Website Changes

by Dan Sichel

The BOD gadget was moved to its own page under the "About Us" tab.

Handshouse Studio, Norwell, MA

Kickback!

Rob Carver

Just hearing the word sends shivers down my back.  The point, as made by Rob, is to address the table saw with the expectation that kickback could happen.  I can't say I go through the process every time.  When when I am not cognizant of that possibility that's when kickback will occur.

But Rob's essay is not a cliche about the required preparation and the violence kickback can unleash.  As the essay progresses, Rob reveals another clever twist of wordplay.  Yep, read Kickback! to the end and you just might feel a bit of a jolt.

You can reach Rob for comments and additional information, by clicking Rob Carver.

Tree Rings

by Andrew Davis

This article about tree rings starts with an eye-catching news headline.  Andrew reads the article about a methodology to date shipwrecks with the hope of identifying the wreck.  The notion of tree rings surface, which leads to discovering the international periodical Dendrochonologia of peer reviewed articles of all things woody, especially growth rings.

Pieces of the shipwreck and the growth rings are analyzed microscopically.  Voila, the age of the pieces put the wreck to be consistent with an 1849 shipwreck off the coast of Argentina. But there were other possible matches and thus could not conclusively make a match.

Spurred on by the recommended Dendrochonologia process Andrew writes about his experiments to determine the age of some of his furniture.  You literally won't believe where this goes.  Find out the results in Tree Rings.

Andrew welcomes your feedback.

by Dave McCormick

Segmented Turning

Paul Schulz provided his

outline with related links

from his December

presentation on

Segmented Turning.

Click Segmented Turning

for a view and download.

Sales

by Andrew Davis

It didn't take long for the Sales and Marketing Departments of our retail economy to open the doors with all kinds of sales and promotions and discounts and free shipping.  I'm sure you know that this is no more apparent than with the woodworking supply stores and their copious email solicitations.  'Tis the season. 

In a uniquely Andrewsian way, our intrepid and uncompromising advocate writes about the contradictions he observes with his pet peeves and irritations, including a table of vendors and how they summarize their offerings.  Read all about Sales.

by Dave McCormick

Challenge Yourself

by Rob Carver

Rob has chosen the "Challenge Yourself" adage this month.  It's a dangerous maxim to write about because it runs the risk of superiority.  However, reading the article you will find that it's just the opposite.  Rob writes about being motivated by others and the notion to challenge oneself is all about risk and self improvement.  In woodworking it means taking on new projects and possibly failing.  I would guess that we all consider projects to work on based on how reasonable the outcome will be.  We all have our limits, but that limit could expand one challenge at a time.  I think you will find this article enriching, if not motivational.  Take a look at Challenge Yourself.