u/mbay7414

Worked on the shell today. I’m still not sure how I’m going to finish it. Open to suggestions. There’s a lot of deep areas I can’t get a towel in to apply or soak up a finish.

Shooting the first coat of clear on this hand-carved Western Red Cedar mailbox post. It’s still a work in progress, but seeing the natural grain snap into focus and the clematis flowers pop makes all the long hours worth it.

Firstly, thank you all in the community for following me along with this piece. I’m having a blast making it and sharing it with everyone. My wife is more excited to get it in use I think.
So yeah, clear coat will be outdoor water based Varathane I use on all my pieces. I’m thinking about how to spray it standing it up and make it so it can spin while I spray. I’m thinking nothing mechanical just a board from the wall with maybe a nail that will sit on the top of the post. What’s your thoughts, suggestions?

Hello everyone I’m back with an update on the carved mailbox post. Finished all the carving and applied a cedar sealer. I made a quick little video from the start to today. Thanks to all of who’s been following along with this piece, keep following its not finished yet! Have a great weekend.

Hey everyone,

I’m posting this here because our community relies heavily on our tools, and I don't want anyone else getting burned the way I just did.

If you have bought—or are planning to buy—any Ryobi tools on Amazon, you need to know this: Your 3-year manufacturer warranty is already void, and both Amazon and Ryobi are quietly profiting off the deception.

### The "Official Store" Illusion
When you search for Ryobi on Amazon, the listings feature RYOBI with the same pictures of the undeniable lime green tools some even say Sponsored Ryobi

It looks official. It feels official. Any reasonable person would assume they are buying directly from the manufacturer.

But it’s a lie.

Ryobi is exclusive to The Home Depot and Direct Tools Outlet (DTO). They do not sell on Amazon. Every single Ryobi tool on Amazon is actually being sold by unauthorized, third-party gray-market resellers (liquidators, pallet-flippers, and retail arbitrageurs).

### The Trap
When you try to register your newly purchased tool on Ryobi’s website, the system rejects it. If you call Ryobi customer service, they will tell you flat-out: "We do not warranty any items sold on Amazon."

- Amazon knows this, but they let third-party sellers use the RYOBI name because it drives massive sales, from which Amazon takes a hefty cut.
- Ryobi’s parent company, Techtronic Industries (TTI), knows this, but they refuse to force Amazon to take down the misleading storefront branding, nor do they require Amazon to display a clear disclaimer stating: “Purchasing from this listing voids your manufacturer warranty.”
- The Third-Party Sellers hide behind Amazon's system, selling "New" tools that are legally considered "Used" the second they flip them to you, leaving you with zero protection if the tool breaks.

This Is Deceptive Consumer Practice
If a retailer allows third-party sellers to list products under an official brand banner, and doing so completely strips the consumer of their legal manufacturer warranty, there must be a mandatory, bold disclaimer.

Right now, Amazon and TTI are playing a game of hot potato with consumer rights, and the buyer is the one getting burned.

Where to Actually Buy
If you want a warranty, do not buy Ryobi on Amazon. Stick exclusively to:

1. The Home Depot
2. Direct Tools Outlet (DTO)

Let’s get the word out so more makers, woodworkers, and DIYers don’t lose hundreds of dollars on unprotected tools.

Paging:
- r/ryobi - How is this still allowed on Amazon?
- r/amazon - Why is there no disclaimer requiring third-party sellers to disclose voided warranties?
- r/woodworking / r/woodcarving / r/tools - Protect your wallets, friends.

Hey everyone,
I’m reaching a breaking point with how this stuff is handled. We’ve all been seeing the massive hype over the last few days. Ross Coulthart over on NewsNation, Corbell, Knapp, Mellon—everyone in ufology has been talking about David Grusch and members of Congress standing on the Capitol steps today to finally kick off the actual disclosure process we've all been waiting for.
I am incredibly excited to see what they have to say, but when you try to find basic details on when or how those of us at home can actually watch it live? Nothing.
I find it deeply disturbing that something hyped up as the literal start of the US government admitting UFOs and aliens are real is this hard to track down. And the timing is wild—Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day movie comes out this Friday. My local Marcus Theater is even doing a special early screening this Thursday, June 11th, with concession scratch-offs. The cultural hype is everywhere, but the real-world event is a ghost town for info.
So this morning, I’m digging through the internet and wrestling with Google’s AI trying to get a straight answer on a live stream link. Nothing.
Frustrated, I actually called Representative Tim Burchett’s Washington D.C. office directly this morning. He’s supposed to be leading this charge, right? The staffer who answered sounded like he had absolutely no clue what I was even talking about. He sputtered for a second and then just said, "It'll be televised on C-SPAN." I specifically asked if there would be a live stream on any social media channels, and he just repeated the C-SPAN line.
Well, I checked C-SPAN’s schedule and their YouTube channel's "Upcoming Live Streams" tab. There is absolutely nothing listed.
How are we supposed to witness potentially history-altering news—that our lives as we know it are about to be shocked—when they can't even organize a basic public broadcast? Meanwhile, the entire mainstream media is completely jammed up obsessing over that UFC at the White House debacle.
Does anyone here actually know where or when we can watch this live today? Are we being intentionally locked out, or is Burchett's staff just completely clueless?

I salvaged some western red cedar from an old pergola, we need a new mailbox post so of course I have to make it special. It’s been a little while since I’ve carved so I thought I better do a practice piece. I’m really glad I did so I could find the right process and what the right bits to use. Yup all done with my Dremel 4300. The numbers I’m going to paint white one shot and reflective glass bead on top.
I’m curious if anyone else has done a deep relief mailbox carving before if so I would to see those pictures. Since starting this one I have been asked by several people that want one now too. What would someone charge for this? I have been searching on the internet and Etsy and haven’t found anything like this anywhere.
Having fun making sawdust!
Happy Mother’s Day to all you lady carvers!