Turning Boxes with Hal Simmons
Saturday, March 11
9am-4pm
Class Size: 8
Tuition: $95
Item# 991320
2-Day Bowl Turning Workshop with Frank Bowers
Saturday & Sunday,
March 25 & 26
9am-5pm
Class Size: 8
Tuition: $195
Item# 991331
Stains and Dyes
Every quarter I teach a class on coloring wood and often the very first question from the class is, "What are the differences between stains and dyes?"
Very simply put, stains are very thin paints and dyes are why your socks are red out of the washer. With stains, the pigment tends to remain on the surface of the wood and lodge in the pores, while dyes penetrate deeply and color the wood from within.
For 30 years the Atlanta Woodcarvers Club has been dedicated to providing information and education about chip, relief and in-the-round carving and finishing techniques to woodcarvers of all skill levels and experience. Please come join us at one of our monthly meetings:
2nd Tuesday of every month @ 7:00PM
Mason Mill
Dept. of Recreation
(Lower level of
Mack Love Center)
1340 McConnell Drive
Decatur, Georgia 30033
Visit our website for more information: www.atlantawoodcarvers.com.
Bob Flexner has been a professional furniture finisher and refinisher for over 20 years. He began studying the chemistry of wood finishes after he became so frustrated with the lack of accurate information available. In his books Mastering Woodworking: Applying Finishes and Understanding Wood Finishing (203621), as well as in numerous articles and in workshops and seminars on the subject, Flexner has cut through the myths surrounding the craft of finishing and made it accessible to everyone.
We are excited to announce that Bob will be returning to Highland Hardware on May 6 & 7 to conduct a extensive 2-day seminar on finishes (class number 991357). As a sneak preview, Bob has provided the tip below.
A Perfect Finish
by Bob Flexner
What is it that makes a perfect finish? It’s not the coloring. A lot of factory-made furniture is finished with a sophisticated, multi-step coloring process that still shows flaws when you catch a reflection across the surface or you run your hand over the finish.
A great finish is one that has been rubbed smooth to eliminate the dust nibs, brush marks, orange peel and runs that diminish the visual and tactile experience.
With oil finishes, where you are wiping off the excess, ultimate smoothness is achieved by sanding or abrading each coat while it’s still wet (before wiping off) using very fine grit sandpaper or other abrasive.
With hard-curing, film-building finishes, improved smoothness is achieved by rubbing with #0000 steel wool and possibly a lubricant. Ultimate smoothness and perfection is achieved by leveling the finish using sandpaper and a backing block or pad, and then rubbing with increasingly fine-grit abrasives until you achieve the sheen you want.
After the incredible success (it was our most viewed piece) of Mr. McCandless' prior contribution, Two Simple Table Saw Improvements, published in our November 2005 issue, we are pleased to present another of his helpful and informative articles.
Does Size Matter?
by Richard McCandless
Okay, let's admit it – our significant others silently accuse us of feeding our Freudian fixations in the workshop. "You already have one of those," they say, "do you really need a bigger one?" Look around some people's shops and you'll see the more-is-better syndrome at work: duplicate tools, massive motors, and racks of seldom used accessories. Hence the jokes about "He who dies with the most tools wins".
Penturning: A Step-by-Step Primer
by Elena Vega
One of the great benefits of working at Highland Hardware is that one is constantly exposed to new woodworking techniques and skills. I became interested in woodturning after watching a co-worker turn a pen on his lunch break one day. The next day I tried my hand at it on my break, and I was hooked! Luckily, Christmas was right around the corner, so I asked for a Jet Mini Lathe (141582). Santa was kind enough to bring it, and soon I was turning all different kinds of pens.
Turning a pen is an ideal introduction to woodturning. A pen is one of the easiest, yet most attractive items you can produce - you get virtually instant gratification.
We invite you to participate in the Highland Hardware Turning Contest, featuring our new 4-in-1 Screwdriver Kits (161960). The contest rules and guidelines are as follows:
Highland Hardware Turning Contest Online Entry Form
Highland Hardware Turning Contest Entry Form (Print Version to Mail In)
Use your choice of wood make a truly unique gift for a client, friend or yourself. This kit includes the bushing, tube and two double-ended screwdriver bits (one is #1 & #2 Phillips, the other is small & large slotted.) The kit requires a wood blank approximately 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 6". You will also need 16mm & 1/2" drill bits. Instructions included.
Item# 191960.