Recent content by Banjopicker

There are probably more than a few contenders for the "most useless", but this morning I'm inspired to nominate the Osmo Stirring Stick. A bargain at around £2.00, with some suppliers offering them as low as £1.20 with free postage. This is, please note, a GENUINE "Osmo" (TM) stirring...

That explanation sounds right... Yes, there are large flat surfaces. And no, the environment isn't in the slightest bit clean - it's my old workshop/garage out the back, with a nice 6 inch gap all round between the top of the walls and the leaky roof. This ventilation, however, isn't...

No to the first question.... Not a tack cloth, but I did go over it with a hoover, and then rub it down with a cloth, slightly dampened with white spirit. After the first coat, I gave it a very light sanding with something like 320 grit. I think this would count more as denibbing the HWO...

At the end of my first real project, and the hardwax oil is on. Trouble is that the surface (although it looks great), is not nearly as smooth as it was before the oil. Is this normal ? I doubt that I've put too much on, as I wiped off all the excess. First coat was very slightly diluted...

Many thanks guys. Will pass on the bearers. And I think I've found a blacksmith (although they are pricey!) Sorry, by the way, for the lateness of my thanks..... minor family crisis has meant I haven't been able to visit the board for a couple of weeks.

Nearing the end of my first real project - a pair of ash toy chests. As they have raised panels on the front and sides, I had put a light coat of clear hardwax oil on the panels (only), so that any shrinkage doesn't show at the edges. It was diluted slightly with white spirit. This was a...

Nearing the end of my first real project – a pair of toy chests for my boys, hopefully finished in time for Christmas. They’re the ones in the Stanley Book of Woodwork, if anyone knows that book. See photo from the book. Does anyone know where I can buy hinges like, or similar to, this...

I'm a beginner (complete beginner!) making a couple of toy chests for my young sons. They're the ones in the Stanley Book of Woodwork, if anyone is familiar with that book, and I'm using some very nice ash. Raised panels at the front and sides, and a plywood panel for the back. The ply...

Cascamite is duly on order. Thanks guys! It also has the advantage of being water based, so it will do for biscuit joints when I come to do the lid and the mitre joints on the plinth. (I'll be in right nervous tizzy when I come to do that in a couple of weeks time, so expect more pleas...

Wow guys ! As some of you noticed, that was my first post. You’re a fine friendly lot round here – thanks for making me feel welcome ! Lesson Number One – the only reason my tenons got loose was because I assembled them and took them apart too many times, sometimes for little reason other...

I'm feeling a bit out of my depth here, being a complete beginner who rashly decided to make a pair of toy chests for my sons. They're the ones in the Stanley Book of Woodwork, if anyone has that book, with three raised panels on the front and one at each end. About 3 ft by 1.5 ft, with a...