Paul Fookes

Really like cover one but in keeping with your previous books, Cover 2 gives better insight into the content.  Cover 2 will look and feel like part of a set.

Edward Lye wrote:PSA. i always do this silly thing whenever anyone mentions linseed oil
We had a fire at my Alma Mater that destroyed some outlying industrial
arts class/workshops.
I believe the new teacher wasn't paying attention when they were
teaching his class about linseed oil.

Thank you Edward, this is an important reminder.  There is a general warning that finishing oils can spontaneously combust.
I think that any rags used for oiling should be soaked in water to stop this.  Personally, I place used oilrags in the fire so if it goes up, no problems.

John C Daley wrote:I think you have forgotten the important measure.
What is it like for riding motorcycles on the road!!
Everything else is really unimportant.

 Only if you like to ride - But driving may be an issue if you are not used to the conditions.

Hal,
The baler is fabulous.  The trial and error means you have a tried and tested product. If you put a plan on Permies, I would fork out some cash to buy a copy.
Looking forward to more projects.

I spent about 45 years as a nurse with specialties in operating theatre nursing and mental health nursing.  I had a concurrent job in the Australian Army as a nursing officer. Since retirement, I have been involved with a couple of community organisations as the secretary.  I devote time to permies and improving our 25 acres using permaculture methods.  When I first read Molison's Permaculture Manual, I didn't get it,  but through Permies.com, I now get it and am somewhat comfortable moving forward with more sustainable living. A 13 year old me joined the school conservation society and I have has some interest for over 50 years.

Our counter tops are eucalypt finished off with an oil base.  The stove is inset and runs up to the side of the stove. The stove is double skinned so there is no heat. From my experience, stainless steel gets scored and there is some suspicion n the literature that bacteria and gick can sit under the curled edges created.  Metal splinters also end up in the food.

We routinely clean our benches down with hot water and elbow grease. We use a soft brissle brush on the live edges and to clean the joints.  We then use olive oil or bran oil to buff up the surfaces.  There have been no problems since we installed the benched in 1986.  Wood is known to be bacteriostatic so stops bugs from breeding.  About 5 years ago, we pulled out the stove and kitchen sink and refurbished the bench top using a smoothing plane, sandpaper down to 240 grit and reoiled using a japanese plate hand burnisher https://www.quality-woodworking-tools.com/product/japanese-nt-sanding-plate-detail-sander/ I note that there are options to add to angle grinders now. These fill the grain with a fine paste of oil and wood.

Emirene Backues wrote:What a wonderfully diverse bunch!  I'm an ER physician and mom to 4 kids.  I would happily spend my time growing food and taking care of my ducks and kids, but I have too many bills currently.  Hoping to simplify life a bit in the future.

Welcome to Permies Emirene.  Unfortunately you are not alone with time constraints and bills.  We have other fabulous physicians here, so you are in good compamy.
I have needed to look at my balance carefully have set small tasks (which doesn't always work) to work towards my eventual goal.  Can I suggest that you get a copy of the building a better world book https://greenlivingbook.com/
and do small tasks which involve the children.  Looking forward to seeing your journey unfold.  We are all here to help.  Again welcome

John C Daley wrote:It just looks to be a very slow method.

It seems to me that when time is not an issue and the weather is good, it is a good form of exercise plus you end up with bales.

Artagnan Comus wrote:Thanks to the OP and all of you for sharing in this thread. A wealth of information for someone like me who’s still in the “dream” stage. I hope you guys have been successful in your endeavors and I’m excited to start planning my journey soon. I’ll be using this thread for inspiration.

Welcome to Permies Artagnan.  Best wishes for your journey.  We have been successful so far but the endeavours for us is much a journey still in progress, but never the less a fabulous one.  We look forward to seeing how your journey progresses.  The dailyish emails have a lot of great informatin and food for thought.  You can access them through your profile.
Cheers

We have an older cat that chews and scratches until the skin is weaping and then develops scabs that she licks.  We put some diatoaceous earth on her coat and it healed up everything very well.  It is safe to eat so no problems and adds to their calcium intake. Our method is to dip the fingers in the packet and use what sticks to rub in.  No tools, no problems.  Around the tail and front is very important.  If there are microscopic mites or secondary bacterial infections which are undetected, it will kill them and prevent reinfection.