Mike Stoffo's Page

"Tim: I think  a new thread is in order - I'll post something . Jane"

"Jane, I'm very interested in this book you mentioned. Tell me about your architectural library.   Most of the books I have are on "Mckim, Mead and White", and the Arts and Crafts Movement". Although most of the buildings I…"

"I don't think a picture would tell you much because they look fine.  We didn't even know they were loose until we started working on them.  The clapboards 'rock' like a rocking chair; up and down, not end to end, so I…"

" a froe is the tool used: "a  cleaving knife with the blade at right angles to the handle" .  You would need an unabridged dictionary or a specialized book to find a definition. Edwin Tunis who wrote and illustrated…"

"I've been restoring historic homes for 26 years....and have seen all kinds of clapboards. All the original(as I can tell) have always been smooth side out, hand planed, most likely pit sawn. But a better way to date the clapboard might be in…"

"Ok, I've looked the word up in the dictionary and it doesn't even recognize it as a word.  What does 'froeing' and 'froed' mean?  Also, I don't remember clapboards being loose when I was a kid.  They…"

"So. I'm curious. which red did you decide upon?"

"Beautiful work"

"Beautiful Greek Revival Entrance"

"The acrylic latex Ben Moore floor paint I've used is glossier than the Sher-Will. There probably are other manufacturers out there too, but I haven't used them in a long time."

"I confess: I'm mostly switching to water based paints; even on floors. So far I've had good results with the B. Moore and Sher Will floor paints. They have a nice gloss, too. No customer complaints either, so... As far as oils, yeah, I…"

"When you guys find out what this is, I'd love to know. When gutting old houses, I've encountered piles of this stuff equivalent to literally GALLONS. It's pretty gross when you rip down a lath and plaster ceiling and a couple cubic…"

"I'm a firm believer in proper preparation of the substrate and as perfect as possible application conditions. Clean it really good with TSP diluted in warm water. Make sure all the wax and dirt is off. When dry scuff it with maybe 100 grit…"

"Linssed Oil paints were glossy. The flatter milk paint or water based paints back then were used maybe on plaster walls. But woodwork and floors were most likely always the more more durable (and glossy) oil paint."

"In the Reds my favorite is Sherwinn-Williams "Fireweed;" in the same genre is Benny Moore "Cottage Red" and "Classic Burgundy.""

"Here's a paint resource that'll blow your mind. Check out some sources in the bibliography. http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief28.htm And when you find the answer to your question, please share and post. You are very…"