Learning the Turning Nos. 11 and 12
#11 is just a local hardwood, Ash if I can remember correctly.
#12 is Blackwood, (Acacia Melanoxylon - I remember that from some furniture we bought in Tasmania way back when.)
Blackwood is beautiful. It's also rather heavy, and I learned that you want to have a slightly larger mortise for the chuck to grip, as it will vibrate a bit if you don't. This one, while turning the inside, generated a Pa-TWING moment as a piece of it during a catch sailed past my ear and slammed against the sheet steel wall on the opposite side of the workshop. Just a little moment of drama. Not sure if it was the vibration or just the wood arguing with me, this increasingly-slightly-less-totally-inept wood processor that I am. Anyway, I love Blackwood. Who doesn't?
No. 11, in Ash
No. 12, in Blackwood
Both are lovely, but number 12 has a story. You are doing amazing things--and right out the gate, too! I'm very pleased to witness someone doing retirement right.
ReplyDeleteThank you! You remind me of Rod Stewart's song about his favourite food -- "Every picture tells a story donut".
DeleteAs a note, all the bowls to date have been sanded to a high gloss, then oiled with either orange or tung oil. That's not a varnish or anything plastic, it just really does shine up that nicely on its own. Sanded to 1200 grit with no additional burnishing.
ReplyDeleteOne YouTube video described burnishing as just taking a large handful of shavings from the work, and holding them over the piece at low speed. That person also sanded at low speed, whereas I have the lever up high to sand. I wonder which is best? Sounds like an experiment is in order.
I seem to be concentrating on shapes that are comfortable to hold. This is important to me.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I wear all the protective gear, all of the time. Cartridge face mask for dust, face shield, apron.
ReplyDeleteNumber 11 has been sold. Identified on the bottom as "LTT#11".
ReplyDelete