We were in the midst of the famous "Pennsylvania January Thaw" but winter returned today. Cold and windy with a few flurries.

 

Our Patriot Turners were busy this past week producing some gorgeous objects.

 

@Steve Krumanaker Created a beautiful maple bowl with the help of Mother Nature-

 

See Steve's post and the comments he received here-

 

 

Steve also made a fantastic display holder. This one is destined to hold humming birds but he also uses this type of display to show his turned ornaments.

 

You can see more images and additional information at in his post at

 

 

 

While on the subject of turned ornaments, @Ron Altier is getting a jump on next year! This is his latest creation

 

 

Ron answered questions about the piece in his post-

 

 

 

@HandyDan Made some more Tops. He talks about some difficulties he had and what he did to resolve the problem.

 

 

Read his post and see what material he found works perfectly for these little toys-

 

 

 

Our friends and a most generous Patriot sponsor, Easy Wood Tools ( @Jim from Easy Wood Tools ) shared a video by Carl Jacobson on making a hybrid resin art piece.  Carl uses the Easy Wood Tools to create this beautiful project.

 

I've been experimenting with the Alumilite casting resin. Lots of possibilities but I'll need to add some specialized equipment if I want to make casting without imperfections.

 

 

Tim Yoder posted a new video on making a dead blow mallet. What is really cool are the materials/methods Tim used. He creates his own thread chase and die for the project. Check out the Easy Wood Chuck, too!

 

 

 

 

We always try to post the latest Rick Turns, video for the month's woodturning videos. Rick posted a summary of 2017 on YouTube-

 

 

 

Last week I mentioned I was playing with a piece of Manzanita. The piece had a void that I was afraid would separate during turning. I wanted to fill the void with Alumilite and then complete the turning. You may remember I sealed the piece with modeling clay to create a barrier to contain the liquid casting resin. That turned out not to be such a good idea. The clay did contain the resin but it was nearly impossible to remove all of the clay from the nooks and crannies of the wood. I ended up using a heat gun (on low) to melt the pieces of remaining clay and air pressure to blast out the liquid clay.  (Note to self: wear an apron so you don't ruin another sweatshirt). This process is certainly going to affect the type of finish I'll be able to use.

 

On the positive side, the casting resin is holding the piece together. 

 

 

 

I sanded everything to 4000. That's great for the wood but the resin needs to go to 12000. I have the micromesh pads and I'll need to do the final sanding by hand. 

 

I think the finished piece will make a nice change/key holder or a place for extra paper clips. 

 

 

Safe Turning

That manzanita piece you're working on is awesome, had to go back and check spelling on that three times! Anyway, that's going to be a beautiful when you're done. I'm also intrigued by that dead blow mallet from Tim Yoder, I'll be sure and check that out. Nice post Lew!

 

Steve

At first glance the resin resembles a map of N.America.

It is going to be a jewel when you get it polished up.

Herb

Edited January 25, 20188 yr by Dadio

Great post again Lew.  The piece you are working pretty wild but looks like you are getting it tamed.  I look forward to seeing the completed bowl.

 

Tim Yoder must have copied my hammer.  I made one similar a couple years ago.  Another site I frequent had a few of us making hammers for fun.  Here is what I came up with.  The wood is Purple Heart.

 

 

 

you guys have talent...

and a lot of it...

6 hours ago, Stick486 said:

you guys have talent...

and a lot of it...

Fully agree!

Great post of great talent

Talent, skills, imagination, artistry and ingenuity, all on display, this and every Wednesday. Thanks for bringing it all together, Lew.

Great save with the Alumilite. Awesome color in that manzanita. Have you experimented with colors in Alumilite?

Edited January 25, 20188 yr by Gene Howe

@Steve Krumanaker Thank you! I still have to double check the spelling!

 

@Dadio Thanks! I am really having a heck of a time getting a crystal clear finish on the acrylic.

 

@HandyDan Thank You! I really like your mallet especially the fact that it has both brass and wood striking surfaces.

 

@Stick486 Thanks!

 

@Chips N Dust Thank You!

 

@Gene Howe Thanks! It's really difficult to see but I used some orange tint in the Alumilite. I was hoping it would show up better. Looked good when it was in the plastic cup!