Search results

OK, thanks for that I'll give it a try. I'm experimenting with various stains and finishes at the moment so I will add it to the list. Mike

Mignal, Marcus, thanks for the comments on French polish. what mix (cut) do you two guys use? Assuming you keep it in an airtight jar how long does it last before it is no longer useable? What happens when it is too old? Mike

Thanks Marcus. I have tried Danish oil but not too impressed. I have been reading about boiled linseed oil recently and did think I would give it a go. I will get some Liberon on your recommendation. Real French polishing is something I have been meaning to try for some time but never got...

Marcus, thanks for all of that information. I will certainly give the washing soda a try. What would you use for a finish? I have used mostly shellac based products (Mark Finney's and Liberon easy French polish) applied with a mop but I don't always get the depth to the finish that I would...

Hi Marcus, I am interested in your comment about using Washing soda with Vandyke crystals. What exactly do you do? Mix the two together or use them separately? What sort of quantities? I make copies of old English furniture and have used VD as the basis for the colouring but I have found it...

Mark, I missed your reply earlier somehow. When were you quoted £57 per linear metre for 5"x5" prime oak? I would be happy to pay that but what they quoted me was double that. Perhaps I should talk to them again. Mike

Richard, Rob, thanks for your replies. I see now the reason for odd numbers of laminations. My concern about the join showing is not so much the glue line but more the change in grain pattern. It would be good if I could get consecutive planks from a whole trunk, then the grain would match! I...

Rob, Thanks for the reply. Yes I guessed that the waste in drying thick timber was the problem. Do yo think it would be better to use 5 laminations than to use three? I had been wondering if it would be worth trying to make the laminations out of the same board i.e. pieces side by side, to...

Firstly a brief introduction as I don't post here very often. I have been retired for about 5 years and making furniture for about the same time (as a hobby). The furniture I make is mainly copies of old English furniture. My current project is a large dining room table. The problem is that...

Adam, The photos show off your plane very well. I like your choice of woods. I had a go at making a scraper plane a while ago and had a similar problem with the wedge not staying tight. I have not persevered with it but this thread has made me want to have another go at it. Thanks for the...

Adam, Your plane sounds very interesting, look forward to seeing the pictures. I see from your PS that your next project is a rocking chair. I have wanted to make one of these chairs for some time but have been put off by the cost of the plans package. I had wondered if it was possible to...

Pintglass, The order in which you put the pieces around the circle does not make any difference to the angles. Each of the large pieces will have an angle of 18 deg at the centre of the circle and the smaller pieces 9 deg. Try drawing it out on a piece of paper or MDF, the actual size of the...

Johnboy's drawing has the answer to this question although the number of parts is not right. You want to make a circle out of 16 large pieces and 8 half the size. Two of the smaller pieces are equivalent to the larger ones so 8 are equivalent to 4 of the large pieces. This means that...

Chems wrote 'Bob the builder fan?' No, I'm just tall! (2m)

Chems, I am no expert but as no one else has replied I'll tell you what I have done under instructions from swmbo! I painted some pine bedroom furniture that had a light brown varnish type of finish. I used Dulux eggshell although the colour I used was an off white (it was mixed, slightly...

I have spoken to this chap on the 'phone. It seems that he produces large oak beams and this timber is what is cut off when making them. The wood is a mixture of English and European (French and German). The price is for a cubic foot but as has been said it goes up to £20. The cheap stuff...

Terry, yes thanks that answers the question, it sounds as though I should try cellulose sealer as it dries harder and that may well be an advantage. Mike

Terry, For this type of application, what is the difference between cellulose and shellac sanding sealer. I have been using shellac sealer mainly because the solvent being methylated spirits it's cheaper to use. Mike

Thanks for the quick response. Paul, yes I should have thought of that. I have sent them an e-mail. Wizer, I wondered myself if wooden ones would be any good. I might have a go. I am just a bit concerned wood will not be strong enough. Mike

Hi, I have been lurking for a long time and never feel I have anything to contribute but I do find it very interesting and informative. I have a question that I hope someone may be able to answer. I picked up some Record sash cramps at Corby during the week. They are the type with a flat bar...