As usual, I am finding myself a novice in too many ways all at once! My grand plan to announce new classes here was foiled when other web avenues filled the classes. I will be announcing the date that I will be ANNOUNCING the classes from now on. I'm sorry if anyone missed the chance and encourage you to sign up for the mailing list on the site to keep up with other announcements.

On a more fun note, I'm having all sorts of fun trying new things in the shop. I've found myself up against a material issue, namely, watching all my air dried white oak crack up in my overly dry workshop! This has forced me to try bending posts for my rockers out of kiln dried white oak. Much to my surprise, I've been having great success. Below is a post that was steamed for two hours, then covered in plastic and bent. The plastic keeps the moisture from leaving with the heat, which extends bending time and makes it so the surface wood isn't shocked and cracks.

I've built a new steamer out of pvc. As you can see, the pipe is supported and insulated, both to keep the heat in, but also to keep the pipe from slumping from the heat. I like the way that the moisture from the steam is not absorbed, which I think gives me wetter bends

I'll be updating my results as I get more. I am suspecting the using quartersawn wood might also help, as it dries with less stress on the tangential face, which is where checking tends to occur.

I've also been learning more about the osmo oils. I like the satin for first coats, as it is "loose" and easy to wipe off. It's incredibly even looking. But it's too flat, so I've been mixing it with the gloss for a topcoat that builds to a higher sheen. I find the gloss just a bit too "sticky" when applying. The mix builds well, although it takes a while to cure.

Here is an old chair that I applied the mix to, I love the results. Two coats brought it back to life!