Recent content by FrenchIan

UK holiday looks out of the question, now. I've almost decided on the Axminster bundle, so phoned them to ask delivery charges to France. Around £30. Compared with petrol, ferry and hotel, if I went to collect it from Sittingbourne, it's a no-brainer. So, next question? SK100 or SK80? Thanks

Many thanks - I'll look into it.

Not sure clubs are a possibility. I live in a rural part of France - nearest town is 30 mls. The french, I believe, aren't great clubbers... I've searched on LEBONCOIN (Gumtree/CraigsList sort of thing) and nothing showing nearby. EBay.fr is full of new lathes with unknown names (clones from...

Some advice please. I'm thinking about coming back to turning after 15 years away - mainly for bowls, boxes etc. Naturally, I don't want to spend too much up front. I'm looking at Ebay, for second hand kit, but as I live in France, I'd probably have to drive over to the UK to collect it. So...

@novocaine, I'm afraid your approach is out. I'm no good with sharp knives - probably take my finger off. Besides, there are quite a few books I'd like to trim, so a lot of work involved. I've decided to try and find a printer and ask them to do it with their guillotine. There aren't any in...

Yup, may try again at the weekend (if I can find another of my wife's books)

Not quite. It was clamped (tightly and just behind the cutting line), but only on one side. Though I did take very small cuts - 1mm each time, or so.

Failure! The clamp worked well - I made it out of an old cross-cut sled - but the cutting left a rough edge. Fortunately, it's one of my wife's books, and it could be years before she wants to re-read it, so I think I'm safe..... Cheers

People, thanks for the suggestions. @MusicMan, woodpig, Using a commercial printer's guillotine would be best and simplest, but I live in the middle of the french countryside, and there are no places like that nearby. @ marcros, flh801978, A proper bandsaw blade would do a better job, I'm...

As it says.... I have acquired several books (paperbacks) which are taller than normal, so don't fit my bookcase. There is plenty of space between the top/bottom edges of the book and the text, so I was thinking that I could cut maybe 1cm off the top and the bottom of the book.... I've tried...

Thanks, Alexam. Merry Xmas

Well, here's one of them (if I can remember how to post an image) One coat of diluted varnish, cut back to 360 grit, then two coats of "Ian's Patent Beeswax". The finish is as I wanted it, so thanks for the advice [/url]][/img] (The workmanship isn't perfect, but it's only the second bandsaw...

Thanks for the replies, people. The boxes are for presents, so it sounds like I need to give them one or two thin coats of varnish, then apply some wax. Maybe finish with a coat of microcrystalline wax as well, since I have some. OK, now I know what I'm doing. Thanks again

Hi, I need some advice, please I've just made some very simple jewellery boxes, two in walnut and two in ash. I'd like a finish that brings out the colour and grain of the wood. Normally, I seal wood with some thin coats of diluted varnish, then apply a couple of coats of home-made wax polish...

Thanks, MMUK. They have the sort of thing I was looking for, but postage could be a problem. Fortunately, Baldhead has the answer. Thanks for replying Cheers