To Sap or Not to Sap: from
WoodCentral
"I'm making several legs for a settee. I am probably going to finish the chair in natural rather than stain it. Do you think the presence of sapwood in a chair leg would be detrimental or just a good accent?" — JL
Some said no, unless you can't avoid it. — Editor
"Seems to me that some light sapwood in just one leg of a chair might look odd." — John
"I agree with John that sapwood on one leg would look odd. If you really need to use the sapwood piece, I'd actually make the sapwood more of a design element so it was clear that I meant to use it as a decorative element, and that I didn't just come up short in my cherry stash." — Wilbur
"My personal preference is heartwood only unless the sapwood is going to be featured throughout. Not a defect, but always looks funny." — Steve
"I would probably use it if I didn't have anything else, but I'd orient the sapwood so it is not visible from preferred vantage points. IMO [In my opinion], it isn't a feature that complements the design. A little judicious sap stain would solve the problem nicely." — Ellis
"I'm with Ellis. I wouldn't use it unless I had no other option, then I would probably stain it, bearing in mind that the cherry will darken with age and the stained area will not. Even so, it is more a matter of personal taste. Mine just happens to run toward not using sap wood in my projects." — Lee
Some said yes. — Editor
"I would go ahead and use it. I look at furniture in the furniture store and think about how much wood was wasted to get all heartwood. I like the contrast, even if it is in only one leg. To me it adds even more proof of a handcrafted, custom-made piece. After all, you won't find that in the furniture stores. Go ahead and use it. It will be something you will be proud of." — Rob
"I incorporate sapwood in my work. The last time I did so, I wound up not liking the look. However, my wife and kids asked that I not change it. They liked it fine." — George
Then the original poster came back in and clarified where the sapwood was likely to appear. He showed a picture of a turned Colonial style leg with one large bulb on it. — Editor
"It looks like the tip of the bulb would be the only place the sapwood would show." — JL
"In that case, I think it would be insignificant." — George
Trading Blades: from
Women in Woodworking
A quick, simple question gets a quick, simple answer. — Editor
"Do Lie-Nielsen plane blades work in old Stanley planes? I have been using Hock blades and chip breakers. They work great and sharpen easily and stay sharp, but LN would give me another route. Will LN chip breakers work with Stanleys?" — Katherine
"The short answer is yes. A great many LN planes are direct copies of Stanley models, made with better materials and care. A quick call or email to LN can verify the fit of any given plane just to be sure. The folks at LN are always helpful." — Ralph