I have used acrylic artist paint in the tubes diluted with alcohol in the past. It seems to work well and the alcohol doesn't pop the grain like water.
My experience with Poplar is the closer you get to the outside of the tree (bark part) the lighter the wood. When you get into the heart wood is where you get the multi colors of wood.
In the lumber business that is called C common white pine. Basic definition is no knots larger than 1/8". If you are buying that for the price marked on the tag that is a great price. That works out to be $4.40 per board foot. I was paying that for it 10 years ago.
The dream catcher is killer.
It is 2 short bread cookies with marshmallow cream between and covered in a glaze frosting. Available in Chocolate, Vanilla, Banana and an occasional off the wall special edition flavor. Very big in the southern USA. Not one of my favorites but well liked by most.
Looks like something that would be on finescrollsaw.com or Dirk Bolemans sight (sorry can't remember the URL).
Just remembered Theartfactory.com I think.
The Olsen crown tooth has always been my favorite blade. You have to learn when to change ends add not push them too far before you make the change. Yes the will track off in the opposite direction when you change.
Last week my local Lowes store was asking $8.17 for a 2x4x92 5/8 precut pine stud that weren't that great quality. Found them at the locally owned yard for $6.95. 8 precuts and 12 2x4x10 treated was 210.00 and change.
Board footage is figured on the rough stock size (before it goes thru the planer). A board 6" wide x24" long x 1" thick which will actually be 3/4" will be priced as 1 board foot. A board that is 6" wide x24" long x2" thick which is actually 1.5 inches will be sold as 2 board feet. Should also add that hard woods are sold by the 1/4 thickness. A one inch board is considered 4/4 a two inch board is considered 8/4 a 1.5 inch board before it is planed is 6/4 which would net you out to about 1 1/8" thick after planing.
I would go with the Hawk if it's not the one that had motor problems. Some of the Hawk owners like @kmmcrafts will chime in to let you know what to look for.