Vol.11 / Issue 6             Tennessee Valley Woodworkers             Editor, Richard Gulley                 June 1996

No more waitin’ & anticipatin’. The tenth anniversary potluck supper, smorgasbord, banquet, awards program thingy has arrived. The third Tuesday in June is the day and six pm is the time. Clear your social calendar and start planning what you’re going to bring to this once in a decade extravaganza.

The location of this great feast will be the fellowship hall at the Decherd Church of the Nazarene. To get to the church, go to the Co-Op in Decherd (41A) and turn into Decherd (right if coming from Winchester - left if coming from Estill Springs). The church is on the right at the corner of Fourth and Cumberland Street.

Did everyone enjoy Crocia’s fun ‘n’ games program? I see those hands. I’d forgotten how much fun sitting down with friends and playing a friendly game of _______ (fill in the blank) could be. Thanks Crocia.

As I look back on what our club was doing ten years ago I find myself thinking ‘Gee that would still make for a good program’. Tom and Susan shared their experience in pole frame building - Washington state style- in the May meeting and Phil Bishop conducted a sharpening clinic in June. I think it speaks of the basics of woodworking - sharp tools and a vision of the finished product.

For those of you that enjoyed Crocia’s mancala game (I refer to it as beans-on-a-board), here’s a version that Doyle sent to me.

There are over 200 variations of the game Mancala. One of these is called Ayo and it is a two player game. The large cups at each end are used to store the captured stones. At the stare, the board is placed widthways between the players and four stone are dropped into each of the twelve central cups.

The first player lifts all four stones from any cup on his side of the board and distributes them one by one in an anti-clockwise direction, the first stone in the cup adjacent to the one vacated. This is called ‘sowing’. Sowing requires: (1) the cup chosen must be one of the nearest the player; (2) the cup must be emptied; (3) sowing must start at the cup immediately to the right of the one emptied or, if it is the end cup in the row, the cup opposite it in the opponent’s row; (4) one stone, and only one, must be sown into each cup in turn- no cup can be ‘jumped’. Later in a game when a lifted cup may have a larger number of stones in it, the board may be circuited during a sowing. In this case, the cup that was emptied must be passed over - it is always left empty at the end of a turn.

Play alternates, each player on his turn emptying one of his cups and sowing the contents. When the last stone of a sowing is dropped in a cup on the opponent’s side of the board that contains either one or two stones (after the sowing, two or three), these stones are captured and are removed to the player’s store. If the penultimate cup also contains two or three stones (including in each case the one sown) and is also on the opponent’s side of the board then these stones are captured too, and so on provided the sequence is unbroken. Notice that a player may never capture stones on his own side of the board. Ayo is not a ruthless game. There are two rules that favor the loosing player. It is forbidden to empty all the opponent’s cups, even if otherwise entitled, if, in so doing, he is deprived of the opportunity to play on his next turn. Further, if an opponent is lift with no stones in any of his cups, the player must empty a cup that permits at least one stone to rest in the opponent’s cups at the end of the turn.

If neither of these concessions is possible, the player takes up all the stones remaining on his side of the board and adds them to his store when the game ends. The game can also be ended by consent when the two forces are so reduced that further play seems pointless. In this case, the players pick up the stones on their respective sides and add them to their stores. The player with the most stones at the end is the winner. If, during the course of a game, one player accumulates 25 or more stones in his store he clearly won the game and there is no point in continuing play.

A game of Ayo in progress is shown in Figure 1. White, to play, wisely picks up the stones in cup B and distributes them, one per cup, in the sequence C-D-E-F-a-b-c-d-e-f. Because there are now 3 stones in f, these are captured by White; the stones in e, d, and c are also captured by White, but not the stones in (a) because the sequence is broken by the 4 stones in (b) . White by his play has gained 11 prisoners. The board at the start of Blacks turn is shown in Figure 2.

Strategy Mancala games are games of pure skill. Choice is limited- at most a player has six possible sowings on his turn - but great foresight is needed to appreciate the ultimate consequences of a play.

If, at the start of your turn, you have a cup that is vulnerable (because if has either one or two stones in it) you may be able to avoid loss by adopting one of three possible measures; (1) emptying the cup and sowing the stone(s); (2) if the threatened cup contains two stones, emptying a preceding cup so that, during sowing, a stone is added to the threatened cup; (3) choosing a cup to sow from that will result in the adding a stone to the opponents cup that threatens yours, Thereby ensuring that sowing will overshoot.

