Last night, UPS delivered my motherlode of hide glue. Fifty pounds of 192 gram strength granules. I figure the discounted cost, rate of consumption, and years of work left ahead of me justified such a purchase. I figure in about 20 years or so, I will be holding back sentimental tears as I soak the last few granules from the supply.



My purchase was from Eugene Thordahl of Charlotte, North Carolina. Many in my professional circle view Eugene as an invaluable resource of knowledge and glue supply. If you are looking to pick up more than a pound at a time, I recommend you contact Eugene at info@bjorn.net. You can visit his website here > www.bjorn.net

Now, to get back to work... I've got some glue to cook.

Last week, heading down to Portland with my wife, I had the privilege to stop by East Point Conservation Studio in Brunswick, ME. Having visited Jon and his assistant, Carter, previously, I was very impressed. It is an honor to be able to begin a friendship with two of our state's most talented craftsmen.

Jon's beautiful website (eastpointconservation.com) relates, "Jon Brandon, founder of East Point Conservation, has over 26 years of experience in the conservation of wooden artifacts. Jon is certified by the Smithsonian Institution as a furniture conservator and trained at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston for two years. He is the former Chair of the New England Conservation Association and is a professional member of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)."

Carter's excellent site (submusicworks.com) tells, "After college, I enrolled in the violin repair program at Red Wing Technical College in Red Wing, Minnesota, and then their guitar repair and building program under David Vincent the following year. Not long after that, I came to Maine to work for Dana Bourgeois Guitars. After putting in my time there, I eventually struck out on my own: Subterranean Music Works was born!"

I highly recommend you visit their sites and, if you are in the area, seek them out for their services. Here are two skilled and competent craftsmen of the highest order.

I recently received this drawer into the studio for repair. During transit, the half blind dovetails were fractured on one side. Here is a brief photo collection of the repair process.















Grafting a new piece on, chopping out the pins.











Fit and inpainted.

I just have to share this... If you have not seen Chris Schwarz's "10 Reasons NOT to Use Liquid Hide Glue for Furniture" post at Popular Woodworking, you must. It penetrates beyond the controversy, provides clear and succinct argumentation with a logical foundation that exceeds most other essays on the topic. I highly recommend you read it and take it in.

Be enlightened: Schwarz's Ten Reasons

Translated "With Sails and Oars". It describes going "all out" or "pulling out all the stops" to accomplish a feat. The imagery is vivid: Sails up, oars in, doing all you can to steady the course. Velis et Remis, thes