The Critics Raved
“If I were to be asked to improve this eZine’s contents, I would have only one comment: Make it longer!” – Brent Rider
Another Take on Wally World
“I have always taken “Wally World” to refer to Wal-Mart.” – Thomas Haffey
You’re not alone. At least three others wrote in to say that they use the term Wally World to mean Wal-Mart, which is a good reminder that Internet slang may mean different things to different readers. – Editor
PVA Revealed
“I love the eZine; keep up the good work, but I have a question. In the item from England it suggests to ‘let down PVA with water.” What does PVA mean?” – Dan Moran
PVA stands for polyvinyl acetate, the technical name for common white or yellow woodworker’s glue. Titebond, for instance, is a PVA. – Editor
Headphones, Tunes, and Noise
William Congreve said “Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,” but apparently, not every “savage breast” is soothed by music’s charms. – Editor
Using radio headphones, or listening to anything via headphones while working with power tools, is just plain stupid. You can’t hear the tools talk back to you. Are you straining the motor? Is something rattling loose that you can’t see? Is someone behind you that you don’t see or hear? Hearing protection should not block out all outside noise by replacing it with something else.” – Jim Hilson
“I am concerned about the safety of using ear buds under hearing protection earmuffs. Drowning out unpleasant noise with music just adds to the noise exposure. I was disappointed that your article provided no actual information about hearing protection and isolation levels.” – Kirk Mathews
It was not an article, Kirk. It was simply a reprint of a thread that appeared that week on a popular woodworking forum. In the WebSurfers’ Review section, where that appeared, we collect interesting threads from Internet message boards to give you insight into what’s being talked about online, but what we reprint, as the common disclaimer goes, “does not necessarily reflect the views of this paper.” – Editor
Reclaiming Flooded Tools
An online thread helping a Katrina victim recondition her tools evoked other similar tales, advice, and commentary. – Editor
“When my cousin’s shop went through the 100-year flood, I helped him clean and repair his tools. I had to literally flush out all of the motors with a hose and then replace all of the bearings. I tried to flush the bearings and then re-pack with grease, but the motors would vibrate so much that replacing the bearings was the only answer.” – Rod Skare
“My hat is off to The Router Lady for the encouragement given in her response. I could not have given better advice myself.” – George Pelletier
WMH Tool Group
An interview with WMH Tool Group, which includes the JET, Powermatic, and Wilton brand names, spawned a number of comments and questions. – Editor
“Unfortunately, they don’t make a PM2000 with a right tilt. I really want a Powermatic, but the right-tilt issue leaves them out.” – Rich Flynn
JET, another brand division of WMH, does make a right-tilt cabinet saw, if that is any help. – Editor
“The country of origin of each tool wasn’t mentioned. Is the new Powermatic saw still made in Tennessee? I feel JET makes excellent products overall, with well done quality control and packaging that far exceeds the rest of the industry. However, the elimination of domestic production doesn’t bode well for the American woodworking industry.” – Lou Nachman
Some, but not all, Powermatic tools are still made in Tennessee. – Editor
“They started in Tacoma, Washington. Are they still manufacturing there?” – Jon Brentin
JET started in Tacoma, but never manufactured there. They were initially an import company, bringing in tools from overseas. Tacoma was an ideal choice because it is a major port for shipping from the Pacific Rim. By the way, the original JET building, which still has the name painted on the brick exterior, is fast being engulfed by the rapidly expanding University of Washington Tacoma campus, where this editor’s wife is a student. – Michael Dresdner
Typo Corner
“What is convection varnish?”
Our guess is that it is a type of conversion varnish that conducts heat. – Editor
