Baren Digest Wednesday, 11 April 2001 Volume 15 : Number 1385 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Cucamongie@aol.com Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 09:50:06 EDT Subject: [Baren 14144] wood Marco, have you used the "all-shina" from McClain's ? It is vastly better than the plain shina-ply - check it out if you haven't already, many members on this list, including me, use this wood all the time and it works fine! Sarah ------------------------------ From: Cucamongie@aol.com Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 09:52:03 EDT Subject: [Baren 14145] more on wood Marco, also, have you considered that part of the problem may be in your carving technique itself?? You don't have to cut incredibly hard or deep into this type of wood, maybe you're over doing it! Also, make sure your knives are sharp each time you use them. I don't mean to offend you if these have already been considerations, just thought I'd mention them- Sarah ------------------------------ From: "Kinzua" Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 10:32:18 -0400 Subject: [Baren 14146] Re: Baren Digest v15 #1384 Damp paper and presses Barbara, Thanks for sharing your tips on dampening paper and printing from one end of the press. I've been experimenting with different printing methods. I only use water base ink and have usually wet the paper. I've tried some printing on dry paper on the press with mixed results. Still have to figure out the right pressure, and of course every paper is different. Like the idea of using old towels to blot the paper. Those big blotters are always getting in my way and getting dirty. I enjoyed visiting your site, Carol. Love the freedom you allow yourself in the editions, changing each one, moving things around. Karen http://homepages.msn.com/timessquare/kfberkenfeld/ ------------------------------ From: flint Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 08:31:59 -0700 Subject: [Baren 14147] RE: Shina Wood In response to the various 'brands' of shina wood... I've been buying my shina plywood (5-ply) from Hida Tool Company in Berkeley. Good top layer for carving and if you do get into the second layer, it too cuts well. You won't even notice that it is a plywood. It tends to be a bit pricey, but I feel that it cuts better than any thing else I've tried. My only observation towards a negative mark is about the grain. Working with the grain in one direction may be different when flipped around 180 degrees and working with the grain in that opposite direction (does this make sense?). You can tell that the grain slightly rises on one side and dips on the other. You just have to read the wood and design accordingly. This is a minor quibble and not a huge black mark against it. I too tried the McClain's 5-play shina and was greatly disappointed. The top layer is okay, but too thin. The second layer is a doozy as it crumbles and it too 'veiny'. I ended up forcing the tools which can be dangerous and prone to errors. The only reason I bought the wood was because it was cheaper. Any one want some 5-ply shina ;-) I can't vouch for McClain's solid core, but I'd imagine that it is better than the plywood. ___________________________________________________________ Flint Hahn http://www.xmasons.com "A personal journal depicted through woodblock prints." ------------------------------ From: Sunnffunn@aol.com Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 15:42:19 EDT Subject: [Baren 14148] Re: Shina Wood I got my first wood from McClains yesterday. It is not spendy at all to get the solid core stuff. As I am trying wood for the first time she highly recommended the solid shina. Said for me it would cut closer to the linoleum. The cost is not that much higher to get the solid pieces???? My ownly problem was I ordered such a small amount my postage was more than my order. But if it workds i will be looking for good wood so I cna carve more. marilynn ------------------------------ From: heather nichols Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 20:53:02 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Baren 14149] slow snakes at my house yes I am one of the slow ones... my snakes are slow to slither. The paper is cut the block is done... the hopefully soon will be slithering slowly, but smoothly towards all of you. I have enjoyed all the snakes received! I would never miss the chance to let you all enjoy mine too! Heather ------------------------------ From: "Jean Eger" Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 09:49:37 -0700 Subject: [Baren 14150] wood Hi Marco, Nice to hear from you. You can get a regular basswood plank from MacBeath Hardwood in Berkeley. As you exit from the freeway on Ashby, I think, it's on the right hand side a few blocks up. It's my understanding that shina is actually basswood plywood. You will have to either sand or plane the basswood, however. It doesn't have the smooth surface that the McLain's shina has. Otherwise, non-heartwood cherry is suggested. Jean Eger Womack http://www.jeaneger.com ------------------------------ End of Baren Digest v15 #1385 *****************************