|
|
|
Charles Neil Woodworking
Monthly Newsletter
|
|
|
|
Please Support
Our Sponsors
|
|
 My World
The more things change, the more they remain the same!
That statement pretty much sums it up. We have been busier than ever, most, self induced. As I have written in the blog, it seems either myself or life in general can complicate what is typically a simple thing, like the color DVD and the Blotch Control, or the issue we encountered with color retention (see The Finish Line article) that came about at the conclusion of the DVD and required a complete re-start so that it would all be as current as possible. Decisions like these are hard to make, do we just go or do we re-work it all. The answer for us is simple, it has to be the best we can do with the knowledge, product and experience we have at the time or there would be no point in doing it. I'm glad we did it, if you cannot take my DVD and be successful there is no point to it. I think we can all agree on that and taking blotch control and coloring is something not tackled before but needed to be done.
|
|
The Finish Line
My Oh My - This has been quite an exciting time in the world of finishing. Exciting meaning lots of changes....some good, some not so good. It would seem that as fast as one problem is solved, another emerges.....it's amazing and seems never ending.
- Finishes & Government Restrictions
- Color Pull-Off - Why is There Stain on My Rag?
- Blotch Control - Equal Colorization
|
| Power in Numbers!
As our audience has grown we have learned that together we can make some purchases as a group (volume) and realize some savings on products, so this week we introduce the first items since our Signature Bit release that are not produced by us but by offering as a pre-sale, we group the order and can save some money.
Charles gets emails daily asking about things to purchase for folk's shop, things that he has around, so he has made a list and we are pursuing these items with manufacturers and will be bringing them to you on a regular basis.
This month, we have the following offers:
Flush Trim Spiral Bits by Whiteside
1/4" Up-Cut - Regular $40.00 - Special $34.00*
1/4" Down-Cut - Regular $40.00 - Special $34.00*
1/2" Up-Cut - Regular $70.00 - Special $63.20*
1/2" Down-Cut - Regular $70.00 - Special $63.20*
These bits include a DVD by Charles on the various uses like pattern cutting, straight lining, etc.
Painter's Pyramid Finishing Turntable
Regular $49.99 - Special $35.00
Pattern Making DVD
Regular $24.94 - Special $18.75
The Magic or Routers
Regular $63.95 - Special $47.95
* Free Shipping on the Router Bits
This Special Ends - Wednesday, June 23, 2010
These items will ship the week of July 5th, please note that is how we group the purchase and then place the order with the manufacturer. All of these items are in stock with the manufacturer, on June 24th I will place the orders and will ship as soon as they are received at our shop.
|
|
|
Behind the Scenes -
The Making of a Webisode
Many of you have stopped by the shop and actually have seen the filming of a DVD or the weekly show and have commented that they had no idea what it takes so Crystal put together some thoughts......
|
 Woodcraft Magazine
Just wanted to let you know that the current issue of Woodcraft Magazine has little ol' me on the cover!
The project is a Pembroke Table copied from the Wilton House museum in Richmond, VA. There is also an article giving great instruction on how to build the taper jig I designed a few years ago. You can pick up a copy at your local Woodcraft store, buy on line or visit their web site
www.woodcraftmagazine.com for more information about purchasing a copy or subscribing. If you are not already a reader, pick up a copy and give them a look.
Woodcraft is sponsor of Charles Neil Woodworking as well as you, the woodworkers. They help me help you, they're not just a retailer and not just a magazine, they DO believe in all of us. |
|
A Gentleman & A Scholar
 Marc Spagnuolo, aka The Wood Whisperer
In the course of life, and especially in business, it's not very common to have someone share their knowledge about how they accomplish things. When we needed help with some video issues, I emailed Marc and asked him for help. Without batting an eye, he took the time to help us through, but then, I knew he would, he's that kind a guy.
Marc and I have been friends for a good while and we keep it that way. I get emails telling me Marc is doing this and that and I suspect he gets the same. It's funny because some folks seem to think we have some sort of competition going on and well, we just don't. Marc does his thing and I do mine and if one needs the other, it's never an issue.
Marc was one of the first guys to show up on youtube doing woodworking and the same with his podcast and his show. Marc has certainly been a pioneer in all of this on-line video woodworking stuff. I guess we've been around a while now too, so together we keep it happening, it benefits all because woodworking is what it is all about.
Marc and I have come together to do a collaborative build. We will be building some dressers or chest of drawers. His will be frame and panel, more contemporary style, mine will be a traditional piece with bracket fee and we will be posting these on our respective shows so if you will get 2 for 1 on this build. Industry first and we're both looking forward to it.
