Learning the Turning # 26

Kwila Bowl

Kwila (also known as Merbau) grows in South-east Asia, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. I don't know where this particular piece came from, other than the woodworking show at Caulfield racecourse that happens once a year.

It's something of a coarse-grain timber, almost grass-like in its end grain.  I rather like it, and will keep my eye out for more when I see it.

This lovely piece is already spoken for by my daughter, who says it would go nicely with her new table.

Learning the Turning #25

Extra-Flared Chestnut Bowl

Chestnut is a difficult, but rewarding timber to turn.  It's quite hard, can be a bit unbalanced, and I'm not sure just how tough it will be, despite the density.  Could be just the moisture content in this piece, though (and I'm reminded that moisture meters aren't really very expensive).  Be that as it may, it is a very warm, traditional wooden colour and the grain is really quite swoopy and nice.  I'm hoping not everyone will see the remaining tool marks (two days to sand -- really?)

Anyhow, I finished this one this morning and snuck it on to m'lady's desk for viewing.  I hope she likes it.

Learning the Turning - Table #1

Learning the Turning -- Table #1

Solid Jarrah coffee table

I haven't posted any new bowls in a while, because I was working on learning how to make furniture. In this case, a coffee table for my youngest.  She needed a coffee table because her apartment didn't have one, and because long ago I made a doll house for her older sister, but never got around to making one for her.

Jarrah is my favourite wood, and i have a lot of favourites.  It's hard, it's heavy, and it's tough.  It also takes a polish up to mirror levels before you apply any sort of finish to it at all.

This one was finished with Cabothane Clear, a polyurethane based clear coat.  The top has six coats of it, wiped down with mineral turpentine after each application.  The top is biscuit-joined, and the whole thing is glued together with slow-cure, extra strength Araldite two-pack epoxy resin.

If this piece of furniture were part of a role-playing game, it would have Serious Stats.

(If anyone wanted one just like it, figure ~$A3k with a $500. deposit. Lots and lots of hours...  Freight would be extra -- it's about 25kg.  Like I said, Serious Stats.)