1/4 is fine and what I make it to.

Moisture!

Are you sure that it's not wenge? Wenge certainly fits the description for splintering.


r2

Looks like most of those logs are coming from managed forests, where they cut a stand of trees that were all planted around the same time - not virgin forests that have all manner of different sizes of logs. Pretty impressive operation. I like the aerial view of things.

Garden shed. 16 penny nails. Hang by business end.

I put threaded inserts into the door frame and used 1/4-20 screws in each corner. You could probably do the same but may need to build the 1/2" up to 3/4" where the inserts will sit. Or epoxy a nut into a 1/4" deep cavity in the 1/2" door.

yes, it passes 6 months from now when you haven't sold anything else despite trying hard to do so.

Be careful if you plan to etch the floor using muriatic acid. As it works it emits gases that almost immediately cause cast iron to rust. It happens so fast you can almost see it happening.

IMO you should be able to tap the ebony. Holds an edge very nicely. If there are problems down the road, you could always drill and glue in an insert. Don't think you will need to though.

My only "On topic" comment is: Nice Plane! I love those old Unions with their thick blades.

Potentially off-topic: Union in some planes used a basic screw on the totes, with a tapered head. At its worst, it could split the wood. At its best, I think Lie Nielsen chose to do the same.... comments?