Got this years ornaments done.  These were good skew practice.  I turned the lower portions with the skew.  Sure saves on the sanding.  The light houses are three and a half inches tall and turned from 1 1/8" birch dowels.  I cut the three foot dowels to four and a half inch blanks which yielded seven per dowel.  I burned lines to form segments and then painted every other one red while still spinning at low speed on the lathe.  The burned lines made it a lot easier to paint and kept the red from bleeding over.  Used clear Shellac as a clear coat after the color was on.  I used acrylic ink from the craft store for the color.  The ink is so much better than paint.  Actually is almost like a dye and lays down so smooth.  Got some glitter tape from the craft store and used it as the glass and then added a brass thumb tack for the light.  I put the tack through the overlap of the tape which hides the lap and pins the tape.  If the tape dries out the tack should keep it in place.  Made 62 of them and am sure glad that is done.  On to the next project.

 

 

 

   

You starting an Army?  

18 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

You starting an Army?  

Looks like a heavy weapons platoon. Good one err 62 Dan.

I didn't pass that many light houses on my cruise around the world.  Those are awesome and I hope the recipients enjoy and treasure them.  

It always amazes me when you gear up for the holidays. Nice work and a neat project too!

 

Steve

Very cool Dan.  How did you burn the lines?  Are they hollowed out at all to reduce the weight?

Edited November 16, 20196 yr by Cal

Way cool!

Great looking pieces Dan. Good tip on how to contain the dye from bleeding.

1 hour ago, Cal said:

Very cool Dan.  How did you burn the lines?  Are they hollowed out at all to reduce the weight?

 

Thanks Cal.  The lines were burnt with a wire held to the wood with the lathe turning the piece as usual.  I did drill a 7/16" hole up from the bottom to reduce the weight.  Don't know if it was worth the effort.  They didn't weigh much to begin with.

Wow! You have been busy! Those are fantastic!

..."The Lighthouse Brigade"

Nice work Dan. 

Can you burn a line using tossed broken guitar wire?  I don't think that the bass strings would work, but the ones on the bottom of the guitar should do.  And, it could be that if you go to the store, you may find some for free.  Hmmm.  Sounds like an experiment.  

20 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

Can you burn a line using tossed broken guitar wire? 

 

That's exactly what I used.  It works well and lasts the longest.  It must be stretched and heat treated.  I also use mig welding wire for larger pieces where I want a wider line.

16 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

You starting an Army?  

 

I give the ornament I make each year out to friends and family.  Just a little something but everyone looks forward to getting one each year.  My stab at spreading a little Holiday cheer. 

Very, very nice.  Merry Christmas!

That is a bunch of good looking ornaments Dan. Almost puts me in the Christmas mood!