It's still a pig's ear

Having a Yoda to guide you thru the complexities makes any project fun instead of work. I am blessed to have not one but two Yodas, Mark R. and Lou K. My workshop is not only equipped with thousands of dollars of tools, but has two wise teachers. My workshop: http://lumberjocks.com/wwbob/workshop

For about the past year, I have been working on the Doll Cradle project, http://lumberjocks.com/projects/40571. The design requires true 1/4” thick plywood. All the veneered plywood measures at least 1/32” under the quarter inch. The Yodas suggested quarter inch Baltic Birch plywood, fairly nice surface with true 1/4” thickness.

With each step, the Yodas made suggestions and minor corrections leading to a nicely cut out parts. With finishing, the Yodas suggested spraying, but I insisted on a stained finish. The Yodas suggested either shellac or sanding sealer for blotch control. I made tests with shellac, sanding sealer, oil based stains, and water based stains. The photo below shows oil stain tests. The other side of this board had the water based stain tests but was so ugly I covered it with blue lacquer testing.

When I express my displeasure with Baltic Birch and the results of all the tests, one of the Yodas said, “It’s still a pig’s ear.”

At first I was confused, but after thought I realized I was expecting the Baltic Birch to finish like mahogany or oak. I’m blessed with wise Yodas and a wonderful hobby.

-- "I like the quiet I hear." - Channing, age 4