Woodbox 23

I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I think I’m going to actually do it.  I’ve decided to start my own side business selling some of my work.  My plan is use most sustainable and environmentally responsible materials as my base.  I intend to use Bamboo, FSC certified sustainably harvested woods, and recycled woods where ever possible to create Pens, Pencils, Pocket Watches, and other gift type items.

More to follow as I work out all the details.

badger

Just got back from my vacation (Paris for a week).  I needed to stay busy to try and adjust my body clock back from Paris time which is nine hours off.  I decided to play with a kit I had ordered from Penn State Industries (actually, I bought it through Woodturningz, a place I highly recommend if you intend to  order any PSI products.)  The kit was a bit cheaper in quality that i was expecting, but for the price I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.   There is a more expensive, but higher quality insert you can get from Woodcraft that I want to check out one of these day, with glass and brass instead of plastic, but this will do for now, and it was a lot of fun to make.

I used some Tulipwood, at least I think that’s what the wood is, I got a small plank from the Hardware store for cheap because it had a big void in the center, but they called it Canarywood which doesn’t appear in any book I could find.  The color variation in the wood in really neat, and I liked the look of it finished.  It feels a little light though, a good pocket watch should be hefty.  Also I think I want to work the shape a bit different in the cross section next time.  But overall I’m happy with it, and plan to carry it daily. I like the idea of having some turned wood item that I made in my pocket, kind of cool.  Plus it will be a nice demonstration piece I am sure.

– badger

Technorati Tags: woodworking, woodturning

This weekend I was able to get some turning done while the wife was at work. I laminated up some maple and cherry boards with standard wood glue. After drying over night, I turned it on the lathe, first between centers, but that kept breaking free of the drive center. So I drilled a hole, and screwed it onto the big screw drive that came with the Chuck I got from PSI. That worked much better.

Using my big roughing gouge, I turned away the corners and shaped the bottom of the bowl. Once I had a foot for the chuck to grab I reversed the bowl, and put it into the chuck. Using the big bowl gouge to hollow out the inside. I’d had problems doing this before, but this time I seem to have figured out the right motions because it went much smoother. There was some small tear out that I need to learn how to get around, but on the whole it came out quite nicely.

Finished with a walnut oil to make it food safe, and the bottom tenon sanded down a bit but otherwise left alone.

I’m pretty happy with it.

For a buddy of mines birthday I recently turned a Bocote wood pen for him.  He really liked it, and I think it was one of my better ones, with excellent grain and color.

– badger

Technorati Tags: woodturning, bowls, woodworking