Any woodturners on here

[cencalfly 0]

Hi All,

It's nice to see this subject on here.  I used to do spindle turning years ago.  I recently took turning back up.  Turned some pens from small scraggly Manzanita branches that my brother gave me.  The photo progression below is from raw stick to pen blank to a few different types of pens.  

[mikechell 0]

Good looking pens.

[cencalfly 0]

On 5/30/2022 at 5:41 PM, mikechell said:

Good looking pens.

Thanks. I think they came out alright for starting with a couple sticks

[essequamvideri 0]

Great looking pens.  I like the soft colors and gentle grain pattern.  Reminds me of Lilac.  

 

Curious as to what you use to finish the pens?

 

Michael

[cencalfly 0]

Hi Michael;

Thanks for the comment.  The colors are what I like about the wood.  Except for the part near the clip the top pen is also Manzanita. Blank is from heartwood while the rest are from sap.  It's hard to imagine that such a small limb could have heartwood.  I don't know if you ever worked with Manzanita but for me it seems fairly hard.  It can be brittle too.  I've got some more that I stabilized with Cactus Juice.  We'll see how that comes out.

I'm trying out different finishes at present.  These were finished using only boiled linseed oil.  I did some with CA that came out ok but feel plasitc.  These have a more natural feel to them.  I'm going to try some with lacquer.  I think it will stand up to use more than shellac.

 

Jim

[essequamvideri 0]

Good evening Jim,

Interesting that you have tried CA as a finish.  I’ve found it a love/hate finish amongst some circles.  One finish that has gained a lot of traction in our woodworking circles over here is Rubio Monocoat.  It has the feel of an oil finish but the hardness of a flooring finish.  Be forewarned that it is expensive, however it is amazing.  
 

I have not worked with Manzanita, however I can honestly say I have never heard of it.  I’ll bounce the question back at you, have you ever worked with Lilac?  Hard, brittle and a joy to turn.

Michael 

[cencalfly 0]

Hi Michael,

I've heard of the Monocoat before but never used it.  Do you use it on items that will be handled a lot?

Never worked with Lilac. Always willing to give it a try if I run across some.  I have a tree trimming/removal contractor contact here in town.  He's let me know that I can come get whatever I want from his yard.  It reduces the material he needs to dispose of.  Just got a bunch of silk oak, lace elm, and olive from one of his jobs.  

Also living here in the central valley there are lots of fruit and nut trees.  I've been turning some almond wood.  Another very hard wood but fantastic grain patterns  It looks almost like marble.

[essequamvideri 0]

I am involved with a group "Bangor Woodworkers Association". We have a few heavy hitter in the group. Some have been shown at the Masser Gallery, couple have been published in Fine Woosworkers magazine. I feel like I'm the donkey in a thorough bread race.

I have seen and touched a few custom dining table, a couple of coffee tables and a couple buffet tables that have been finished with Rubio Monocoat.

 It has a great feel and I have been told it is exceptional for table tops.

Might be worth the expence to give it a try. I have seen the application in person. Super simple. Bruce Greybill at Siders Woodcrafting (on Tiktok and Instagram) has a couple quick videos applying it.

Michael

[cencalfly 0]

A couple Almond wood taper candlestick holders.  Turned from some firewood. The pics show the before and after of one the holders.  I really like the grain patterns on this wood.  Never know what you're going to find inside a piece of wood.  Finish is wipe on poly. 

[essequamvideri 0]

On 6/15/2022 at 8:14 PM, cencalfly said:

A couple Almond wood taper candlestick holders.  Turned from some firewood. The pics show the before and after of one the holders.  I really like the grain patterns on this wood.  Never know what you're going to find inside a piece of wood.  Finish is wipe on poly. 

 

 

 

It appears as though you have an insert of some type to put the candle in.  Am I seeing that correctly?  If I am, what did you use?

 

Michael

[cencalfly 0]

You are seeing that correct.  Candle cup holders.  https://a.co/d/3dEf3sj

 

Hope the link is ok to post