Spit-shine.

More work on the hardware. All the brass hardware is black and pitted after 70 years. So I bought a buffer from Grizzly to work on it this winter. First I bought a $80 "heavy-duty" 8" version from them, and as I should know by now, cheap stuff don't work. After 20 minutes it sounded like cold starting a 80's Mercedes Diesel engine.

Hats off for Grizzly, they took if back under warranty, and even refunded the return shipping. I could even upgrade to the $275 version. It has a 1 1/2 hp engine, long extended shafts and work like a dream. But, this is dirty work though.

Here's before and after pictures:

Mahogany story

After waiting 9 weeks, I got a reply back from the USDA Forrest Service on the type of mahogany I looked at in my mechanic's shed this winter. It is of the Swietenia family, a genuine Mahogany, like Honduras Mahogany. It does not come like a big surprise, as the grain pattern and color was much darker than Philippine Mahogany.

However, ML Condon Lumber in Stormville got in 4 bundles of 16/4 Philippine last weeks. As far as I know, this is the first time this has been available in the last 10+ years. So, I was there today to pick out my 16" wide by 15' long piece for my coverings boards.

It feels good to get the correct wood specie used original, though, I think the wood had a much deeper red color 70+ years ago. I guess it won't matter that much since it will be stained with a Walnut color.