[MrWolfe]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

 

[leafherder]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

You call it "fringe/rings/collars" I call it Balinese meets Cubism - looking forward to see how you carve/shape it as it looks great just the way it is. Your endless experimentation always makes me think - and smile.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[MrWolfe]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Thanks for the great comment. I'm excited to try the carving and texturing techniques so I will post an update at some time in the near future. Thanks for sharing your perspective!

 

[splintergroup]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Another fine looking collection! I admire the ability to work the interiors without blowing through the sides, something I've never tried but itching to put on my bucket list!

 

[pottz]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

a bunch of real beauties jon,and thanks for sharing that skew mod.

 

[MrWolfe]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Thanks Bruce!
I've made one funnel by accident (bore out the bottom of a bowl). I am now very careful about hollowing out forms and bowls and I use a nice set of Andre Martel caliphers to avoid blowing out the sides. Its a challenge to see how thin walled you can get a bowl.

Thanks Pottz.
I really enjoy turning on the lathe and making tools so I like sharing those tool pics, articles and pdf's when i can.

 

[DavePolaschek]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Looks like a nice progression, Jon. I've been taking some time off from the lathe lately, but once I get the plane for the swap wrapped up and shipped, I'll probably do some more turning. Good thing it's not a competition, because there's no way I'd keep up with you. ;-)

 

[MrWolfe]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Thanks Dave,
I've got a ton (literally) of wood so its nice to be able to work on a few projects and not worry about the price of lumber. Of course, I have to really worry about the price of lathe tools and accessories now =(
Can't wait to see what you do next!

 

[MrWolfe]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Here is an update on the collared Balinese/Cubist piece that Leafherder commented on above. After allowing the moisture content to equalize I finally carved and sanded the piece. I have just completed the coloring and the initial coat of polyurethane that also has U.V. inhibitors. The next step is to buff out the finish and apply a coat of wax.
I intend to add this to my projects when completed. I just wanted to update this post.

 

[splintergroup]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Interesting shape and I like the cool/warm colors!

Reminds me of an exotic tropical fruit for some reason, but I wouldn't consider eating it 8^)

Thanks for the update, always something unique to see!

 

[MrWolfe]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Thanks Bruce,
The cool/warm color transitions were fun.
I'll post it in my projects when it has a nice coat of wax.

 

[DavePolaschek]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

Fun, Jon!

Lathe has been sitting neglected, but I've only got one more bookcase I have to build. And one picture frame that will hopefully be done this weekend. I just need to find my glass-cutter to cut the glass to size. Or have the backup glass cutter I ordered on eBay today show up.

I'll probably try to fire up the lathe again around Labor Day, once my jury duty is done.

 

[EmAre]

More Adventures into Woodturning 4

Here is an update from a few of my latest woodturning adventures.
I've slowed down a lot in May due to a strained shoulder (probably tool related from lugging around a 45 lb air compressor). I still managed to prep some logs from an ash tree and some from a hackberry.

Some of these pieces I may have shared in the last blog post on turning.
They were not finished and I only am turning green wood so it takes time for the moisture content of the wood to equalize. There are a lot of lessons in these pieces too. How to minimize radial cracking on pieces turned with the pith (mostly don't turn pieces with the pith). How to process the wood. What finishes to use on the dry pieces. I'm continuing to add tools that I make to my collection also.

The air compressor will be used with an autobody reciprocating saw to carve pieces that I've turned. I also will use die grinders with it at some point. And it is very useful for blowing out the shavings from hollow forms. I've found that the shavings get compacted in the vessel very quickly AND they are hot so they dry out the form from the inside and this can lead to more cracking.

I am still experimenting with Renaissance Wax which is a microcrystaline wax. And today I tried using a parafin/synthetic wax blend called Enkaustikos Slick Wax (used for Encaustic painting).

Also also tried Howard's Feed and Wax (winner!!!)

and some of these pieces only have thinned shellac followed by Renaissance Wax.

Here are some pics…

The two above are pecan and the Renaissance Wax.

The following two are ash or hackberry (I think) They had some spalting but it was so wet that it began to mold more after I turned them and placed them in a paper bag with moist shavings. The bowl was spalting unevenly so I sprayed it once or twice with water to encourage the mold on the less affected side.

This is a GREAT skew tool styled like Alan Lacer shapes his skews. I made it for around $14.
And next to it is a cheap but very effective parting tool I made.

And here is the amazon link the hss tool blank I bought to make it.

This is a link to a great article how to shape your own skew in this style.

That is basically it for now.
The unfinished piece with the fringe/rings/collars is the one that I will be carving and shaping. The vase in that grouping isn't quite finished yet. It has a few coats of tung oil and I will put one of the wax finishes on it when it cures. It is a salvaged piece with the pith that cracked radially… badly. I soaked it in water to swell up the cracks and then applied c.a. glue before drying it a second time. Not a success but much better than before. I may play around other techniqes such as inlays or texturing to fix it but I also just want to avoid that in the future.
Comments and criticisms welcome as usual.

MrWolf, great pieces. I am astonished at the apparently symmetrical shape of your pieces. I turn green wood out of preference because of the unforeseen results. I try to turn a piece in one session down to thin walls, less than 1/4" then wrap the piece in 3 brown paper bags. I live in Victoria BC so I'm sure more bags would be required in a drier climate. I check the piece each day for weight and cracks. The weight to see when it is finished drying and the cracks to be fixed with CA glue. In some cases the cracking can controlled by adding bags but some woods just crack. Holly is a good example. After the piece is dry I do a final hand sanding and finish with Osmo Top Oil.
The picture shows a piece of spalted Holly.
.