to never be exposed to weather. This is why it cannot be used as roof sheathing on overhangs. Plywood rated for exposed exterior use will be at least CCX or better. We sold a product known to us as ‘CCX PTS,’ meaning the knotholes were plugged and touch sanded. The employees at a local lumber company have never heard of this grade of plywood.” – Richard E. Rollison
Typo Corner
If nothing else, the typo corner proves that we are all in the same boat when it comes to printing errors. As is often the case, this one comes from our own pages. It appeared in issue 199. – Editor
“I painted the dots with some liquid gold leave paint.”
We usually make a comment, but we’ll leaf this one alone. – Editor
