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I acquired a lot of beautiful bowl blanks so I've been interested in seeing what they look like. It's been awhile since I posted a bowl but I have a few I would to share. This Camphor bowl is 6-1/2×3''. My first time with Camphor and what a surprise after starting to take off some shavings. It has a strong scent of Vicks vapor rub and I guess they use the extract to make other medical products. My eyes lit up like the moon . It's pleasant but after awhile it starts getting to me.
In pic 4 I rubbed on the first coat and it popped the grain nicely.
Finished with a mixture of Danish oil and lacquer thinner, 2 to 1 parts. You get a oil finish that dries quickly that way. 5 coats total and the last 2 were just the Danish.
It went through a 3 step buffing process after sanding to 6000 with micro mesh pads and the results were very satisfying.
P.S. I threw the shavings in my garden, they say it will help keep away bugs and critters. LOL. We'll see.

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Wow! That sure shines purdy, awesome job 8^)

I have some camphor burl veneer that has the same effect, I can't wait 8^)

Neat trick with the thinner/oil combo, I'll try it out since I'm tired of waiting for that stuff to dry.
 

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Wow! Look at that sine! I had to put my Makita sun glasses on to help with the glare! LOL! (inside joke between you and me) But anyway your Camphor bowl is so nice love the grain and color. My neighbor has two large Camphor trees in his yard maybe I'll go sharpen my buzz saw. Just kidding! Nice work Dave!
 

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Very, very nice
The grain pattern is really different, it looks like perhaps a crotch. Makes no difference, it is beautiful
 

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Thanks splintergroup. I used a piece of worn 220 sandpaper to rub in the first 3 coats of the mix. It helps lubricate when sanding and blends the dust to help fill in small imperfections.

That's a good one Tony. If the neighbor goes on vacation then----whatever. I'm glad you use those sunglasses for special occasions only, make me feel good and I got a big laugh. It's a lot of work getting a shine this way but I like the oil finish on a bowl. I never know how it will be used. This one may stay in my private collection for awhile.

Thanks Dick. I had that impression too as I was turning it that it was either part crotch or some burl in it but at least it ended up looking like it did.
 

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Beautiful bowl Dave, looks like liquid gold!
 

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gorgeous bowl dave and that finish is crazy good.ive turned pens with camphor,great wood when your congested.
 

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Beautiful finish Dave, must try that finish if I ever get motivated in isolation. We have Camphour Laurel wood down here and I like the small it puts into the shop. Great work on the bowl.
 

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Awesome Bowl!
The camphor is beautiful. And the finish is spectacular! Beautiful piece!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Jon
 

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Thanks Dan. I had to do a lot more buffing to get a shiny finish but I succeeded. I remember having a can of that stuff around here years back.

Pottz that sounds like a plan, keep some Camphor wood around and wait till you have a cold. My eyes would seem to get bigger and bigger but I swear 30 minutes later my sinuses were clearer. haha

Thanks Bob. I'm gonna look for another piece of that Camphor, it was a great experience working with it. Every time I walked out of the shop and in the house my wife would give me a funny look.
 

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WOW, that is a great bowl, Dave…both in the grain and the finish! I'll have to try that Danish and lacquer thinner.
No Lacquer at all?
where do you get camphor wood?

cheers, Jim
 

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Correct Jim no lacquer. But I did do a finish with lacquer and lacquer thinner the same way only about 1 part lacquer and 2 parts thinner. You know it dries fast.

Thanks Mr wolf. I had thoughts of giving this to someone but I changed my mid. I like it too much.
 

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Very pretty, Dave!

Just so I'm clear, turning camphor makes your head spin? Perhaps you've got the wrong bit on the lathe?
 

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Beautiful grain. Excellent job !!! Mel
 

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Dave I think you're right there was more than my head spinning but I was enjoying the buzz.
After seeing how well the grain showed up on this I really got into it.

Thanks Mel.
 

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That is really beautiful Dave.
I love Camphor. Had a green colour in one piece.

This finish is super.

Bob
 

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Well, I am with everybody else here, beautiful wood, great work. I am gonna go against the grain somewhat and say that this bowl was looking real nice without any finish too. I might have left it like that.
 

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It's gorgeous, Dave. But it looks more like Mulberry than Camphor. I don't doubt it's Camphor - you certainly got the smell. None of my Camphor has ever been that striking in appearance. (Note: The Camphor tree in the back yard that I said was gone? It's growing again.)
 

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Wow Dave that's stunning… beautiful work sir!!!
 

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Dave, that is Splendid wrapped up in magnificent. What a beautiful piece of wood and what an incredibly beautiful grain and swirl.
Great turning and the finishing and buffing is superb.

Cliff.
 
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