two box's- critique

[cornucopia]

I had reason to look through my rough turned box's this week and on saturday I did a quick hands on for a forum memeber who had the jist but just needed a quick run through.
so it set me of turning some bits i'd forgot about.

heres a burr oak box roughed out in march o8 so should be dry :roll:

and heres some english elm which i bought iseveral years ago as a very large weather stained plank- it has some intresting figure which i have never seen before or since.

 

[DaveL]

Oh very nice timber George, worth the wait for it to dry.
The grain match on the elm box is fantastic, you picked the spot for the join just right. \/

 

[TEP]

George, that Oak box is my sort of thing, love it, cracks and all. Gorgeous wood, and design.

The Elm one, I don't know the style doesn't suit me I'm afraid, but as you say it has some unusual markings. Just not my thing, yet I can't see anything wrong with it, so it's got to be a winner.

 

[Jenx]

Fantastic as usual, George ..
I think I prefer the elm one, myself ... unusual that, perhaps.. as it's maybe the less complex of the two...
but the 'cleanliness' of the straight cylinder which leaves the eye to enjoy that lovely piece of wood, works for me.
I really like that. ( not that I don't like the oak.. but just prefer the elm ! )
A case of 'less is more' perhaps !

The 'delicacy' and precise 'look' of the two lower grooves add to it's appeal.
That one in particular, is a very handsome box.

Lovely stuff 8) 8) 8) 8)

 

[PowerTool]

Same here - the elm one is an exceptional piece,really like the straight lines of it
(Yes ,I like the oak one as well,and it's a beautiful piece of timber 8) )

Andrew

 

[John. B]

Love them both, the Elm the winner by a short point, cos of the grain.
Exceptional. =D> =D> =D> =D>

 

[CHJ]

Like the 'Eastern' shape influence of the Oak box and very much like the Oak itself, not too sure that either shape or texture are the best marriage, think the Oak features are a little too dominant for the dome.

The Elm is certainly unusual figuring and the continuity of grain pattern that gives little or no indication of the 'lost' section on the matching is very good, could do with a straight on shot without the 'wide angle' flair of the top which tends to make the top look a little dominant, a job to see how any other embellishment would add to it but I don't think the base lining detracts.

 

[tekno.mage]

A nice pair of boxes there, George. The straight sided one shows off the lovely unusual grain of that elm very well. I also like the shape of the oak one - was it inspired by Richard Raffan's "mosque" boxes?

tekno.mage

 

[wizer]

The first one is unlike anything I have seen. I do like it but am not sure the wood suits the form?

The second one has a lovely grain pattern. The form is very simple and, tho I'm about to embark on something similar, I think I'd like to have seen a subtle shape. Maybe a slight inner curve as in the base of the first box.

Well done tho mate, obviously the skill surpasses that of my little toe.

 

[wizer]

George, when you say you roughed out the boxes? What was the process? Same as with bowls, i.e the basic shape and 10% wall thickness? Or do you just rough it down to a cylinder ?

 

[Turn It In]

Hi George,
I really like the Elm box the grain is something else and as you comment unrepeatable. I do like the straight form. The oak comes in only just second and if I could criticize any part the round top to the sharp edge of the base interface seems a bit abrupt. I don't think I have explained that very clearly but I trust you understand where I am coming from.
But well executed to your usual standard,
Best regards,
Ian

 

[stevebuk]

stunning pair george as already has been said, i will have to have a go at these myself after a bit more tuition.

 

[Ironballs]

Don't venture over here too often, but those are a nice pair of little boxes, I have a piece of elm that has almost exactly the same grain as that. Not a thick piece as it's a burry bit of bark, my tea light holder from one piece bears no comparison to yours

 

[Jenx]

Meant to say originally ...
These are superbly photographed ...
There's no visible 'join' or transition in the horizontal-to-vertical plane in the backdrop..

That really helps to show the (rather lovely) work off, to its absolute best.

If you did that, George .. its excellent,
If it was someone else on your behalf - you can tell them that it didn't go un-noticed and is really appreciated.

Super job. 8)

 

[cornucopia]

thank you for all of your comments.
tom: yes they are roughed out in a similar way to a bowl.
jenx: i did the back drop, its a piece of a4 paper proped up against a wall with the box sitting on it to stop it slipping down.

 

[boysie39]

WOW two superb boxes, The top one for me simplicty personified. Lemon Oil as usual? REgards Boysie.

 

[cornucopia]

thanks eugene- lemon oil as a base coat but then i have used u-beaut eee using a 6" loose leaf g mop.

 

[mikec]

Love them George

That is a stunning piece of elm, the flow across the join is spot on.

I also like the oak, both for the character of the wood and the form.

Mike C