sanding out little router burn spots in the Maple today, routing Mahogany is no problem but I burn Maple even if I turn the speed down, I think I just need some new bits
Nice sized fish. Alligator gar?
Meh, I should get out again. The mullet should be here by now and the bluefish right along with them. Most here don't seem to care for bluefish but I love the fight they put up. And gotta have respect for a fish that can chomp a mullet in half.
PS - Wonder if gar scales make decent picks? har har
not alligator gar just a gar, long nose i think they are called, plenty of mullet but hard for me to catch, caught one this year, bluefish? dont know what they are. those gar are armor plated, need tin snips to skin them but got a hella lot of meat
mmm....now I feel like eating pike 
Ahh, long nose gar. Wasn't quite sure from the picture. Bluefish are saltwater species that head down here in the winter months. They have a nasty habit of eating everything smaller than them. And maybe a few that are bigger. Steel leaders and ginger handling recommended. Had them snap at me when trying to get the hook out. Ornery buggers.not alligator gar just a gar, long nose i think they are called, plenty of mullet but hard for me to catch, caught one this year, bluefish? dont know what they are. those gar are armor plated, need tin snips to skin them but got a hella lot of meat
Ahh, long nose gar. Wasn't quite sure from the picture. Bluefish are saltwater species that head down here in the winter months. They have a nasty habit of eating everything smaller than them. And maybe a few that are bigger. Steel leaders and ginger handling recommended. Had them snap at me when trying to get the hook out. Ornery buggers.
BTW, that bead is gorgeous. Nicely done.
Reminds me - years ago my dad was fishing off a pier on Topsail Island, NC. It was not a productive day. Dad watched as another guy up the pier a bit finally caught a nice-sized bluefish. The guy was so happy to have finally gotten something that he kissed the fish right on the lips. Of course the bluefish shredded his mouth and chin before the poor guy could even react. Those are nasty fish.
On topic, stunning build as always! I love the pics with the rotozip or dremel or whatever, shows again that so much is in the hands and not just the tools.
used a little super 77 to stick some sand paper to a custom sanding block
sanded the sides
a little super 77 on the finger tip to hold the sandpaper
sanded more
sanded 60, 80, 120 down to 220 grit, blew 100 psi air to get the dust out of the pores, wiped it down with a damp rag and steam ironed the back to raise the grain and then brushed on a coat of sanding sealer
yeah
the flame is starting to pop real nice
I'll let it sit for a day or two and work on the neck a little
I like your upgrade to leather vs a towel on top of your bench. I think I will switch to leather. It does not hold the dust and debris a towel or carpet will. Plus it looks cool, even cooler in a few years, and will last forever. Again another great idea I am going to borrow from you. Awesome thread