I’ve found several gems while mining the Internet this last month. There’s an article on rust removal, a letter from a new woodworker, a few odds and ends and the ultimate disclaimer.

Doyle and I have also discussed the possibility of having a program on the Internet as it relates to woodworking. Let us know what you think about this topic.

Electrolysis is a standard technique in the artifact restoration business. I wrote this up for the Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association a few years back. Most of the tool collectors around here use it:

a plastic tub; a stainless steel or iron electrode, water and washing soda (NOT baking soda!!) and a battery charger. About a tablespoon of soda to a gallon of water. If you have trouble locating the washing soda, household lye will work just fine. It's a tad more nasty--always wear eye protection and be sure to add the lye to the water (NOT water to lye!!!) The solution is weak, and is not harmful, though you might want to wear gloves.

The iron electrode works best if it surrounds the object to be cleaned, since the cleaning is "line of sight" to a certain extent. The iron electrode will be eaten away with time. Stainless steel has the advantage (some alloys, but not all) that it is not eaten away. The electrode is connected to the positive (red) terminal and the object being cleaned, to

the negative. Submerge the object, making sure you have good contact, which can be difficult with heavily rusted objects.

Turn on the power. If your charger has a meter, be sure come current is flowing. Again, good electrical contact may be hard to make-it is essential. Fine bubbles will rise from the object. Go away and come back in a few hours. Rub the object under running water with a plastic pot scrubber. Depending on the amount of original rust, you may have to re-treat. The clean object will acquire surface rust very quickly, so wipe it dry and dry further in a warm oven or with a hair dryer.

The polarity is important!! The surface rust is being converted to metallic iron, so the process is totally self limiting. I have left things (by mistake) for several days: the water was largely gone, by electrolysis, but the object was fine. Reverse the polarity and your object is being eaten away!!! The rust will go along with it, but that's not what you had in mind, is it??

There are lots of variants: suspending an electrode inside to clean a cavity in an object; using a sponge soaked in the electrolyte with a backing electrode to clean spots on large objects or things that shouldn't be submerged (like with lots of wood)

The surface is left black. Rusted pits are still pits. Shiny unrusted metal is untouched. The method will cope with any degree of rust, from surface to heavily scaled.

Use plastic and junk iron for electrodes. For electrodes, I buy cheap stainless spoons at the flea market for treating small stuff in a dishpan and large iron things as electrodes in my trash can bath. The bath will last until it gets so disgusting that you decide it is time for a fresh one. There is nothing especially nasty about it-it's mildly basic-so disposal is not a concern, except you may not want all the crud in your drains.

One caution: Painted surfaces *may* be damaged.

On antique tools, I generally treat immediately with a hard paste wax, applied with the tool hot enough to melt the wax.( the oven or a heat gun is handy here)

Try it--it beats any other method, especially for antique tools, where that pickled look that acid gives totally destroys the value.

Ted Kinsey

Private replies: kinsey@uno.cc.geneseo.edu

Public replies: oldtools@listserv.law.cornell.edu

Hypermail archive: http://www.law.cornell.edu/listservs/oldtools/

When quoting, edit severely.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Well guys out there, here I'm again!!!

After few weeks away from this great group I'm typing again in front of the computer. Please excuse me for my poor English but it is not my native language. These past weeks have been terrible... I just finish with my thesis defense and I'm still tired... The thing I would really need to do is to be able to go back into my small shop and look at the old planes and listen to the estridency of the third hand Italian saw, to feel the silky surface of a well shaved piece of wood and to smell the wonderful aroma of raw Spanish cedar.... Unfortunately I still have to work in my studies, but someday it will be over...

Now I'm confined in this apartment a so little time... It is now that I realize how wonderful is woodworking. Since I made my first bookshelf I fell in love with wood, and since then the procession is endless. The Kitchen Table, the other one, toys, spinning wheel, kitchen cabinets, the crib. Of course there are and all those: Hi Otto, I was thinking of you... could you please make for me an end table just like yours?? The answer: well, once I finish with all the job I have at the office...

Woodworking helped me a lot... I have met wonderful friends and there is always a good and relaxing theme for conversation, I have that special place where to dream (and swear a lot), I have collected nice tools (not all what I need). Other things are also better; I have changed my drinking habits and I feel that my health has improved. Woodworking helped me into improve intellectual abilities in other fields (since it is not only art but also a great deal of problem solving.)

So, if it is so good for me shouldn't I spend more time in it and less time in the books??? Well, I have asked myself that question many times, but every time I remember that I haven't made a single penny out of it (besides the lots of money I've saved by buying tools...:_))

Excuse me for this senseless post but is just the mood.

