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Quick response! Yes, I'd like it to be round across the width too (kind of a half cylinder), but willing to take a flatter bottom if the cylinder is too difficult to keep consistent. I wondered if a custom (bodged) moulding plane might be a thing here. I'll look into that. Thanks. But still keen...

I have eight strips of wood that need "channels" cutting into the faces. These are functional (to give fingertips a place to grip when lifting what the strips surround) but they are in full view so there's a design and decoration aspect too. They need to be neat and tidy and nicely finished like...

Thoughtful responses, as always. Thanks folks. Clearly it's impossible to make a simple gloss/satin choice as there are too many "other factors" related to context and expected usage of the end result. Plus folks working for profit (professionals) will likely have a vastly different set of...

From reading comments and talking with people over the years, it appears the majority (edit: of woodworkers) prefer a rubbed-out satin finish on wood rather than mirror/gloss. Why? Even if it's not a majority, the question remains. Why do (at least some) people prefer a satin finish over a...

For a really easy gloss finish, try Coloron finishing oil. Wipe on and rub in with a rag, wipe excess off after an hour. Leave for a day, then buff. Extra coats will give a bit more gloss but will also darken the finish more. Brush on shellac is easy and reliable too, but you do need to "rub...

It is expensive, but it goes a heck of a long way! One little sample bottle should do a couple of moderate-sized step stools with ease, and some left over. You don't need the hardener - just wait longer for full cure. But it is claimed (and reported) that the finish is a bit tougher if hardener...

I recently experimented with Rubio Monocoat 2c, a hard wax oil. Super easy to use and cures to a very hard wearing surface. The "pure" version is colourless but does bring our the grain without darkening much. I can't use it for my project because of the " not beyond 180 grit" surface sanding...

I thought that was *my* name until I was 10. My dad was always shouting, "Jesus Christ! What are you up to now?" :)

The one I *felt* stupidest about was doing the cliche "step on a rake" thing. I stepped on the tines and caught the handle full on the nose. No break, but lots of blood and swearing. The stupid part was doing it right in front of two "mates". Sympathy was *not* evident. They both nearly...

Staining with a hint of green will push red woods to brown. It's a colour-wheel thing. Not sure what would happen if the red subsequently faded though.

Thanks for your comments folks. All helpful. I've chosen and tested a process and it works pretty well. The main approach to grain and pore filling will be based on shellac - like so... I first sand the veneers flat and smooth to get a block within 0.1 mm of its final dimensions; slightly...

Thanks Droogs. I do intend to try dark epoxy for bigger holes and splits (and maybe small ones too). As an aside - some of the veneers have holes that only appear in the centers of small knots. They're quite sparsely distributed and I'm toying with the idea of filling them with resin of a bright...

An ice cold dry cider, or six...

Oh my. I'm not sure the "knowing I'm in good company" plan worked out quite as expected. I've mainly been reminded of all the OTHER bad habits I have too! Thanks for all your comments though - so many familiar patterns and behaviours. It seems I'm normal after all. Well, as normal as you lot...

I've finally chosen the veneer combinations for my first chess board build. They're pictured here on random test blocks at various stages of experimental finishing and re-finishing. That is, they don't look their best here, but show the selection made. The walnut and maple veneers are for the...

The slots are only for taking screws out - after you hammered them into the wrong place. Ingenious :)

My two worst, recurring habits (woodworking related) are... 1. Hurrying up (nowhere) near the end of sawing. After a long stretch of careful and/or strenuous sawing, I often find myself starting to put subtle downward pressure on the saw and speeding up. I know it causes issues nearly every...

That's a welcome event to wake up to. Lucky you! Money can't make you happy, of course, but it sure makes being miserable a lot easier... :)

I hadn't heard of it till now. I assume you mention it for the 30% weight saving over other laminates. Pretty light.

Thanks, Warping is a concern and I spent a long time deliberating over what substrate to use. I initially tried marine ply, but dimensions and quality are all over the place these days. The facing veneer is usually terrible too; often dead thin (0.3 mm), soft and poorly glued. About as far from...