Erroneous radius
The radii of the cutouts on the sides of the Simple Wall Shelf (Jun/Jul 2023) were incorrectly stated in the drawing. The top scoop should have a radius of 4-1/4" and the bottom a radius of 5".
Farewell to a friend
Bill Sands, an expert woodworker and friend of the magazine, died in April. Over the years, he designed and built more than two dozen projects, wrote articles, shared tips, and consulted for the magazine. Bill was generous with his wisdom but always ready and willing to learn new techniques. His legacy lives on through the knowledge he shared with us.
A different angle
The photo caption labeled “Crosscut test” on p. 51 of Crosscut Sled (Jun/Jul 2023) incorrectly stated that the gap created after test cutting and flipping represents half of the angle error. That caption should read “any gap represents twice the angle error.” It seems that half right is still all wrong.
Osage wisdom
I was surprised to read that Osage orange was the densest North American wood (Woodsense, Dec/Jan, 2023). I remember hearing that persimmon was the densest. Then I noticed you quoted Osage’s Janka rating. The Janka scale measures hardness, not density. I found that Persimmon comes in at a whopping 52 lbs./cu.ft. Osage orange is a not-too-shabby second at 48.
—Mark Funk, Uniontown, OH
Contributor Robert J. Settich replies:
I consult many sources in gathering Woodsense data, including Eric Meier’s Wood! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide. Meier’s data shows 54 lbs./cu.ft. for Osage orange, compared to 52 lbs./cu.ft. for persimmon. The Janka numbers—measuring resistance to denting but widely used as a shorthand for wood toughness—are 2760 for Osage and 2360 for persimmon, while their specific gravities at 12% moisture are 0.83 and 0.86 respectively. Osage orange rates higher in several other strength properties as well. But regardless of the numbers, each species has its own attributes; exploring them numerically is interesting, but working with the actual material is even more rewarding.
Amps to share
Power tool manufacturer Fein has joined the AMPShare alliance powered by Bosch Battery Systems. AMPShare makes more than 300 tools from more than two dozen manufacturers compatible with Bosch’s powerful and reliable 18V batteries and chargers. Multi-brand compatibility allows woodworkers, DIY-ers, and industry professionals to purchase new tools from a variety of brands without buying new batteries or chargers. Bosch and Fein say they expect more brands to join the AMPShare alliance in the future. Visit ampshare.com for more information on compatible brands and tools.
