Critique please

[John. B]

http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp35 ... pture1.jpg
This was a presentation piece for a Teacher relative who was about to gain her Masters degree. The base was machined on the router table from one piece, the column cut on the bandsaw then hand carved (it is fluted on three sides), the hat turned as a bowl then cut on the bandsaw with a thin blade. The top turned as a disc then scraped and sanded to make the sides the same thickness as the corners. The tassel cord was of a piece of apple branchwood, sliced and cut to take advantage of the natural bend, (Easier than steaming). An acorn sized cup of Oak for the tassels and 12 of them cut and sanded to about one and a half mm. The label in the hat is Maple thinned to less than 1mm glued into the hat, the edges then feathered to remove the slight edge. The plaque is Maple, the design was laser cut, (tried pyrography, didn't like it) Date, Name, Union flag, Stars & stripes (she's American) latin inscription. (It means "We learn by teaching"). Base, column, & hat, Japanese Oak as is the inkwell. This is hollowed out and filled with African Blackwood the top gouged to give it a surface. The Feather quill is of Box, fluted and pyrographed. Finished in Oil with the top friction waxed. The whole lot then buffed till me arms fell off.

 

[Blister]

Nice unique piece , with a special meaning for the recipient ,

again not sure about the varnish finish , but it would be easy to dust on the mantle piece

nice design and several skills needed to complete

Well done

 

[Rob_H]

Wow - absolutely stunning piece!! Very well done!

 

[John. B]

Not varnish, Oil & Wax.
John

 

[PowerTool]

Another very clever,and well-crafted piece
There's something very visually appealing about the ink pot and quill - would look very nice on their own.

Andrew

 

[lugo35]

fantastic. great design. only negitive for me is the high gloss finish but thats a personal thing.

well done

 

[Bodrighy]

Must admit I haven't seen this sort of use for turned work much until now. Certainly different and effective.

Pete

 

[boysie39]

John, WOW, Beautyful ,how long did it take to make, or are you like me one of the retired that time is now a luxury to be enjoyed at one's leisure. It would keep me going for a few days just making the inkwell.

REgards Boysie.

 

[John. B]

Hello Boysie, thank you for your comments.
It took about 2 months on and off, I tend not to rush around like I used to. The square top gave me some head scratching. Thickish at the centre, tapering to the edge trying to get the right thickness/thin-ness. Needed to be flat on the underside so that it would sit at the right angle. The square top was turned as a disc, then bandsawn to a square. Then the four sides had to be tapered from the centre to the edge, otherwise each side would be thicker than the corners. If you see what I mean? I used the tassel button as a peg to attach the square top to the bowl-hat.
The inkwell was easy. Turn a cylinder with a rolled top with shoulders, hollow or drill out the centre, from the neck end. Reverse chuck, hollow or drill out a bigger hole up to the neck then taper to follow the shoulders, that's the inside done. bandsaw into a square, sand and finish, that's the outside done.Turn a small cylinder of African Blackwood to fit the hollowed out centre, touch of glue and that's it! doesn't need a bottom, as it is inset in the base.

PS Just like you, enjoying my leisure time immensely.

John. B

 

[CHJ]

Personally not to keen on the high gloss polish, guess it will retain the look longer though than one matt finished, as wood pores would gather dust etc.

If doing similar having had the chance to view this one I would go for using differing wood types, or stains to create contrast between the different elements.

Mortar Boards in the main are traditionally black, Feathers normally white and I think the Ink Pot in a complimentary wood type with little or no grain to simulate stone/ceramic or the like would be an improvement.

These are just my personal thoughts about the composition and are not intended to demean or detract from the patience and application applied to creating it.

 

[Paul.J]

You must have read me mind Chas.
I too think the piece would have looked better if more contrasting woods had been used.
The piece as a whole looks to much of a muchness.
Very nicely made and finished though even with the high gloss finish.

 

[boysie39]

John B, when you say oiled and then waxed, what type of oil do you use.I tend to use Liqueed Parrifin on all the pieces I make .I usually give it a coat leave for about 20mins unless It seems to be drying in some places quicker than others, If it is I will keep applying oil until it is fairly even. Leave it over night and oil again dry it off after a couple of mins. and promise to put some other finish on. I very seldom do, I love to see the natural colour and grain as much as possible
I keep a cloth soaked with the oil in one of thoes sealed plastic bags and give them a touch up every couple of months or so.
It's always a pleasure to see a craftmans work and there will always be someone who sees it in a differant way. But thats part of the beauty of working with Timber It can show itself in so many ways.
These are just the thoughts of a one year beginner that is SO pleased to have found this wonderful Hobby for ME that gives me so much plesure from what others have done Thank you all REgards Boysie.