Good information. Remind me sometime, and I'll show you The Hand Plane Book. Take a look at most of our planes; you'll see I've done most of these suggestions to ours. I haven't tuned any of the frogs, but ours seem to plane well as they are. I have cleaned our frogs and adjusted them. Given more time, I'd like to completely over-haul one plane, complete with a mirror polish on the sole. Way over the top, but it would have to look sweet!
I've been thinking of building something similar to this. I think if it were made right, it could also be used as a taper jig, along with other things. Adding a few more holes could make this type of sled very versatile.
For those who are still getting started and those who have been doing this a long time, an online subscription is pretty worth while. I would still investigate the topic further outside of FWW, but they usually are right on with their information.
In a quarter sawn board, the growth rings of the tree are closer to perpendicular to the surface of the board than in most plain sawn boards. In certain species of wood, most notably Oak, this creates a beautiful visual effect.
This is that amazing fleck pattern from the medullary rays that so many of you comment on when you are lucky enough to find a flat sawn board with some of this in it.