Hi, I have a number of red gum slabs. Some of the slabs are from "green" redgum wood (so its still got some moisture content inside i guess), and the other slabs are from dead fallen redgum trees (probably been dead and fallen for at least a few years. I'm hoping to use the slabs to make a dining table set, but I'm concerned that perhaps they need to be "cured" or something first before I can use them. My question are: 1. Do they crack? 2. If they can crack, how bad? 3. Is there a way you can cure them at home, rather than send them off to a commercial mill? 4. If you completely seal in the wood with a stain, or Danish oil, or varnish, or something else, will it stop the wood from cracking -- even if it is "green"? Thanks in advance for anyone who can help - 10 points for you! David

We just inherited a cherry dining room set and buffet from my mother-in-law. I've always used Orange glo, Murphy's oil soap, Pledge or Endust before to clean and polish wood furniture. But for whatever reason, this table gets a waxy buildup on it when I use any of those products (it is sealed wood, though I'm not sure if its shellac or varnish or poly) on it has a smeary, greasy look on it. Are there any other items I could try that won't harm the wood at all? Its not vintage, its a set she purchased at Ethan Allen about 5 years ago. Any ideas of other products or methods would be greatly appreciated. For the time being I've just been polishing with a microfiber cloth, but I would like to be able to polish it as well every month or so.

(having some fun, in a commercial way! lol) Bon Appétit With plates and knives and forks and spoons we set our tables, newly bright, fashioned right hoping to share a passion, to share our vision of how food, fresh and freshly made should entice Please, share our bread and wine and dine with us for what we serve comes from impassioned fire and is seasoned with the spices of life and soul So enjoy your meal or as we say: bon appétit!