Some spindle work

3/1/04, 5:02 PM #1

David Eaves
Guest

Some spindle work

David Eaves

>Hi there,

Here's some of my between centres work from a while back. The first is the unbiquitous table lamp, as I'm an electrician by trade originally it had to be done too. :o)

It was initially going to be smaller in height however I liked the piece of wood so much I ended up leaving it longer. This meant the base I had got for it ended up looking a bit small and silly. Any way I can swap it for a bigger one when I get round to turning one probably 1-2" bigger in diameter. Height of the stem is 18" the base is 5" diameter. Wood is English Yew.

Any input on the form is much appreciated.

Now for a slightly more whimsical piece. One of my neighbours on hearing I was turning, said "tell him if he finds some suitable wood get him to make a fire poker for me"

Well I had another piece of Yew that was quite knotty, and not really good for a lamp. Deciding it was good practice too I set about making one and a few days after saying it, I delivered a ceremonial fire poker! :o)

Both sanded to 400, then Friction Polish applied.

David

Re: Some spindle work

3/1/04, 6:00 PM #2

Mike Schwing from Md
Guest

Nice poker!

Mike Schwing from Md

>I like that poker! Right now I'm thinking about how I could stab my boss with it. Be a shame to get it all bloody though.

You've got me thinking about making one..and that damned flower, too. Argh.

Re: Some spindle work

3/2/04, 12:43 AM #3

David Eaves
Guest

Re: Nice poker!

David Eaves

>Thanks Mike,

Well if you put a laquer finish on it it might wipe clean :o)

Sorry to keep causing you problems.. I know there just isn't enough time in the day :o)

David

Re: Some spindle work

3/2/04, 2:30 AM #4

Mike Rubes
Guest

Re: Some spindle work

Mike Rubes

>Hi David,

That look good. I don't think the base is too small on the lamp, I think it works fine.

I like the looks of that wood, how was it to turn?

Thanks for the pics,

Mike

Re: Some spindle work

3/2/04, 11:18 AM #5

David Eaves
Guest

Thanks and about Yew

David Eaves

>Hi Mike,

Thanks for your nice comments. Maybe I will think again about the base size. I was hoping some more people might chip in.

Yew is a joy to turn. It is actually clased as a softwood but is pretty hard. It turns off the tool to an excellent finish. Planed cuts with a Skew bring a shine up really quickly. It takes the finshes easily. It accepts fine detail well and the contrast between the heartwood and sapwood is nice.

If you do get some, I'd recomend you wear a dust mask whatever. The dust really gets me, and I have read that it is quite nasty. Worth it though for the colour. This clock is from Yew and really shows the nice grain and colours you get.

Hope this helps

David

Re: Some spindle work

3/2/04, 8:08 PM #6

Don Orr
Member
Offline
3,243 posts

Registered: 1/2/04

Re: Some spindle work

Don Orr

>That is really SOME spindle work! The lamp is beautiful. That wood just "lights" up the whole project. I also think the base is not too small. I think it works just fine as long as it is stable. I can't imagine poking at a fire with that great looking poker though. The clock in the other photo is outstanding as well.

Where do you get Yew wood like that? I don't think we have it here in the Northeast.

Happy and Safe turning, Don

- - -

My name is Don and I'm a Turning addict. There, I finally can admit I have a problem. The problem is not enough time to turn! I work as a Medical Imaging Tech for a living but that's just so I can light and heat the shop and buy more tools. I've been turning since 2000 and it has changed my life. I never had a creative outlet before I discoverd Woodturning and now I can't get enough. After I turned my first pen, my wonderful wife saw how excited I was and bought me a mini lathe. She now refers to herself as a "Turning Widow". She is a potter and quilter so she understands the obsession. My interests in turning are many and varied and I'm sure I will not live long enough to try everything I'd like to, but I'll give it a shot. Unfortunately we don't have any children or pets so you'd think I have all kinds of free time to turn, but for some reason I don't. I belong to the Adirondack Woodturners Association in upstate New York, the Mohawk Valley Woodturners, the Old Country Guild of Woodturnes and AAW, as well as the Northeastern Woodworkers Association. (I'd also like to learn to do flatwork someday.) Happy and Safe Turning, Don

Re: Some spindle work

3/2/04, 11:47 PM #7

David Eaves
Guest

Re: Some spindle work

David Eaves

>Thanks Don for your nice comments, glad you like them all.

Yew has got to be one of my favourite woods, like you say it really lights up :o) The colour is so different to all the other common woods here.

As regards the base it is pretty stable. I go between to states of thinking it is okay and then too small. I didn't glue it so I can get it out easily I will probably turn a bigger base, and see what it looks like. I appreciate the opinions here, I might well stick with that size now.

For sourcing the Yew I live in the UK and got it from a mill here. It's quite rare here as there are not many trees around.. they got used for longbows many years ago. I think it is a native evergreen to the UK, and is also found through Europe. I'm not sure whether it grows much in the US. I noticed the other day on Russ Fairfield's site he was using some Pacific Yew for pens. I also saw some Oregon Yew once on a US turner's gallery. I guess that's the other side of the US to you though.

Hope this helps

David

Some spindle work

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