Hmmmm. Yup. I would agree. But must point out that the magic soup is nice to have around when its a particular piece of wood or stone that has significance...perhaps a date carved in it, or graffiti from the owner or builder, or perhaps the last verifiable piece of wood from the original construction of a historic vessel. But Mike's magic soup is not replacing an entire system of wood or stone, it is making a repair. Repairs are good. Well, good repairs are good. Fair repairs are okay. Poor repairs should be done over. Kenneth Uracius? -jc On Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at 06:35 AM, Kenneth Uracius wrote: Arial0000,0000,8080So do we look at patching material for stone the same way (no offence Mike E) Arial0000,0000,8080  Arial0000,0000,8080Ken U Arial0000,0000,8080  0000,0000,0000-----Original Message----- From: "Let us not speak foul in folly!" - ][<On Behalf OfJohn Callan Sent: Monday, April 14, 2003 11:00 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Nailite? Times New Roman  Times New Roman0000,0000,0000Strange which emails I hang onto thinking that I'll return to them when time permits. Stranger still the ones I actually get around to responding too...long have their relevance has faded into oblivion. As well you know, what is wrong with it is that it is not history. It relates neither the craft of the tradesmen, nor the good sense of the designer or owner, let alone the lumberman and the millwright. It is an impression. You may as well build a foam core box and glue photos of a cozy farmstead of yore, if all you want is something that looks like something to folks who never saw the real thing in the first place. I got nothing against petrochemicals...when they become historic I'll deal with them...and perhaps even learn to appreciate the skills of the installers...if things have deteriorated to that point. If these things gain significance, if they become the elements of material culture that express our time, that will be their value. They will have value for this time. But! To replace wood siding or slate with plastic is an abomination. (Falsetto) Oh! but it looks the same and its affordable and isn't it lovely to save these old buildings! And it makes us all feel sooooooooo good that we didn't have to tear down old Mr Macgruder's place. BS! Save it or do not save it, but don't go providing cover and warm fuzzys to folks who haven't the spheres to do it right and bare the costs, or tear it down because it could not be done economically. I gotta go. -jc On Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at 12:17 PM, Ken Follett wrote: Times New Roman0000,0000,0000Replica siding.  Don't get me started. What's wrong with it John? It can't be any worse than plastic slate, can it? You got something against using petrochemicals in histo presto work? I like it when you get started... don't stop, please, we need you. ][<