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Looks good as it is. Shellac has only limited grain filling capability so, ideally, it would be better to start with some sort of fine surface filler. As you have already used a motor finish for the stand surface I would suggest you look into a fine auto filler which should be compatible with...

In my opinion, Abranet is very hard to beat. I would suggest 400 grit between coats, no need for a mchine, hand sanding is all you need. Jim

Yes, I agree. In fact, shellac will stick to almost anything and can be used as surface preparation between incompatible finishes. Jim

I have achieved a very saisfactory result using an oil based polyurethane varnish (can't remember which one) diluted with 40% white spirit, wiped on with a cloth. About five or six coats, the last applied with 400 grit wet and dry and then wiped off. I last did it on a small oak chest of...

I have seen on another thread (can't remember where) some long term tests on external wood finishess and the one that came out streets ahead of others was Sikkens Cetol. I believe there are various versions but a search of the website or an email to their technical advice people would identify...

You need to have a close look at the underside to make sure it is in fact solid wood as you think. This can be confirmed by looking at the end grain which should make it obvious whether it is indeed veneered. If it is solid wood, I would consider shellac. You dont need french polishing skills...

Have you thought about using shellac? It's very easy to apply using a cloth and dries very quickly. Two or three coats are all you need and you can cut back or buff to any level of sheen you want. It is not the hardest or most water resistant of finishes but neither of these is important in...

Just come across this thread and thought my own experiences might be of interest. I have made two organically inspired pieces. The first was this table The legs are steam bent ash but there is still a lot of shaping. The second is this chair - of which I'm currently making three more, all...

When it comes to sharpening stones, diamonds are certainly not forever. They have an initial period when they cut very aggressively and then level off for quite a long period, but they absolutely do wear out. How quickly, does, of course, depend on how much you use then and for what. Very...

I bought ona of those at the back end of last year and am very pleased with it. I've often wondered why none of the other makers have bothered to properly integrate hose and cable storage. Jim

Mark, I have a couple of genuine Eclipses; the most recent I bought in excellent condition for just a few quid on ebay. You don't get these problems with the genuine article. The thing I have found the Eclipse not to be good at is Japanese chisels which are my mainstay. I tried modifying my...

Not even when tightened with a screwdriver? Jim

Thanks Steve, I'll have another look at the film. Jim

If my Oneida is anything to go by I don't think that is right. On that there is a big fan at the top above a big cylindrical tobe about as high as it is wide, underneath which there is a cone the narrow end of which connects to the dust drum. I seems to me that all the cyclonic work is done in...

Nice idea Steve, but have you any ideas for poor s*ds like me who don't have the luxury of a table saw? Jim

That looks like a good option. My Oneida drum has one of those quick release metal bands and it works very well. But I can see the attraction of a square perspex container made to fit the available space. I'm sure it would not be too difficult to arrange a rubber seal and over-centre toggle...

They would if the holes in the rails were slotted. Jim

Could you not put threaded inserts into the table top and then use hand screws with threaded rod (the sort of thing used in jig making) to secure the table top If you put cross rails in parallel to the apron these could be well above the apron so that the hand screws were unobtusive. It...

I have one of the US Oneida Air cyclone extractor systems ( bought from the UK importer before he sadly went bust - started up just as the recession began) and it is excellent but it does have an opaque collection drum. Luckily it has never overfilled but I have seen chips just coming up into...

That's a lot of sharpenings by my local industrial sharpening outfit. Jim