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As a restorer repaired and re-finished loads of windsor chairs. Absolutely agree about the negative effect of dipping with caustic soda tanks, I wouldn't even entertain it for any reason. The chair just needs a sand down, stain if wanted, brush (even better a polisher's mop) apply shellac...

Hello Johnnathan, Thank you for your response. I joined this forum mainly to sell off my accumulation of workshop aquired over the past 45 years and as a payback to offer accumulated knowledge to members. I am awaiting knee replacement surgery and am not able to stand at a bench any longer...

joncooper27, my apologies but I have agreed to sell to Peter Millard. I feel that you will only be happy with a new machine with guarantee etc.

Joncooper27, I understand your concerns. I set the price around the level of similar ones on ebay and they did not include the guide bar. However I was planing to reduce the price to £350. The machine in its box has been in a cabinet for all of the time when not actually being used. This machine...

World's gone mad! Even should this turn out to be ivory, it is virtue signalling gone overboard. There is absolutely no way of knowing how the "ivory" was sourced. If they don't feel happy sell it or give it away. The modern sport of re-writing history completely escapes me, along with cancel...

Hello Clogs, In January 1968 serving in HMS Scarborough, we were called away from Gibralter to help find a missing Israeli Submarine the Dakar. This was originally HMS Totem, which prevously carried a Totem Pole gifted by the Cowichan Native tribe from Vancouver Island. The...

I spent several weeks stripping off paint and filler off of wondeful old beams in a house. The owner had listened to his sister and had them painted in a fashionable Green shade, in the French style, he decided he didn't like it. One of the worst gutsy jobs I ever carried out but the result was...

Jack of all trades (master of none). My father was a Carpenter/Joiner and cautioned me to not follow in his footsteps (poorly paid, over unionised (London),etc. etc.). I left school in 1962 and went down the electronics path for the next 15 years (five year apprenticeship in the Royal Navy)...

Hello Eric, I have a sister and her family in Calgary, as I will be phoning her later today interesting to hear the latest weather report! Thankfully we don't have that range of change in temperature. I wonder if the name of the Chinook helicopter is from the same derivation? Merry Christmas!

Joncooper27, Yes, still available and yes have had it from new. The machine was bought for very specific job and has only been used lightly since.

Having worked a lot with US Navy people, most of these idioms are recognisable. I once had to send a message through a US communication channel to a UK recipient and used the word "whilst". It was brought back to me with "we can't find whilst in Websters, have you misstyped?", I said leave it in...

I would recomend listening to Mike & The Mechanics, "In the living years". A real lesson on how we need to talk when they are alive not regret when they aren't.

I feel for you guys across the pond. As we are unused to your range of temperatures we have little to moan about (but we do!). Have spent quite a bit of time in the States and Canada, I can picture "normal" winter conditions but there does seem to be a real chill through the US and Canada. Very...

It is often said that weather in Great Britain is unique to the rest of the World (due to our location). On the globe London is about the same latitude as Calgary in Canada but we rarely get snow. Even a frost (South Coast) is not that normal in winter, just had a week of minus temps. Spent a...

Seascaper, I am not doubting you! I too have used one for years but....... the only thing between you and mains voltage is a resistor if that shorts or gets damaged then you directly have mains voltage at your finger tip. As electronics engineer I have survived many "belts" including 10,000...

I am afraid that I do not recomend a "mains testing screwdriver" is used in testing. They are potentially dangerous and unreliable. There are loads of non-contact testers available, which will test safely. U-tuber John Ward has a thorough video on the pitfalls of these devices.

Morrisminordriver, I spent the first year of my RN Apprenticeship in Torpoint (HMS Fisgard) almost 60 years ago. In our ex-apprentices Association we do have members in your area. I will see if I can find one who might be prepared to help. For the moment some more details would help. You...

Oak is one of the timbers that darkens naturally with age, hence staining to replicate the "old oak" look. Stain takes very differently on veneer compared to solid timber. This often means that not only is veneered oak stained but often stained (coloured) topcoats are used.

I would guess this is timber from a garden bench/table from the Far East. I had one and when the feet etc. rotted, I took that apart and I would say that is the same type. I would say Rubberwood/gum tree is most likely, not a "decent" hardwood like hickory or ash! I too have seen similar wood...

This brings back memories! In about 1960, I helped my Dad (Carpenter/Joiner) on a Sunday ( when I say helped, I made the tea etc.). This was at the London Townhouse of David Brown -Aston Martin/ David Brown Tractors. One room had a sepia Greek (?) mural all around the walls and the door was part...