Any woodworkers?

I know you've already identified it, but just for future reference, the best way to identify red vs white oak is to look at the end grain (on a fairly clean cut). Red oak will have open pores, white oak has closed pores. They almost look like straws that are clear or have a blockage. Just going by color is not very reliable as there can be so much variation; keep in mind that there are something like 10-15 different species of oak that fall into each category.

 

Ha! The more wood you see, the more confused you become! Yeah, I guess you do learn more as you see more. As you get into it, there are three excellent lumber sources in our area (when I say area I mean within a couple hours drive).
Ambrose Randa - New Britain, across from the train station.
Hearne Hardwoods - Oxford, off Rt 1, a little ways past Longwood Gardens
Bailey Wood Products - Kempton, not far from Hawk Mountain

All three have an excellent selection! The only thing I dislike about Randa is that you can't really "cherry pick" your boards, and he is a bit expensive. That being said, I've never had a piece from there move on me. He does something unique in the way he dries the wood.

 

woah, hold up. you really like that? I've needed one for a while but just haven't had a chance to drop the coin on a nice gas one. I've got some Amazon rewards and could pick that bad boy up though....

works pretty good for small trees/limbs and such?

 

I've never done any turning, but did have a couple of demos. If you're turning green wood make sure to only get it to the rough shape. Then let it dry out completely before turning it to the finished shape. There are a bunch of videos on the subject on Youtube.
Also, since you were talking about tool angles the other day; I believe gouges and scrapers require different approach angle to be effective.
Now for some turning inspiration from William Hunter:

 

I ordered it, delivery tomorrow so I'll give it a go.

 

speaking from.....experience?

 

I have dealt with this type of issue before. Hopefully the two boards that are bowed (with the handle in them) are not glued face to face? Easiest way would be to pull those two boards off separate them and replace the one with the worse bow.

If replacing the piece is not what you want to do you can take the board that is bowed the worse and put it through the table saw making multiple cuts 1" apart or so across the width of the inside of the board- but not all the way through- either 1/2 or 3/4 of the way through depending on how bad the bow is. Then take a circular saw and make plunge cuts across the board, again on the inside- but stop 1/2" inch from each side.

This will take the tension/ strength out of the bowed board. Now when you screw it back together with the straight board the cuts will all be hidden and it should act more like wiggle board as it only has the strength of the material left after making all the cuts. I have used this technique many times with great results. I call it death by a thousand cuts!

You could also take the bowed board and lay a wet cloth at the worse part of the bow, wrap tinfoil around it and use a heat gun/ cloths iron to steam the board and then clamp it over something to take the bow out- go further than you think to account for walk back. I've used this technique on a curio cabinet door that I couldn't do the cuts on.

Hope this helps.

 

Glued the miter keys in today. Did that and left the shop so I wouldn’t be tempted to cut them down or do other stuff today. Letting the stain “cure” for a couple days seemed to really deepen the color. Normally I try to lacquer or do other stuff too soon.

 

Right there with ya brother! Letting a project sit while something cures or dries properly drives me nuts!

 

Nope, not in the least

Not sure I’d ever be able to let wood cure for a year or anything either. Normally just use big box wood or old fencing slats for stuff.

 

I've used a 16" Makita electric chainsaw for cutting timbers for about 15 years , I run heavy mineral oil in it instead of bar oil because it is non staining

Fun fact ~ heavy mineral oil is a laxative and you should see the looks on the old lady's face at the pharmacy cash register when I plunk 4 , 1L bottles on the counter lol

 

X2 on the toothpicks!

 

I’m getting good at the grocery store now. Wife still works so I do the grocery shopping. Took almost an hour to find cooking wine the first time I got it. Then they told me it was before 8 so couldn’t buy it, even though it’s not actual white wine!!