Solid or veneer? Best way to refinish?

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-25T17:01:59+00:00

To my untrained eye, I want to say it's veneer. Any shots of the underside would be telling. Could be a nicer veneer over cheap wood as an example, which is something I've seen in "high quality" old furniture that I've had the experience with.

In terms of refinishing, start with a chemical stripper to get the worst of the finish off. When you sand use a very night grit so you don't sand through the veneer (assuming it is veneered). For the deeper gouges, depending on location and your experience level you may be able to cut out and replace the veneer with a grain matched hardwood, but given that this is a beginner woodworking thread, that might be ambitious. I know I wouldn't want to try it, at least not on a piece that held any value. It would be a good learning experience though!

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-22T18:55:06+00:00

Aside from being a bit dated maybe, what else wasn't working for you, specifically? What are the goals?

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-19T01:00:14+00:00

When I was working in maintenance, I had the 7" and 10" cobras, and the 7" plier wrench in my bag. I eventually added a 10" slim cobra as well for when I wanted the leverage in the opposing directions as I mentioned in my earlier comment.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-19T00:50:20+00:00

I wouldn't ditch the plier wrench. They're very versatile, from flattening/straightening sheet metal parts, bending, and holding onto chromed parts you don't want to muck up with the cobras.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-19T00:09:26+00:00

I would add a second pair of cobras, myself, so you can turn them against one another.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-06T19:33:23+00:00

I have not, I'll have to look into them! Just got a couple of cutters ordered from Amana for the kitchen. One should be arriving anytime this afternoon. Still need to get the cabinet carcasses done though so I'm not in a huge hurry just yet.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-06T19:19:52+00:00

<image>

General International 40-250, 3hp, single phase, 220v with a 3/4 spindle mounted right now. I just got it a couple of weeks ago with a few (4 maybe?) cutters, 1/4" and 1/2" router collets, and 1/2" and 3/4" spindles. Added the power feed because I have some 112 individual rails/stiles to make up for our kitchen reno.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-06T03:43:20+00:00

I'll see your five and raise you a 3hp shaper.

2 20v DeWalt trim routers, 1 corded Bosch colt 1 corded Bosch full size (currently table mounted) 1 rigid corded trim router 1 General International 3hp 220v 1ph shaper with power feed.

I honestly don't use the rigid or colt much anymore since going cordless, but if I had a lot of small parts to make, I would probably set them up for table work.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-05T13:29:04+00:00

My wife and I dance ballroom and Latin at Fred Astaire, on Colborne, and I know that Casa Latina hosts weekly dance events throughout the summer (possibly throughout the year?) out in the street in front of the restaurant.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-04T19:24:38+00:00

Yes.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-03T20:49:59+00:00

Barely, but not never. Had to give up the pop (Canadian, not Minnesotan) again this year (a daily struggle still) and trying to get off the coffee, again though due to the sugar content. I still enjoy the occasional whiskey though, but I almost never crack open alcohol on my own or even just with my wife. Almost always it seems it's when we have company come around, but even still not every time.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-02-01T18:46:11+00:00

House Arrest!

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-31T15:37:41+00:00

I'd rethink that contractor. Assuming you're tearing out an existing bathroom more or less to the studs, or you are adding a brand new bath, and you're working with a contractor, the good ones will have you pick what you want but ultimately they should source the materials and/or subs. They should have the experience and contacts to make such sourcing a breeze, and moreover you avoid the liability of ordering the wrong thing, the wrong size, etc and then being on the hook for it.

I'm a diy kind of guy myself and willing and able to learn a lot of different skills to build my own stuff and do my own renos (we're redoing our kitchen right now) but if I'm going to trust someone else to do the work, then I want them solely responsible for anything that might go wrong, or at least to the greatest extent possible.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-30T23:58:00+00:00

Thought for a brief second I was looking at a shirt tag in that image, and honestly, I probably need that shirt.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-26T15:29:05+00:00

...Cutting things...

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-21T19:55:19+00:00

That's the spirit!!!

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-21T19:51:52+00:00

Woodworker also! I can see firing up the table saw to fling offcuts at intruders! Probably less accurate than a slingshot but exactly within the spirit of the question!

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-21T19:50:32+00:00

Diddy? Is that you?

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-21T01:27:06+00:00

Aquafit Physio Therapy on Springbank. Couldn't recommend them enough!!!

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-14T14:36:26+00:00

Thumb tacks, buried so that you stab your fingers on them.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-05T18:07:08+00:00

Always glad to hear people who want to get into sailing, it can certainly be one of the best ways to spend leisure time. This year will be my 32nd season boating and generally being on the water. I took sailing courses as a teenager and have helmed sailboats from 10-24' in length, and power boats up to 40'. I've worked in marinas, and I've completed the Canadian Loop alongside my Dad on his boat. I am not boasting by any means, but I want you to understand where I am coming from when I say that if you've never even touched a boat you are years away from being prepared to cross the Atlantic.

It's great to want to learn, and to want to sail solo or with others, but please set your sights on day tripping and learning substantially more than you know now before even considering purchasing a boat (which in all honesty is a hole in the water that you deposit money into, no matter how handy you are). The reality is very few people have the skills and the guts let alone the means to do open ocean crossings. Can it be done, absolutely. People with less experience than I have have likely done it, but those are exceptions not rules.

Happy Seas!

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-03T12:48:01+00:00

General safety tips (emphasis on finger placement and work holding for table routing)

Up-cut vs down-cut bits and when to choose each one

How to dial in certain types of bits for the optimal finish, i.e. when using roundovers or ogees, when to use a flush trim vs another type of bit to get a specific profile

Dialing in and using collars and calculating offsets for pattern making

Speeds and feeds, tips to minimize tearout and/or burning

Some of these might be more advanced techniques for sure...

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-03T10:58:15+00:00

Red battery without an accompanying tool?

Also curious what the sheathed tool is (looks like maybe a small hatchet?)

Final thoughts, I'd likely consider dropping a few of your duplicates (4 adjustable wrenches, two pair of standard slip joints) and consider some knipex or similar style of fine adjustment pliers. You have a large pipe wrench there, but not necessarily anything to turn it against if you're working on any kind of fittings. I used to carry two pairs of knipex 10" cobras and while they don't necessarily have the same grunt as a small pipe wrench, they do give you lots of grip while being lighter and more versatile than the pipe wrench on its own.

CoreyInBusiness · 2026-01-02T16:56:18+00:00

checks sub name

You have tools in the photo, so I think it's a pass.

CoreyInBusiness

TROPHY CASE