morning bowl, apply finish later.

11 minutes ago, DAB said:

morning bowl, apply finish later.

Nicely done.

1 hour ago, DAB said:

morning bowl, apply finish later.

Sweet! Walnut?

25 minutes ago, lew said:

Sweet! Walnut?

Ohia.  blank from Cook Woods.

Ohia

Hawaiian Ohia, Metrosideros spp., is a Hawaiian hardwood that can also be called Pacific Rosewood. Beautiful ribbon figure is common in this species. Ohia trees grow to heights of 60-100 ft. with diameters of 2-3 ft.;some can reach as large as 4 ft. in diameter. They are found in the tropical areas of the Hawaiian islands. Though the wood is generally considered difficult to work because of interlocked grain and high density, the amazingly high polish that can be obtained makes it well worth any extra effort. The wood grain has medium to large, open grain pores. Specific gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .70, .91. Janka hardness: 2,040. Colors are rich and warm, ranging from red-brown to light brown with dark gray hues. Ohia is an ideal hardwood for flooring, woodturning, boxes, cabinets, furniture, and other fine woodworking applications. 

 

 

https://www.cookwoods.com/collections/ohia

 

@DAB Thanks!!

and a little finish on it.  nice.

 

everyone talks about their "brand" on social media, and how to promote their "brand".

 

this is my brand, don't fall asleep in the shop, or you might get branded. (one of several, use this for small projects).

 

 

The finish really made the grain pop!! Beautiful

Looking at the bottom plugs I'm guessing you used screws to hold the block to the faceplate.  One trick I learned from my furniture professor many years back was that you can avoid screw holes by gluing the block to a plywood circle with newsprint in between.  Then screw the faceplate to the plywood, being sure that the screws don't poke through the plywood into the block.  When done on the lathe. a sharp chisel and wood mallet can wedge split the newsprint seam apart leaving just a little to sand off the bottom of the turned block.  No screw holes to deal with. The newsprint trick is also handy for splitting any turned shape down the middle after turning.  We would make lamp bases on the lathe, then split them open to route a slot for wiring to run down, then glue the halves back together.  

4D

1 hour ago, 4DThinker said:

Looking at the bottom plugs I'm guessing you used screws to hold the block to the faceplate.  One trick I learned from my furniture professor many years back was that you can avoid screw holes by gluing the block to a plywood circle with newsprint in between.  Then screw the faceplate to the plywood, being sure that the screws don't poke through the plywood into the block.  When done on the lathe. a sharp chisel and wood mallet can wedge split the newsprint seam apart leaving just a little to sand off the bottom of the turned block.  No screw holes to deal with. The newsprint trick is also handy for splitting any turned shape down the middle after turning.  We would make lamp bases on the lathe, then split them open to route a slot for wiring to run down, then glue the halves back together.  

4D

Another method is to use hot melt glue between the work piece and the waste block. A little quicker then waiting for the wood glue to dry.

since this is a gift, she'll get what she gets.

 

if i ever was commissioned to make one, then i'd consider carving out a mortise for my chuck.  i've done that a few times, mixed results (wait!!! come back here!!!)

i've been fixing up a drop front desk for a friend, had to put new veneer on the writing surface.  got it applied yesterday, stained today, teak oil finish tomorrow.  some pics:

 

before i took it back to my shop, partly disassembled in my shop (i did remove the top from the base to fix loose joints, then put it back together), drop down new veneer with stain.

 

yes, i know the grain direction changed, the only veneer i could get was 24" wide, but the panel was 26" wide.  turn 90 degrees and move on.

 

 

 

 

will also reupholster the chair seat with dark brown leather.  will do that when she can visit, so she can see how it is done.  have leather in hand.

Lookin' good @DAB

Excellent repair @DAB . Unusual drop front desk design. The burl veneer on the drawer fronts is really cool.

Keep the progress pictures coming.

Great job. Now tell us how you removed the old veneer.

8 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Great job. Now tell us how you removed the old veneer.

Peeled right off with the help of a chisel. 

thankfully, my wife had a large collection of cleaning supplies, including about 10 containers of various wood cleaners and furniture polish/oil stuff.  gathered that all up, brought down to the shop, and used some wood cleaner on the upper box.  spray it on, wipe off with clean paper towel.  wow.  came off black.  do it again, same.  third time, less black.  doubt it had ever been properly cleaned.  renewed things with some furniture oil (Pledge), much more better!

 

the piece is not perfect, she didn't want it refinished, just spiffed up a bit.  sure thing.

 

found an Ebay listing for a spare skeleton key, she only has one key.  i thought, i'll find a second key.  found a listing with an exact match!  ordered it, paid for it, it arrives:  wrong key.  did not match the listing picture.  grrrr..... we're exchanging messages to get it sorted out.  refund me or send the correct key.

 

meanwhile, found another listing for keys, looks like 1 or 2 might be right, ordered them.  worst case, i can file one down to fit.

and to close this little project out:  the afters - 

 

i think it turned out well.  also fixed some damage on the front panel (with the medallion).  also got rid of the 'wiggle' in the base.

She should be really happy with that!