John Aniano in Central NJ
Hello Warren, et. al.,

In the most recent long "discussion" of cap irons, you posted the following:

"... I used to plane, scrape and sand. Then in 1976 I noticed that the scraper was actually degrading the surface. I used it one last time in 1977. In 1978 I realized that the sanding was also degrading the surface and abandoned that also. I also noticed that a cap iron too close yields a cloudy surface. I have finished straight from the plane since that time..."

Could you elaborate on this "cloudy surface" phenomenon you noticed? Was this after a finish was applied? Were most/all species affected? I do not doubt you experienced this, but I'm trying to envision why a close cap iron would make a wood surface "cloudy". Any idea as to what is actually happening to the wood fibers to make them "cloudy"?

Thanks,

John