In the event some of you do not know Marc, let me introduce you to my friend....
|
 Our Show is doing well, very well. I think this is the best thing we could have done and based on your emails and comments, you think so too.
and a Special Offer
The LowBoy is almost finished, we'll let you know when the next project begins.
|
General Finishes
Exterior Stains
 I have been testing and using these stains. They are true stains meaning they use a pigment base. Think of pigments like little BB's. They are then glued to the surface and you have a stain. Dye is fully dissolved and since we have so many new subscribers I will explain again that the way to tell when you buy a can of stain, which is often labelled a dye or vise a versa is that a dye will have no settling in the bottom, it stays in solution. A stain will have all the goop in the bottom that has to be mixed and a combo will have both. If you place a clean stick in the can and it has the goop and the stick is also colored, it is a combo.
I told you all of that because dyes do not work well outside, they are not nearly as color fast as stains. This product is formulated from the General Finishes 450 clear coat and these may be used and do not require a top coat, that's sweet!
Now, here is the kicker, we have very little color pull from these so applying several coats is not an issue, actually apply 2 or 3 coats and call it a day.
You can also use them on interior projects but we would want to 'beef up' the look and use some clear top coats. The colors are super.
On a side note, many of you have emailed that you are not close to an outlet for General Finish Product, in the next 7-10 days we will be offering them for sale in our on-line store.
Good Job on these stains GF! |
|
Bevel Up or Bevel Down....an Interesting Question
 My friend, Jeff Fleisher attended a weekend workshop at the Marc Aams School of Woodworking on the use of hand planes.
After returning he was visiting my shop and as we were talking, Jeff mentioned that he walked away with the question of, "why would anyone buy a bevel down plane any more?" I asked Jeff if he would write an article for the newsletter and then add a topic out on the forum so we could discuss it.
|
 My Tool Chest
Earlex 3500
On the forum and via email many of you have asked about the Earlex 3500, the newest turbine from Earlex priced around $130-$145. The question is always, does it work and will it work for water base? The short answer is yes, now let's look at the long answer.
|
|
 Woodworker Profile
Sal Marino
In this bio I want to introduce you to my friend Sal Morino. Sal and I met when I was looking for the adhesive I wanted to use in the lowboy show to veneer the top. I got some Urea resin glue, love it and it worked great. We got to emailing and I found a man with a ton of knowledge and years of experience in the veneering, finishing and woodworking worlds as well.
|
| Woodworking Tip
Loose Knots
Pine is one of the worst for having loose knots although you find them in other species as well. Loose knots are usually black or much darker than tight knots. Loose knots will ruin planers and they are extremely dangerous when sawing them. Tapping them with a hammer will 'test' the knot. If it is loose, tap it out, scrape the inside of the hole as well as the knot to remove the 'membrane'. If the knot will go back in tight, you can use regular wood glue to glue it back, if not, use epoxy, but the best thing to do is to avoid them if possible.
Naptha works just like mineral spirits but dries faster. In refinishing, often surface contamination can cause finishes not to dry as well as oily woods. A gentle wiping with Naptha will often pull the contamination out and dry the finish without damaging a soft finish. Wipe easy! |
|
|
If you've been following my blog you are aware that we are going to be producing a FREE online show coming later this summer and into the Fall where we will be addressing and focusing on the basics of woodworking, we'll be telling you more about it in the months to come, we'd love to get your feedback on how we can help you start woodworking and getting in your shop. No topic is off limits, ya see, one day I get an email from someone wanting to know how to set jointer knives, an hour later I get one with the question, what is a jointer used for? So ya see, we need to think back to the beginning. There will be no change in our weekly show 'Mastering Woodworking', we will continue to tackle projects, simplify them and make them together, the basic show will cover those things we don't spend time on in the other show.
Now, I do want to take a minute to talk to you about the 'group buys' and other promotions we do, it's not just to put money in my pocket, it takes a bit to keep all of this stuff going and with the support of the woodworkers taking advantage of the specials we put forth and of the manufacturers and retailers who support our cause we are able to bring new things like the show we will be airing in the fall. Just so ya know.
Late summer, early fall we will be releasing the new dovetail jig, everything is set and being manufactured. Stay tuned.
Next month we will have the group buy on the Titanium Saw Blades, waiting for the inventory to arrive.
One more thing, starting with this newsletter, we have put threads for article discussions on our forum, this makes it a little easier to ask questions, offer feedback and discuss issues that might be brought to the forefront after reading and instead of only one getting an answer in an email, everyone gets the information from everyone else as well as from me.
Catch Ya Later! |
|
Contact Info
The Workshop of Charles Neil
118 W. Stonewall Street
New Market, VA 22844
540-740-3620
|
|
|
|
|
