25 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

I see no reason to not be able to express myself

Never meant to suggest otherwise. I, for one, appreciate critiques and constructive criticisms.

 

Although, I sometimes fail to do it, I try to provide a comment about what, in particular, I like about a piece, or, add a link to other possibilities if the poster has asked for input.

 

We all should feel free, here, to express our opinions, positive or negative, when responding to a post. As one who shows his work here, and to his wife, the opinions help me learn and improve.

17 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

Lew all my days must be off days. But I see no reason to not be able to express myself so if thats an off day so be it. Every thing I post here I encourage all to give their honest opinion for I feel that is the only true way to let me know if I'm making head way in what I build.

   Also if I can see what a person should do instead of then I'm thinking this is why they are posting their projects

Patch it was me (GrandpaDave52) that made the "off day" comment, not Lew. I didn't intend it as an offensive comment, but merely an attempt to address and even challenge the post below. No doubt, in hindsight, I used a very poor choice of words trying to convey my point. I apologize for that.

 

However, I still argue the fact the project was not a failure or use of copper inlay was not an attempt to cover up a failed piece. His take just differs from how you would have done the project. Differing views, sure...Failure...NO.

 

I can only hope my best projects would match your worst days day in the shop not withstanding your creativity and attention to detail. 

Again, I apologize for my poor choice of wording and agree we should be able give constructive feedback here. I will stand my ground referring to anyone's project as a failure. That is neither constructive or productive.

 

7 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

So you would rather admit to the world this area is where you failed. Kinda like you take your car with a dented fender to the body shop for a repair. You are real proud of this car for its the first new car you ever owned and can't wait to get it back..... but when you see your nice shiny car the repaired fender or the half that was dented is now a completely different color??? you ask the body man what gives and he said its the best I could do.

    So I ask, why advertise your failings and faults for it takes away from the area you didn't screw up!

 

IMHO, there is no such thing as a failed woodworking project. The maker surely had fun building it. If not, he should seek another pastime. The maker got some education in the process. Hopefully, he learned what NOT to do. He may have put some scraps to use. The endeavor kept him out of the house and, from underfoot. As well as off the streets and out of the bars. While the outcome may not be satisfactory, he can still boast of it's completion. And, the project may be able to keep him warm as he contemplates his next adventure in life. 

As Edison said "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." 

Howdy Y'all.  I'd like to thank everyone for their comments on this thread...especially @Smallpatch. 

 

To re-cap, I cut down a tree, chopped it up with the chainsaw, stored the wood, chopped it up with a chainsaw again, made large amounts of shavings using high speed rotary tools, dried the rough turning, turned it again, made even more shavings, fixed some holes and cracks, sanded, polished, burned in the logo with a laser beam, and I even got to use duct tape along the way.  I'm having a blast. 

 

Your reactions both positive and negative are valuable and welcome.  With retirement coming on like a freight train, it may come to pass that I will want to sell some of my work.  Knowing what people appreciate and dislike will help make me successful as I learn more about this craft.  The fact that my work elicited any reaction, either positive or negative, shows that I'm on the right track. 

 

.40

3 minutes ago, forty_caliber said:

  The fact that my work elicited any reaction, either positive or negative, shows that I'm on the right track. 

 

.40

 More than on the right track, you do really nice stuff. Your reaction shows you are also quite the gentleman.

1 hour ago, forty_caliber said:

and I even got to use duct tape along the way. 

Well now you're talking shop skills and tools I can relate. I even have colors other than gray for those special projects.

Many thanks

    .04 seems not much of a name if I am fixin to jump your bones. So

 

I started my first reply a few times then took it off but there was something I had to say and now you said what I wanted to tell you but didn't know how.

 

I think most all bowl turners started out wanting to get in to woodworking as cheaply as possible and if you bought a wood lathe you would become a woodworker. Andrew was about the last one before you came on or about the same time and you could see where someone needed to pat this boy on the back and at the same time give lots of help for you could see it was needed...

  Filling knot holes happens to be the hardest chore of all the best in the business. And these type of hole fillings to blend in with the surroundings is near impossible . So as beginners only maybe not trying to learn but take the easy way out.....in my mind went the wrong direction !

  My best way to show this is to check with guys that have bowls on display in shows and things and they will tell you if they are to be honest that no its real hard to sell bowls that have these off the wall colored patches sticking out like sore thumbs.

  By the way thanks. Also what part of the Republic do you call home.

 

Maybe I can help if you are not too far away from Breckenridge for this city has a large lot where the tree trimmers with large tree trunks and big limbs can unload in a big circle so others with trailers can come in and load up what ever they might need. Its all free for guys to take. I thought about buying a mill there is so much in that area.

  So for guys that can't fill a hole more or less the right way is to find wood blanks that are clear of loose knots?

 

There is another thing which we as woodturners adhere to. "If you cannot hide it, SHOW it off" . So we either fill with a color (remember even black is a color) to contrast or one to compliment the piece. But there is another way to cover imperfections and that is to add carving or pyrography.

 

Oh by the way usually I just reserve comment if a piece is not to my liking , but sometime If the post asks I will offer suggestions. If we cannot be constructive we should not be destructive. No point directed anywhere with that just a thought.

45 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

Also what part of the Republic do you call home.  

We are half way between Houston and Austin in Washington County.  Not far from where Texas became Texas and the headquarters of Bluebell Ice Cream. 

 

.40

I think I stock more Bluebell in my freezers than they do.

 

I guess that would be a large drive just for a few boards worth of lumber. We got relation in Cedar Park and used to in Bastrop and that use to be a sleepy drive just for a hug or two. More kin in San Antonio and Houston. I'm also leaving a few towns out that I can't spell.

   It might be worth it to check with a few towns around your area and see how they take care of in the way trees and things?

I try and let people know when I think help may be needed.  Sometimes there are those who just don't want help but could really benefit from it.  I feel most turners are open for discussion and trying new processes.  I once turned a bowl and found two lead bullets in it but it looked filled with lead.  I didn't throw it out and It did find a home with someone who thought the world of it.  With turning we use just about any wood we find so we run across many obstacles.  We don't just toss it and start over.     

12 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Well now you're talking shop skills and tools I can relate. I even have colors other than gray for those special projects.

 

 

Tape??

 

 

44 minutes ago, Gunny said:

 

 

Tape??

 

 

UNCLE...You win. You're the tape grandmaster.

9 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

I think I stock more Bluebell in my freezers than they do.

 

Now I know why I can't find it in Indiana anymore...another supply chain snag.