Saturday Mornings at Highland a Great Success!
by Chris Black

On February 17, 2007, we began our Saturday Mornings at Highland educational program, a series of free woodworking demonstrations every Saturday morning here in our retail store. So far the response has been tremendous.

Our first Saturday featured our own Phil Colson turning toy tops. The crowd quickly overflowed to the second floor with folks watching over the balcony. Phil engaged the crowd with his easygoing manner, answering questions and then going back to the lathe. After teaching turning techniques, Phil switched over to decorating the tops with various pens, inks and finishes. A bunch of kids, young and old, left with some sample tops and having had a great time.

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Ask the Staff

E-mail us at woodnews@highlandwoodworking.com with your woodworking or finishing questions. Selected questions will be answered in future issues. If your question is selected for publication, we'll send you a free Highland Hardware hat.

Question: I have been building cabinets and furniture for 15 years, and the one thing that I am not content with is the final finish on my pieces. The big problem that I have is what others have called "bleed back". After a period of roughly 4 to 6 months, the stain bleeds back out of the pores of the wood (under the polyurethane) and gives the grain a black unappealing, aged look. It happens on almost all of my projects that involve using a Minwax "wipe on, wipe off stain" on red oak. I have tried my best to wipe off all of the excess stain and always give it 24 hours to dry. I know that red oak is a bit more porous than most other hardwoods, but again, this problem shouldn't be . What am I doing wrong? Or is it the product that I am using that' causing this?

Answer

Employee Contribution

Surface Quality: What Is It and How To Achieve It
by Chris Black

Why is it that when we buy something new, we want it shiny, smooth and flawless, but when we look for something old, it must be dinged, worn and distressed? Of course much of this has to do with our personal tastes and cultural predispositions. Consciously recognizing our attitudes towards the physical characteristics of artifacts, for whatever reason, can help us make better choices about how we design and finish our woodworking projects.

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Featured Product

Adjustable Torque Screwdriver with 28 Bits

$34.99

Here's a truly unique screwdriver that stands out in a crowd - an adjustable torque screwdriver! With a turn of a wrist, the spring loaded slip clutch goes from 2-36 in/lb of torque with an accuracy of ±6%. When you've reached the desired torque, the clutch disengages. A built-in scale indicates your setting.

If you're looking for a gift, they can't possibly have one of these yet. Comes with 26 hex bits with 1/4" shanks, a 2" extension, and a 1/4" drive adapter for sockets, all in a fitted plastic case.

Item# 168088.

Don't Miss Our Spring One Day Sale!

Saturday, May 5th
9am-5pm

Come spend the day at Highland Woodworking for our Spring One Day Sale! We'll have free woodworking demonstrations throughout the day, free refreshments, door prizes and special in-store pricing on hundreds of items.

The shops and eateries here in Virginia-Highlands will keep your family fed and busy all day, so bring the whole clan and come on down! We won't have a tent, so there will be parking available in our lot.

Directions to Our Store

Look in Your Mailbox for Our New Catalog!

Our new catalog will be shipping out in the next few weeks, full of new products and the great selection of woodworking tools, supplies and information you've come to rely on from us!

If you do not currently receive our print catalog and would like to do so, please contact our Catalog Request Department or you may call our 24-Hour Toll-Free CATALOG REQUEST LINE:
(888) 500-4466 .