Opalite Turned Box

you makin pipe bombs jon ? lol.

nice box i like the fill.

-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Just wait till you feel the warm peace when you are covered in several feet of shavings 8^)

Good looking piece, you really are melding a number of techniques in one and doing a fine job to boot!

I agree w/the pipe bomb comments, you never know who is watching! (you paid cash, right?)

Great job, Overall form is reminiscent of Art Nouveau and I was wondering when you were going to incorporate the swirling colors of Impressionism into your work. (Just be careful with that lathe. We don’t want blowouts making you look like Vincent Van Gogh.) Thanks for posting. Can’t wait to see where your turnings experiments take you next.

-- Leafherder

Very nice job! You are right, turning is definitely addictive. Seeing your early work, you will soon be expert and hopelessly addicted. Keep it up and keep posting pics of your work. I think bug holes and small cracks can add to a piece. Somewhat spallted I would say.

-- Mike, Massachusetts

Thanks everyone!
Yah… last thing I needed was another tool addiction. =P
I bought the lathe for a great price and it came with a lot of tools and accessories but I’ve spent twice that already on more accessories. Its a new challenge and I have some ideas I’d like to play with soon. Yes Leafherder, I think the stone inlays will be a great chance for some added color in my work. I’m doing everything I need to so that I keep both my ears too.

The pipe fittings were bought a couple of years ago for a wormy mesquite box I was planning (with cash ;) I’m glad I finally got a chance to use it and I might need to go back and make that mesquite piece.

Good looking turned box! I’ve never managed to successfully turn a lid for a piece that I completed, so great job getting both the top and bottom done from the same piece. ;-)

-- Dave - Santa Fe

Nice piece

Boxes are a neat little project to make, nice work!!

-- John, Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada.

you never know who is watching! (you paid cash, right?)

- splintergroup

That made me spout diet Coke all over.

Jon, you are certainly adventurous with wood, and that is a good thing.

Like you crafty container.

-- Think safe, be safe

Beautiful work.

I like the immediacy that turning offers. A few hours at the lathe and there is a complete piece.
- MrWolfe

We used call it the “instant gratification machine.” It even makes sanding easier.

-- Mike (near Boston) ... Laziness is the mother of invention, necessity is the mother of exhaustion - me

Thanks Dave,
I got a PSI 4 jaw chuck for my lathe and that really helped with making the lid. It makes rechucking pieces fairly simple. Thanks Everyone for the compliments. It really is fun. Yah SteveN, made me laugh too =)
Mike, once I figure out the whole drying issue then I’m going to get a larger lathe. They are very fun to use.

Very nice. I like the Opalite.

-- Jeff,Tucson,Az.

Thanks Jeff.
I have some turquoise and malachite that I will be using also and I’m looking online for coral and lapis lazuli.