Turning no. 2

[Gitface]

Hi All

Here is my second effort. This was from an old fence post and was going to be an attempt at a weed pot, but I had to discard about an inch of wood from the top (should have cut it off first then cut my lenght that I wanted).

This first picture shows it with a candle for an idea of size.

This was mounted on a face plate and roughed out with the gouge, then scraped to finish off. I sanded it with 120 grit (must get more sandpaper) and applied two coats of beeswax and buffed them with a paper towel.

There was a bit of tear out, but I think this is from the wood as the post could well be 10 years old, Also I think I better get round to setting up the grinder to sharpen my chisels.

Mark...........

 

[mark sanger]

Mark

Another good piece for your second try.

Pine is very difficult to get a good finish on. If you can get a fine finish on pine you can get a fine finish on anything.

Keep up the great work

 

[TEP]

Hi Mark.

Quite an imaginative shape, so idea and design is OK. Finish, needs a lot of work on your part.

Not an easy wood to work with, if you ever need sharp tools you need them with soft woods. A scraper is definitely a No No on spindle work, skew and spindle gouges only if you want any sort of decent finish.

I can see you also scrapped the rings around the middle. Another No No, use a skew tip to actually cut each side of the ring, that way you don't even have to sand them.

My suggestion is that you spend some time practising before trying to finish anything. Just carry one making bits and pieces similar to this pot, but don't waste your time trying to finish them for a while, you'll only be disappointed.

Also don't waste sand paper on trying to clean up any surface like that. Just continue with your tool practice. Torn grain like you have on this pot is never going to be rescued. It is possible to sand off torn end grain with really course papers, but all you are doing is hollowing around the damaged area. Then as soon as you try to put a finish on all the bruising on the wood shows through. It ALWAYS spoils what could have been a nice bit of work. IME.

Ignore this if you think I have been too critical, turning is very easy but not the first couple of months unless you have a mentor of sorts. Or become a member of a turning club. I only wrote all this trying to help in my own possibly too outspoken way. :wink: :wink:

Tis too easy to pick fault, and pass comments on others work and not do anything constructive. So as your just 75 miles away, your welcome to pop down for a afternoon in the future and I may be able to help set you on the path. BUT only showing you how I turn, apparently I turn a lot different from a lot of others. :lol: :lol:

 

[Bodrighy]

I would echo Tam in this. Pine is great to practice with especially as it's easy to come by cheaply or better still pine. You do however need to cut and not scrape as said. A good finish can be achieved as here. This was also from a fence post

If you look closely you will see that the grain has been sanded at different rates giving it a ridged effect but this was done for effect not to smooth it off. A good coat of sealer before the last sanding helps as well.



Pete

 

[Paul.J]

Another nice looking practice piece Mark
Nice shape with some nice detail.
As has been said the tools will need to be sharp which is another skill to learn,which again will require lots of practice.So keep practicing

 

[PowerTool]

I wrote

Will look forward to your next turnings

Blimey,that was quick..

Great second piece,like the shape/style;excellent advice from Tam.

Andrew

 

[Finial]

My suggestion is that you spend some time practising before trying to finish anything. Just carry one making bits and pieces similar to this pot, but don't waste your time trying to finish them for a while, you'll only be disappointed.

Don't listen! They are your first efforts so keep them and be proud!

You don't make it easy for yourself using pine to start on though. See if you can find small branches of sycamore or beech.