For Critique <gulp>

[mattcullum]

Happy Christmas everyone, here's my first effort from my new bench and lathe setup. By far and away my most ambitious piece so far, I have no ring making tool/chisel so had to make it up as I went, it took to attempts and its be no means perfect. I'm no woodworker to assembling it all was a new experience. No idea what the wood is, it was an offcut from the pile of wood I managed to get from ebay. Finish is just clear wax and sanding sealer, minimal sanding which is quite pleasing as everything I have done previously has needed loads.



Nice to get some use from my old pocket watch!

Best Regards

Matt

 

[Richard Findley]

Hi Matt,

This looks like a good job! I would say the wood is Beech, which tends to work quite nicely. The finish you have is good, no torn grain, no tool marks or scratches so well done there. The copy turning of the 2 spindles looks good too, this is certainly an area that many people struggle with!!

The ring looks to be turned well and you look to have oriented it the right way to maintain the max strength in the grain.

Areas to work on next time maybe would be the join beween the ring and the spindles which isn't quite right (but nearly!!) and I might make the base a little lighter/thinner but that's just my personal taste.

All in all a good job. Well done =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Richard

 

[mattcullum]

Thanks Richard, my thoughts as well. The ring took a lot of work to get right (well ok as right as I have got it!), and its not perfect and that caused me problems with my joints. I also think my lack of general woodworking skills didn't help!

Still I learnt lots and it was a fun project to do and I guess that's the main thing.

Thanks again for taking a look.

 

[Oakbear]

What a lovely idea!
I want to buy a new pocket watch now to make a stand for it! :lol:

Well done on turning the ring without a dedicated tool - it looks like you made a good job.
Having done it myself i know it isn't easy to get right!

Othewrwise i agree with Richard's comments (including the wood), and the only thing i'd maybe add is the bottom of the bowl look a bit flat. Taste again though i suppose.

 

[mattcullum]

Thanks - I did have a feeling someone would comment that the base is flat, there is a (slightly rubbish reason), this is my first proper piece with my new
(to me) decent chisels and I was so pleased with the flat finish that I achieved of the tools that I wanted to leave it (not that its perfect mind).

I know your not supposed to let stuff like this effect your design, but hell I
am still looking at it, feeling quietly pleased so maybe just this once...

Best Regards

Matt

 

[Jonzjob]

Hi Matt, that looks good to me appart from the join between the uprights and the top as has been mentioned. I would have made the hook for the watch from wood too. But once again, personal preference..

You have given me a real idea. I won't have to buy a pocket watch because a family heirloom is a silver Waltham with a silver double Albert. Displaying the watch shouldn't be toooo dificult, but I will have to think about the chain and medalian?

All I have to do now is to find it!!!

 

[NickWelford]

Looks pretty good to me - just a minor point for the next one - might look aesthetically more pleasing if the grain in the top semi ring was vertical rather than oblique orientation, although I take on board Richard's comment re strength. I don't think strength is needed here though. Echo the joins, otherwise great.

 

[Jenx]

Well done Matt ! Nice job !.
I'd say it was definately beech too. :wink:

Keep 'em coming

 

[user 5053]

A nice piece of work showing good tool craft and design skills. Like the hollowed out base to put your bits and pieces in. Could make a nice presentation piece engraved around the base. Its 100% beech.

 

[CHJ]

Well done Matt, and good on you for putting it up for critique, not an easy thing to do when just starting out.

On the top joins subject, not easy to do without making that area look heavy but if you can arrange the spindle form to contain a slight recess/socket in the end then the top hoop will drop into it and any irregular join will be hidden. Making hoop slightly slimmer or the top of the pedestal slightly thicker, even a bead right on the end may aid the disguising of the hoop end.

 

[John. B]

Well done Matt,
certainly for a first effort. To turn good looking rings without ring makers is not easy.
As, has been mentioned the joins need a little attention but overall, "A pretty good job I say".

John. B

 

[Paul.J]

Very good effort Matt
Looks to be well turned and finished.
Keep it going.