Below is a star shaped bowl made entirely with the scroll saw,  The woods used are sapelle and baltic birch plywood.  The bowl consists  alternating layers of sapelle and baltic birch plywood.  There is just one ring that was cut and then glued on to the base.  The bowl is just 4 inches in diameter and about 2 inches high.  After sanding to 220 grit the bowl was sealed with a 75 / 25 pure tung oil and mineral spirit mix.  After the mix set it was then sanded to 400 and a top coat of shellac was applied.  Very easy to make.

 

 

 

DW

Love It!!! 

Who knew plywood could make such wonderful designs??

Edited January 25, 201610 yr by lew

Wow! I never knew plywood could look so great DW! That is absolutely gorgeous. Speaking of Tung Oil, we were having a discussion about that in the Finishing forum, how long are you letting your finish set before buffing or waxing?

Just now, John Morris said:

Wow! I never knew plywood could look so great DW! That is absolutely gorgeous. Speaking of Tung Oil, we were having a discussion about that in the Finishing forum, how long are you letting your finish set before buffing or waxing?

Generally with the tung oil + mineral spirit mix I give it about 6 hrs before the first wipe down and then another wipe down at about 8 hrs. then start applying the shellac.  The alcohol in the shellac allows it to go on top of the tung oil which is well soaked into the grain of the wood by this time.  I allow 3 - 5 days total for the finish to completely cure.  I generally do a generous coating of Tung Oil, 2 wipes and then 3 - 5 coats of clear shellac with a light sanding/buffing between coats seldom do I wax them although I have used and still do a beeswax and mineral spirit finish from time to time, especially on kids toys.

 

DW 

Excellent! Thanks a heap David, great information. I have not done a beeswax and mineral spirit finish ever, I want to give it a go though.

Just now, John Morris said:

Excellent! Thanks a heap David, great information. I have not done a beeswax and mineral spirit finish ever, I want to give it a go though.

Very easy to make.  

Word of caution you will be working with 170 degree F mineral oil so care for burs and that you do not get it too warm as it might flash if you are heating it on a gas stove.  

 

The ingredients are simple -

a 1 pint bottle of mineral oil - can get this at the grocery store,

2 cups of shaved beeswax.

a sauce pan to heat the oil in and

a thermometer to monitor the temp of the oil.

and a container to hold it as it cools. 

Heat the oil to 170 degrees but stay on the cooler side if possible to avoid flashing any oil vapors produced.  Once the oil is at 170 add the beeswax and stir until completely dissolved.  You will need a container to hold this hot mixture.  I went to the dollar store a bought a dishwasher safe plastic rice cooker as it had a lid and poured the mixture in to cool.  Depending upon your preference the mixture can be like a light petroleum jelly or it can be like a johnson's paste wax it all depends upon how much beeswax you add.  This mixture will not turn rancid so it can be left at room temperature. You can apply it much like you would any hand rub finish,  It gives a gentle feel and does not overly change the color of the wood.  Plus it is both environmentally and human safe.  Apply it without gloves and your hand become softer.

 

DW

Dave thanks for this. A great resource recipe here on The Patriot Woodworker. I have all the ingredients in our home now. The first chance I get to do this I'll report back and give results. Working in construction my entire life, my wife complains often about my rough hands, they get caught on things, snag fine material, and more, I could always use a bit of help in that department! Thanks again David!

A second thought here, David, would you be willing to copy and paste this recipe in our Finishing Forum? This would be a wonderful asset there as well.

Thanks for the proportions, DW. I usually heat mine in the microwave (about 1 minute at a time to get up to temperature). A piece of advice, though, do this when the wife is away (don't ask how I know).

David - how did I miss this wonderful post - look great, sir