Osage Stopper

Third day out in the shop, third project in a row… am I accidentally starting another 30 in 30?...

Here is a section of Osage Orange, turned sideways (so you can see the growth rings on two sides). Sanded (and wet sanded) to 1000 grit) – even though it was really smooth to begin with. Now its like a polished semiprecious stone – which the grain patterns, colors and the chatoyance also reminds me of. Finished, appropriately with Howard’s Orange Oil and Beeswax.

I’m trying to maximize the Osage branched my B.I.L. gave me – working around, and sometimes incorporating natural defects, cracks, insect holes… prepping the blank sideways caused a couple of logistical issues – getting a flat face parallel to the grain, and then holding it to drill and tap threads for the mandrel – but no real problems despite it going flying off the lathe once, and then not wanting to come off the stopper mandrel (screw chuck) when all was said and done. Needed to resort to those grippy kitchen jar openers!

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/