What's on the bench.

[legenddc]

Trying to get back into the shop. Installed a cordless extension reel on Saturday with my son.
 

Sunday I went downstairs and made 2 wands for the kids. First one is in the bottom. Second one came out a lot better. Will have to make a replacement for that first one. Kids love them. Been running around the house yelling wizard spells at each other. 

[Von]

On 1/22/2024 at 10:53 AM, legenddc said:

Installed a cordless extension reel on Saturday with my son.

I'll bite - what's a cordless extension reel? Usually when I think extension reel, it's for a cord (or a hose or something like that...)

[JohnG]

On 1/22/2024 at 10:13 AM, Chestnut said:

Case looks awesome i love the light look and the walnut and cherry. It's so simple and effective as my woodworking expands simple and effective gets more and more attractive.

The only "mistake" I see is not showing off the handcut dovetails by putting the pins on the top and bottom board. And that's only a woodworker grip no one else will notice.

Bingo. I used my leigh DT jig on this and accidentally swapped the pins/tails. It was my first time using it on a project and was focused on the details of the instructions.

[legenddc]

On 1/22/2024 at 2:26 PM, Von said:

I'll bite - what's a cordless extension reel? Usually when I think extension reel, it's for a cord (or a hose or something like that...)

haha well wouldn't a cordless extension reel be pointless. I meant to type an extension cord reel.

[Chestnut]

On 1/22/2024 at 1:53 PM, JohnG said:

Bingo. I used my leigh DT jig on this and accidentally swapped the pins/tails. It was my first time using it on a project and was focused on the details of the instructions.

Well they look good. I gave you credit for hand cut and they weren't so bravo at getting the instructions right.

[JohnG]

The start of some kumiko

Should I have started with a smaller frame for my first project? Maybe. 

[oldman_pottering]

Spent the day stripping and denailing these pieces, ( more of the same behind this piece).They were given to me from a shed cleanout, some pieces covered with Lino, some boards dowel joined together, the guy reckoned its cedar but I have no clue

End result

[h3nry]

I found a nice 12/4 offcut of maple at my local WIndsor Plywood store ... not where I'd usually look for figured woods. It made a good excuse to change the blade on the new bandsaw and cut it up into turning blanks and practise my turning skills a bit.

The result really tested the capacity of my little mini lathe, it might have an 8 inch capacity, but it barely has the torque needed to keep a tool cutting on a piece this big.

[wtnhighlander]

Nice piece, @h3nry! What are the inlay materials?

[h3nry]

On 1/31/2024 at 5:57 PM, wtnhighlander said:

Nice piece, @h3nry! What are the inlay materials?

The green rings are crushed malachite ... there were also some bark inclusions in the base pice which had some voids that needed filling, for which I used some turquoise as a contrast.

[wtnhighlander]

That's cool! Do you source the stone somewhere online?

[h3nry]

woodturnerscatalog.com ... They seem to be a good source for the stone inlay. The little 1 oz packets go quite a long way when just adding an accent to a bowl like that.

 

but scraping the stone smooth sure dulls tools quickly!

[Mark J]

@h3nry, it  looks like an appealing form.  Did you plan the shape, or design on the fly?  Is it a solid piece, or is it hollowed a bit?

[h3nry]

The design was partly determined by the piece of wood ... After cutting out the biggest blank I ciould fit on the lathe for the bowl, I got two more blanks out of the stock, the bigger of which became the pedestal, and the smaller the lid. There was quite a lot of wane on the blanks, so the tapering forms were partly dictated by that ... Then it was mostly shaped on the fly. My turning skills are still a bit limited, so I still occasionally get a nasty catch which badly gouges the wood requiring me to slim down the shape a bit.

It is hollow, but I didn't spend a lot of time making the walls particulalry thin nor even, but since the piece doesn't have a purpose and is purely decorative, I have no idea what (if anything) will ever get stored in it.

[Chet]

On 2/1/2024 at 9:54 AM, h3nry said:

I have no idea what (if anything) will ever get stored in it.

M & M's is always a good "go to".  M & M's peanuts would be my preferred Choice.

[pkinneb]

On 1/31/2024 at 4:54 PM, h3nry said:

I found a nice 12/4 offcut of maple at my local WIndsor Plywood store ... not where I'd usually look for figured woods. It made a good excuse to change the blade on the new bandsaw and cut it up into turning blanks and practise my turning skills a bit.

The result really tested the capacity of my little mini lathe, it might have an 8 inch capacity, but it barely has the torque needed to keep a tool cutting on a piece this big.

Beautiful!! 

[h3nry]

Finally got this box tweaked correctly so the flute actually fits in it snuggly ... gotta love the figure in the maple.

[wtnhighlander]

That is beautiful!

[davewyo]

Terrific work, as always!

[Chestnut]

That is beautiful. The figure in that maple is astonishing.

[Mark J]

...and the inside looks perfect, too.

[h3nry]

To be honest, the piece of wood did most of the hard work making it look good ... I just had to gouge out holes the right size for a flute and add hinges.

[Mark J]

Yeah, I get that, but the wood didn't leap onto your workbench screaming "pick me, pick me", then proceed to shape, sand and finish itself.  So I think we can give you some credit .  

Looking more closely, it looks like you split a single piece of wood, then carved out the cavities as opposed to building a 6 sided box?

Was this a special flute?   'Cause it is now.

[pkinneb]

Awesome work @h3nry!!

[gee-dub]

On 2/7/2024 at 4:33 AM, Chestnut said:

That is beautiful. The figure in that maple is astonishing.

Yowsa.