In the Questions & Answers section of eZine 284, we had a shop teacher who asked some questions about door repairs his principal had requested -- and a woodworker who wanted some advice on lining coolers he was building. We had some heated responses to the shop teacher's situation. - Editor

"I have always enjoyed reading the articles online, but after reading Tim Inman's response about school door refinishing, my blood pressure just drastically increased. I was a janitor since 1979 and, for the last 26 years, have been head custodian. Myself and my staff and the shop teachers have always worked together for the students' education. I can see with Tim's comments why he is no longer a shop teacher." - Jerry Orlando

"I agree with Tim. I went to a Catholic high school that did not offer any type of shop class, so all I have learned has been from what I could read, watch on TV or trial and error. But this I do know: If I was in this class and every year the class was about fixing the school and not really learning woodworking, I would drop the class quickly. The school has maintenance people for these kinds of projects, not student labor. This is a class, after all, not a job. The instructor should have more respect for himself, his students, and the lessons to be taught and decline the principal's requests." - Ernie Mascarello

Cool Linings

Meanwhile, on a cooler topic, here are some thoughts on cooler linings. - Editor

"Hi there. I just thought of something that I thought might be a possibility for Kelly Riedel's cooler liners! I'm a custom home builder who insulates with spray foam. The spray foam tanks have to be about 20 degrees Celsius to be able to spray, so in order to spray in the winter time, I had to build a heavily insulated box that would keep them the perfect temperature with only a small heater. It worked out far better than I hoped, and I suddenly found myself swamped with orders for insulated boxes in all sorts of unusual places - such as an insulated bench seat for a horse-drawn wagon. Anyway, what I found works best for me is a spray-in box liner, the same stuff that protects many hardworking trucks out there. It can be tinted to any color, it's easy to apply, and it'll last forever in the comparatively easy life of a cooler!" - Matthew

"I make and sell coolers built with wood, and I use 1-inch Styrofoam® or similar attached with Titebond® III wood glue, which is approved for food contact surfaces by the FDA. I finish the foam with several coats of any good kitchen/bath latex enamel. I then make sure the whole thing has plenty of time to dry.Works for me." - Charlie Mitchell, "Charlies Boatworks"