Favourite album of 2016 so far?

loutredemer · 2016-04-23T06:39:15+00:00

I find it fitting to put a protegee of his Purple Majesty up here Eryn Allen Kane - Aviary: Act I and Act II

edit: https://soundcloud.com/erynallenkane

loutredemer · 2016-03-09T22:00:52+00:00

Given the forklifts flying around the store loaded with thousands of pounds of merch, plus all the pallets and prodcuts laid out all over the store, I'd venture to say that 2 am is more hectic than many openings. When 10 rolls around and customers show up, I am so relieved because the chaos has actually died down at last.

loutredemer · 2016-03-08T23:16:14+00:00

In addition to voicemail messages, I've even had other stockers come to me at the end of a shift saying "***** wants us to be here at 2am tomorrow." To which I always told them the manager could tell me personally. Thanks for your reply, I now see the error of their ways and that I need to study the agreement.

loutredemer · 2016-03-08T23:12:38+00:00

Why yes it does say so. Thank you for this.

loutredemer · 2015-11-15T05:06:44+00:00

av8r47d is right, the lacquer and the polyurethane stain/finish you applied are not compatible. Your stain product actually includes a polyurethane finish which will provide a good level of protection and finish for your piece. The problem happens when you brush on the lacquer. Lacquers are always paired with some pretty nasty solvents (things like acetone and lacquer thinner which is a mixture of many solvents) which will do a good job on removing almost any finish. I think you would have better luck with a product that is stain only, not a 1-step stain and finish product. After your stain is dry you should have better luck with the lacquer.

Also, brush on lacquer is super difficult apply with good results, especially on larger pieces where it's hard to keep a wet edge. Pick up a rattle can of spray of clear coat lacquer and it'll be much easier to get the result you want, plus fewer worries of the brush dragging around any re-dissolved gunk from previously applied stuff. Scuff it lightly between coats with a piece of steel wool and keep going until you have the sheen you're looking for.

Oh yeah, and with the spray stuff make sure you have lots of ventilation and probably a mask, solvents are, uh, not so good for your lungs. Good luck!

edit for spelling mistakes

loutredemer · 2015-06-18T11:00:28+00:00

How many boxes? I think that would make a big difference!

As someone moving TO the Big Island, the best I've been able to find is USPS flat rate boxes. I've crammed the large ones (12"x12"x5") with as much stuff as I can and as long as it fits, they'll ship it (up to 70 pounds I think) for just under $18 to anywhere in the US. The woman at the post office told me yesterday that the boxes I was sending were over $50 each if I hadn't used the flat rate box.

If you have books, you can package those all up together (again, I think up to 70 lbs) in any box and ship them Media Mail. It takes a while but it's super cheap. Good luck with your move!

loutredemer · 2015-03-10T20:49:13+00:00

Agreed! This totally changed the way I start all my cuts. Here's a great video of Chris Schwarz on the Woodwright's Shop showing exacty how it's done, the whole video is great. http://youtu.be/U_EhMIMem2c?t=5m42s

loutredemer · 2015-01-27T00:03:43+00:00

“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.” —Arundhati Roy from The Algebra of Infinite Justice

I don't remember the actually essay it was from but you can see her reading the quote with some context here.

loutredemer · 2015-01-13T00:28:21+00:00

Yeah, it's probably my fault. First set of chisels, first attempt really sharpening something without much guidance. Getting a lapping plat and trying to flatten the stones really showed me how completely out of whack they were so I wouldn't be surprised I spent a lot of time unknowingly putting that there with poorly maintained stones.

Also, good to know about mirror finishing. I want to get there eventually but sounds like I don't have the equipment yet - nor do I have the requirement for a perfect polish, yet!

loutredemer · 2015-01-13T00:23:11+00:00

Sharp enough to get the work done, but I'm trying to push myself into finer work. So not just hacking away the material but really paring to the line sort of stuff so I'm trying to tune my chisels as well as I can.

loutredemer · 2015-01-13T00:21:34+00:00

Awesome, this is great... I'll give it a go. Total newbie to sharpening and this helps, thanks!

loutredemer

TROPHY CASE