Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
New Piece
RevDoug
>Thought I would share a pic of a piece I just completed for a challenge and trade. It is a spalted maple, 4"x4", potpouri bowl.
The challenge was to use a new skill or material to make a piece that could fit into a 4x4 box. For me, the skills needed to hollow were new. Used both a Sorby multi-tip and a Sorby hollow-master. Learn a lot and look forward to doing more hollow work.
Comments/Critiques welcome. They only make be a better turner. Thanks for looking.
Another shot
RevDoug
>Don't know how I got two postings. Anyway, just wanted to share another angle.
Bottom shot
RevDoug
>Finish is not quite complete. At this stage it only has 2 coats of Dainish Oil. Will end up with 6-7 coats. Pores should be filled by then. Two coats of wax will finish up the process.
And yes, I made a mistake and the screw holes are obvious. But, only whey you turn it upside down. 8(
Re: New Piece
Mike Schwing from Md.
>Looks good Doug. I don't have any experience with making things with this type lid, but it looks like you did a good job as far as I can tell.
Re: Another shot
Brad Vietje
>Nice, RevDoug, and some pretty wood, too!
Now that you've used your hollowing tools on a side-grain piece, do try the same sort of shape on end grain -- I find it to be easier, and wonder if you'll agree. It will also distort somewhat less, and make the drying process a little more predictable.
Safe spinning,
Brad Vietje
Thetford, VT
Re: Bottom shot
Barry Irby
>This is where you put it back on the lathe and turn a ring in the bottom and insert a copper wire or a ring of black dust (coffee grounds?)and "Screw holes? What Screw Holes?" Or just put a brass screw in each and cut them flush with the surface and polish them.
Looks great.
About your bottom
Jay in TX (formerly from Ohio)
>Rev. Doug,
Here's something to cover up that mistake if your bottom is thick enough. Reverse chuck (mechanical or friction) an turn a shallow dovetail recess ring in line with your holes. Fill it with a contrasting material (ie. powdered glitter and CA glue, Color tinted epoxy, contrasting sawdust and adhesive of choice). Let the fix cure and gently re-turn. Sand and finish.
I do like the brass screw idea above though, if you have enough depth in the bottom of the piece for them to get a good grip. I'd try to use a file to make them flush with the surface instead of a cutting tool (scraper) if there's not much holding them in.
Good Luck with the challenge/trade!
Re: New Piece
Chris K in MD
>Nice job,
Intestesting that I was examining my wifes "clay" potpurri bowl to see if wood would be OK, aside that the wood would absorb the fragrants its great. IE dont change to different mixtures or it might not smell quite right.
Nice job on the turning. HV are nice to rechuck not as difficult as a bowl.
Chris
Re: New Piece
Arch
>What an awful mistake, RevDoug. By all that's holy, hide those holes! They make the bottom of your bowl as ugly as the bottom of Rodin's Thinker, as repulsive as the bottom of Revere's pitchers and as nauseating as Whistler's Mama's backside. Think of what might have been without their mistakes. These blunderers are company you don't want to keep. Turn your bowl upside down, the top now the bottom, will be handsome and the bottom now the top, doesn't seem to matter.:)
With tongue in cheek, Arch
Re: Bottom shot
Barry Turner
>You certainly have a beautiful bottom. (That's what we tell one of the ladies at church. Actually, it's her creek bottom we are talking about........but it's good for a few laughs.)
Seriously, ever think about getting a chuck?
Re: Another shot
RevDoug
>No distortion here. It was bone dry long before I started this piece. Thanks for the good words.
Turn 'em round,
RevDoug
Re: Bottom shot
RevDoug
>Now that's a thought.
Turn 'em round,
RevDoug
Re: Bottom shot
RevDoug
>Just got one, but it is a Nova Compact chuck. I just don't trust it for hollowing. For smaller items it is probably fine. I just felt that this hollowing project would have too much stress to remain in place with the compact chuck.
A new, better chuck for the mini lathe is in the works soon.
Turn 'em round,
RevDoug
Thanks Mike
RevDoug
>
Re: New Piece
RevDoug
>Funny, I was reading it as meant from the first word. Thanks for the encouragement.
This project was a challenge with a time limit. If I had the luxury of time, I would most definitely fix it. Lots of good ideas here if I ever run into this issue again. However, it is like getting your knuckles whacked with bolts turned the wrong way in a dougnut chuck, you lean the lesson the first time. Hopefully it will be a long time before I make that same mistake again.
Turn 'em round,
RevDoug
Re: Bottom shot
tek-Brunswick, Ohio
>Here is an idea I picked up from a DVD. Mike Darlow's I think, but it might have been Raffan's. Use a Forstner bit drill 3 recesses in the bottom. Use one large enough to make recesses that will cover your screw hole with the edge of the recess and have them overlap in the middle. You have to drill one and plug it with contrasting wood. Then drill the next, because it will cut part of the plug where they overlap. The last recess will cut away part of the both of the other plugs. Put in your last plug and trim and sand the bottom. The three intersecting circles kind of look like a cloverleaf.