Thanks, Otto

The following formulas may prove useful to you for determining various values within the workshop environment. If you have or know of one which you think belongs here, then please E-mail me with it, and I'll stick it on the list. Accordingly, if you find a formula to be in error let me know. Enjoy!

Of CIRCLE: Pi*r^2

Of SQUARE: a^2

Of RECTANGLE: B*D

Of OCTAGON: 2*d^2*tan.22 ½ degs. =.828*d^2 (where d = distance from side to side).

Of HEXAGON: 3/2*d^2tan.30degs=.866d^2 (where d = distance from side to side).

VALUES OF....

PI: 3.14159275359 (3.14 is normally considered to be close enough).

BOARD FOOT: Thickness (in inches) x Width (in inches) x Length (in feet) / 12

1 U.S. GALLON (water) = 8.33 lbs = 231 cu.in = 0.13368 cu.ft.

Conversion Factors

I find the necessity of the metric system in this country to be offensive. Further, I find the fact that it is being shoved down our throats by everyone intrusive to say the least. And, lastly I reserve the right to loathe the metric system. Therefore, in light of this, here are some conversion factors from metric to the good old English system we all grew up with....

1. Remove all metric bolts and replace with American

2. Buy a thermometer which only reads Fahrenheit and cease to care what a Celsius is.

3. When someone says some foolish thing like centimeter or other such nonsense, state you're

American.

I hope these conversion factors will assist you.

GLUE BRUSH TIP

Recently, I went to glue up a project and realized I was out of glue brushes. Instead of driving to the hardware store to buy some new ones, I decided to try an old tooth brush.

It worked great. The bristles pushed the glue around well. And the brush was wide enough to cover the entire edge in one pass.

Ken Ross

Grove City, Ohio

____________

"The opinions and ideas expressed herein are solely my own, - - and not those of my wife."

____________________

It doesn't matter if you don't go to school,

You *still* pay for your education.

________________

This article is a must if you’re worried about product liability. Just slip a copy in with your handiwork and you’ll be covered.

The Ultimate Disclaimer

If this doesn't cover it, .....nothing will!

This product is meant for educational purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. List each check separately by bank number. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Postage will be paid by addressee. This is not an offer to sell securities. Apply only to affected area. May be too intense for some viewers. Do not stamp. Use other side for additional listings. For recreational use only. Do not disturb. All models over 18 years of age. If condition persists, consult your physician. No user-serviceable parts inside. Freshest if eaten before date on carton. Subject to change without notice. Times approximate. Simulated picture. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance agreement. For off-road use only. As seen on TV. One size fits all. Many suitcases look alike. Contains a substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients. Colors may, in time, fade. We have sent the forms which seem to be right for you. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Not affiliated with the American Red Cross. Drop in any mailbox. Edited for television. Keep cool; process promptly. Post office will not deliver without postage. List was current at time of printing. Return to sender, no forwarding order on file, unable to forward. Not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect, error or failure to perform. At participating locations only. Not the Beatles. Penalty for private use. See label for sequence. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal. Do not write below this line. Falling rock. Lost ticket pays maximum rate. Your canceled check is your receipt. Add toner. Place stamp here. Avoid contact with skin. Sanitized for your protection. Be sure each item is properly endorsed. Sign here without admitting guilt. Slightly higher west of the Mississippi. Employees and their families are not eligible. Beware of dog. Contestants have been briefed on some questions before the show. Limited time offer, call now to insure prompt delivery. You must be present to win. No passes accepted for this engagement. No purchase necessary. Processed at location stamped in code at top of carton. Shading within a garment may occur. Use only in well-ventilated area. Keep away from fire or flame. Replace with same type. Approved for veterans. Booths for two or more. Check here if tax deductible. Some equipment shown is optional. Price does not include taxes. No Canadian coins. Not recommended for children. Prerecorded for this time zone. Reproduction strictly prohibited. No solicitors. No alcohol, dogs, or horses. No anchovies unless otherwise specified. Content's under pressure, Restaurant package, not for resale. List at least two alternate dates. First pull up, then pull down. Call toll free before digging. Driver does not carry cash. Some of the trademarks mentioned in this product appear for identification purposes only. Record additional transactions on back of previous stub.

This supersedes all previous notices.

Well that about wraps up another issue and I hope you enjoyed this months ramblings. Looking forward to seeing you all this Tuesday night and until then watch out for SPLINTERS.