What am I doing? Inventory, Saturday 7:00a to 12:55a Sunday morning. And I'm back at 7:10a still Sunday morning to finish the first of what will be two inventory weekends.

I need a career change.

Hope you're doing something fun.

Waiting for my new cab to show up. Probably will be here in the next couple of days.

_________________

Still looking around for my retirement after 6 years of house and yard work. Presently, I'm in kitchen reno mode scraping, patching, and sanding walls for paintable wallpaper which I have yet to do before the Pros lay the floor where I get to reinstall the mouldings for completion.

I haven't seen the kitchen table in sometime, and my man cave misses me. (I had more free time when I worked). I think I have a Strat and amp, amongst other gear somewhere in the dungeon. Lately, the music toys have gone missing. Oh well, that's the Twilight Zone.

_________________
Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Watching the Dolphin - Eagle game.

_________________
"Electric Lady"

I remember you were trying to stain your cabinets awhile back. How did that turn out, by the way?

_________________

Thanks for asking, Paul. I now know why the carpenter I hired to retrofit the cabs (not enough depth, hence stained side panels required) for a dishwasher decided to opt out of the stain job. I was fortunate to have woodworking, metalwork, electrical and drafting shops in my highschool. My carpentry skills are okay but a lot of it goes back to hand tools aside from what I've picked up on my own and there are times when an expert who does it on a regular basis comes in handy. Still, it's rewarding to do what you know.

First off, yesterday's mahogany may not be what's readily available. Even if it is, what kind is being matched? Honduran, Cuban or ? If one doesn't know what the original is, what option will suffice? Filipino mahogany might come under different names (think Luan for one) , and yet it and other mahogany of similar variety comes in different grains and shades. Then to match the existing stained wood there are different manufacturers of stain, what is available and what was may change along with choice of wood stain colour. Just because red mahogany stain is available, perhaps the shade is wrong and needs tweaking, or perhaps the stain isn't mahogany at all; perhaps, it is walnut or provincial or whatever. Then should the wood be sealed prior to staining? Tip: It is general consensus to not seal mahogany and many other hardwoods. Water can lift grain and is desirable for some effect but it may be decided to not do it. Pre-sand or don't, sand between coats or don't, sand after or don't. One thing for sure, many use fine steel wool for smoothing the finishes, while others warn of fine steel particles causing rust coloration in the future.

I could go on but that pretty much says it. Staining an original is one thing, but matching is a whole different game. After making about twenty passes for experiment using all the methods above, more or less coats, brushed and rubbed, I ended up no precoat, getting Sherwin Williams Interior Wood Classics (black, maroon, deep gold) stain to a close match, three rubbed in coats and one varathane rub. I know other stains, woods, and methods are available, but sometimes you gotta jump in and just do it. I got the carpenter's approval and he works for a large cabinet company so I guess I passed the test.

_________________
Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

At least you were able to find something that works out. I've never attempted anything like that, myself. The most I've ever done was painting, but then again, I don't ow my own house. Maybe someday that would be nice.

_________________

Hi Paul:

Not owning a house does have disadvantages; but, having shared roommates, lived in many apartments, and rental houses, I can say there are advantages there as well.

I never understood why friends couldn't go to a function or visit when they were tied down by house and yard chores, etc. Shoveling snow also sucks. Now I get the picture. But, it's nice to have a man cave of my own and a fenced in yard.

If you get the opportunity to be a home owner, be sure to bring a tool kit and a cheque book and be prepared to find things you don't expect to spend your entertainment money on.

Cheers!
FSB

_________________
Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Yeah, it's like anything else. There's a positive and negative to it. I think the positives outweigh the negatives, though.

_________________

Watching Monday Night Football; Texans @ Bengals.

_________________
"Electric Lady"

you wouldn't believe it if I told you

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Aw. . . Cmo'n Rollie, give us a shot.

FSB

_________________
Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

FSB , talked me into saying that I watched kill bill 1&2 for the 'leventeenth time, sad and embarrassed

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Watching Independence Day.

_________________
"Electric Lady"

Thanks, for cooperating, SBLS. I for one believe ya. Good choice. But, 'leventeenth time? Whoo boy, I think Bill deserves to be done in. As for Uma, well that's a different story. FSB

_________________
Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.