Woodworker's Journal 2009-33-6, страница 12

Letters

Getting Our Facts and Figures Right

Phil DiMarchi doubted our diameters, and he was right.

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Um, How Big?

I appreciated T. C. Knight's article on the red oak species ('The Strong, Popular Type," August, 2009). But, I really jumped when he said some rare examples have been recorded with 20-foot diameters. I am something of a big tree fanatic and thought that 10 feet was nearer the record. Am I wrong? Are there really 20-foot-diameter red oaks?

I sincerely hope he's correct.

Phil DiMarchi Danvers, Massachusetts

WJ Responds: As a forester, I am accustomed to dealing in diameter measurements — circumference is of less use in my profession. So, when I found records of red oaks exceeding 20' in circumference, I habitually wrote diameter instead. Please excuse my error.

As a matter of record, the largest recorded diameter of any Eastern hardwood was an American chestnut located near Waynesville, North Carolina. At the turn of the century it was 17' in diameter or 53' in circumference. The largest recorded red oak is currently a large Northern Red Oak near Rochester, New York, measuring 33' 9" in circumference, or a little more than 10' 8" in diameter. The largest diameter of any living tree in the East that I am aware of is a bald cypress in Holmes County, Mississippi, which is currently 17' 6" in diameter.

— T.C. Knight

No Argument Here

I agree with Russ Veinot's letter in the August Woodworker's Journal. I have another reason to buy American. Several years ago, I bought a 14" band saw and a inortiscr from a major department store. I spent hours elongating holes and fitting parts so they were aligned. (They were made in China.) last Christmas I received a Bench Dog router table with lift and Porter-Cable router. In one hour all was assembled and aligned perfectly with no adjustment (made in U.S.A.).

I am not a novice; I started woodworking at 7 years of age and I am now 79.

Charles Dixon Tucson, Arizona

CarveWright Corrections

In response to "CNC Routers: Ready for Your Home Shop?" by Bill Hylton, in your August 2009 issue, LHR Technologies would like to

express our disappointment regarding the inaccurate portrayal of our products, the CarveWright & CompuCarve Systems.

The article incorrectly states the "Z-axis range of the CarveWright is a mere 1"." Actually the head of the CarveWright can handle up to a 5.5" workpiece with an additional 3.5" of Z travel. In addition, the workable area of the CarveWright is 14.5" x virtually unlimited.

Also, the author says in his piece that the CarveWright is the product of choice "if your interest is simply making signs, carving and/or cutting small parts," and he suggests that the Shark is the machine for "furniture making." In fact, many of our customers use the CarveWright to create furniture.

LHR has long considered Woodworker's Journal as "the source" for tool reviews.

Letters continues on page 14 ...

The folks from CarveWright found important errors in our article last issue.

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December 2009 Woodworker's Journal