which woods?

[nev]

Having a look at miss Drozdas work, I see that most of her fine finials are in African Blackwood and most of her dyed forms are from Box Elder.
I'd like to have a good go at making some similar items (hope she doesnt mind ) So what are my options for timber choice without breaking the bank :?:
I'm guessing that the UK equivalent of Box Elder would be Maple or Sycamore?
But what about the finials? Can I please have some suggestions as to which woods will stand up to being finely turned that are readily available from the usual stockist and wont break the bank?
Thanks

 

[CHJ]

Must the finials be wood, resin?
Talk to George about pen blanks perhaps.

 

[Jonzjob]

Resin? Plastic? You could mould it and bypass the lathe altogether :mrgreen:

Why has all of her work either got to be isolated from either the ground or the sky?

I must be a real one off, but I just don't see the point of tiny stems or finails? Very clever turning though..

Just as well we ain't all the same init..

 

[dickm]

Why has all of her work either got to be isolated from either the ground or the sky?

I must be a real one off, but I just don't see the point of tiny stems or finails? Very clever turning though..

Just as well we ain't all the same init..

You're not alone! I also fail to see the point of long, brittle finials, other than as a test/display of skill. Aesthetically, IMHO, they are a disaster.

 

[CHJ]

Local DIY shed may have some 'Ramin' like rods in amongst the beading that would work, not so easy to source the normal ramin species now that they are cites listed sources.

Locally you could try Holly and Laburnum.

 

[tekno.mage]

For non-exotic finials try hazel, holly, boxwood, hawthorn, damson, lilac, apple or plum. All are fairly fine grained and hard and will take fine detail.

 

[tekno.mage]

I must be a real one off, but I just don't see the point of tiny stems or finails? Very clever turning though..

You are definitely not alone. Although I can admire the skill in turning very fragile long thin pointy finials, I don't actually like them aesthetically unless part of a piece that is purely art and will rarely be touched by human hand and certainly not used regularly.

On a box lid I really don't see the point - a long fragile finial will obviously be used as a "handle" and could easily break off if the lid is a bit of a tight fit and the user pulls too hard - or if the whole piece gets knocked over (easily done if the base/foot is small and the finial tall.) I much prefer boxes with simple shapes and practical, functional lids - but then I use the boxes I make

 

[woodyturner]

For non-exotic finials try hazel, holly, boxwood, hawthorn, damson, lilac, apple or plum. All are fairly fine grained and hard and will take fine detail.

You took the words right out of my mouth

 

[nev]

... Very clever turning though..

..and I imagine quite difficult to do too, esp with wine induced double vision :twisted:

I'm just looking for something a little out of the norm and a tad ... er ... poncey! :wink:

 

[nev]

For non-exotic finials try hazel, holly, boxwood, hawthorn, damson, lilac, apple or plum. All are fairly fine grained and hard and will take fine detail.

Ta, my local dealer has lots of 'box' Ive always ignored it cos its only ever small branch stuff so may well pick some up next time I'm passing.

 

[condeesteso]

when everyone else zigs, then zag :lol:
i like them, sublime delicacy , underpinned by mass shaped well - pleases me.
As was said, good we don't all like the same thing!

 

[KimG]

Yes me too, I love all that fine thin stuff and Cindy Drozda's work is something I like a lot, I can certainly see the appeal in it, plus on top of that is her unique take on the finishing, the little gems etc she adds in, that's pretty clever.

Incidentally I have been using Holly for mine.

 

[boysie39]

Cindy ,makes these long finial boxes and other off the wall objects and sells them for the price of a good motor car ,so the likelihood of Johnny or Mary getting their tiny hands on them ,or maybe Mammy throwing them into the dish washer is very unlikely .Something like yer man Binh Po produces .It reckoned to be art ,so therefore you wont be getting your jelly and ice-cream in them .

IMO the only difference between what you and me and hundred of turners world wide might be capable of producing is THEY got in there first . Like your man wot painted the Mona Lisa ,If spec savers had of been around then Art might be a different thing altogether . :lol: :lol: :twisted:

 

[nev]

As you say Eugene, yer man Binh Pocan definitely wield a tool with the best of 'em. :shock:

 

[loz]

Brass / Aluminum rod also are fairly easy to turn with a graver....

 

[Jonzjob]

A bit like this you mean Loz

Turned with a 3/8 spindle gouge. I do like my O'Donnel jaws :mrgreen:

 

[KimG]

I wish they fitted the Sorby Chuck! That looks very nice, I have seen some other combination (metal/wood) items on the Vancouver turners Flickr pages, it works very well.