Author: fitz

I recently learned my finishing mentor – likely he was yours, too – and friend Bob Flexner died at home on December 29, 2024 (read his obituary here). Bob was perhaps best-known for the book “Understanding Wood Finishing,” recognized by many as the bible of all things finishing, and as the long-time finishing columnist for Popular Woodworking Magazine.

That’s how I met him, when I was hired as managing editor for PWM in 2005. I was assigned his column to edit, and was warned that he was persnickety about every change; he was every bit as meticulous about his writing as he was with his finishing research and experimentation.

At first I was a little scared of Bob – but then I called to ask a few questions about his December 2005 column on spray gun maintenance, and we got into a somewhat spirited discussion about comma splices, misplaced modifiers and the like. After that, he trusted me to make minor grammatical and syntactical changes without his approval – but I usually sought his input and OK anyway, simply because I enjoyed talking with him.

When I was working on my first house, Bob was always delighted to wax prolific when answering my (probably) boneheaded questions about floor finishes, the best paint strippers, what kind of brush to use on this type of surface…. He’s why I know about blotching, bleeding and fish eye, and why I’m now pretty good at painting and brushing on shellac. And why I never trust a manufacturer’s application instructions (he’d want me to reiterate that neither should you).

After I left PWM in 2017, I’d email or call Bob every so often to check in and see how he was doing. Then in late 2020, I was hired to copy edit the third revised edition of “Understanding Wood Finishing” and the second edition of “Wood Finishing 101” (Fox Chapel). It was a joy to once again work with him.

I’ll miss our conversations.

– Fitz

Beginning Monday, March 17, we’ll be testing the waters for walk-in storefront hours. The plan for now – always adjustable – is to be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays…in large part because that’s about the longest stretch of being upright and active that allows me to not whimper in pain all next day.

We have a doorbell, and eventually, we’ll simply be able to scamper down the stairs from our editorial offices when it rings to help out any customers – so likely our open hours will expand when we can more easily take turns with said scampering.

This week, though, with Chris teaching a chair class (of all things!) and Kale helping out wherever they are needed, we don’t have the coverage. But starting next week, we’ll be there. So come see us if you need a book or tool! (I’ll be working out of the storefront during my hours – no scampering.)

The storefront is at 407 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 41011. And again, those hours will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

– Fitz