Hi Patsy,
My post was just a grumpy guy this morning without enough coffee in him.
I've had lunch now, and I feel much better.

: How terribly ironic since I did indeed slice the tip of my finger last night
: using my Japanese pull saw to cut an angle on a gunnel. Didn't lose
: anything but a few drops of blood, fortunately.

Sorry to hear about your finger. I honestly think the pull saw may be one of the more dangerous tools that we use regularly. I've got myself several times, usually because I was in a hurry.

: As a relative neophyte to power tool use, I certainly welcome the occasional
: reminder to be safe and not go overboard jury rigging tools to do things
: they may or may not have been actually designed to do. It makes me stop
: and consider what is really within my abilities and experience level. I
: also appreciate suggestions for how to use tools I already have rather
: than feel like I have to go out and buy one of everything.

I am sorry for assuming that most of the participants on this board have used most of the tools and should know how to use them correctly and safely. That's just not the case, there's a wide range of experience levels on this board.
But that feeling you get to go out and buy one of each tool, do it, you'll be glad you did.

: We can work as a team here and I think we do. One person can give us an idea
: for a new way to do something and another can pitch in with a warning to
: be careful. I don't think we need to chastise the first one for not
: thinking about adding a warning or the second for putting the kabosh on
: creativity. No need to take things personally, eh?

You certainly nailed it on this one. I took these comments in the posts that I was referring to way too seriously and personally and I shouldn't have.

: Scott, sorry to hear things are tough on the home front. Been there and it's
: not fun. Hang in there buddy.

Thanks Patsy, 10 months of Hell is actually a short time compared to how you're going to spend the rest of your life. We'll be fine, someday.

: Are you building a paddle or a piano there?

Very funny, this method is extremely neanderthal, but it works. Just an example to prove my point. This paddle has been finished and used for several years now. In fact, I've done three others like this and they all work quite well. However, I wouldn't do them this way if I owned a bandsaw.
I've never built a piano, they take too long.
Smf