Broken Promise

nice chunk of wood and great lines in the turning!
to me, this sort of ‘imperfection’ MAKES a piece. If I wanted a perfect bowl with no blemishes I would probably opt for ceramic -
I have similar pieces with voids and an occasional check and what not. How we deal with the ‘problems’ of the real world is what makes us wood workers – we work within the parameters of the wood. The options are unlimited. I’ve seen people fill voids, patch a piece with contrasting wood, scrap a nice piece. the character of the wood comes out in nature’s wonderment. to each his own of course. Just my opinion.
I got some wood from a friend once. He said it wasn’t good enough for his purposes. I thought at first that was a slam of sorts – that MY purposes would allow inferior wood. I found what he meant finally.He knew that the wood work that I do celebrates the wood and the grains and texture. What he was doing was for a customer who wanted very tight matching grain that was almost indiscernable.
Once I got my ego in check – I knew my friend had not only given me some great wood, but had paid me quite a compliment.

-- CaptnA - "When someone hurts you, write it in the sand so the winds of forgiveness will scatter the memory... "

It still looks great, and now has more character.

Thanks for the post.

-- Hope Never fails

I think it gives a lot of character to the piece overall. I recently turned a piece of Redwood Burl which ended up having major voids and bark inclusions. it took me a few days of epoxy work and such to stabilize it enough top complete the turning. I think pieces with these “defects” can be a lot nicer than so called “perfect” pieces.

-- Chris

BTW…

Were are you getting the Honey Locust?

-- Chris

Chris, I have been purchasing a lot of blanks here. I agree that the voids definitely add character. This was so bad I was afraid it was going to blow up. I didn’t want to blog a trip to the hospital during safety week.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

trifern, I tried out your link to woodworkersshop.com but can’t find any bowl blanks. Tried most of the product catagories, search and advanced search. Where do they hide them?

-- Leon -- Houston, TX - " I create all my own designs and it looks like it "

Leon,
You might try sending an email or calling. I have never purchased from them via the net. I have always purchased from them at their Peoria and Bloomington retail stores. I like to pick my own lumber.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

I think you done a Wonderful job. In my opinion, whatever that is worth, something with a little history and a lot of time, effort, and love of the job is worth a lot more. Keep up the good work.

-- God bless the men and women who protect our counrty.

Nice bowl!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- There is no such thing as a mistake....just a design modification

Trifern, that’s another beutiful piece, I’d say you made a great “save”.

Thanks for sharing it.

-- Martin, Kansas

Again Trfern you continue making those wonderful bowls. They are beautiful and show your trademark design. I love them, no matter what wood you use you have a way of highlighting the grain and bringing out the best of the wood. I’m a fan, for sure. mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

It was worth staying thru to the end on this one ! Great job and a nice finish as well

-- Dusty56@comcast.net

I have to join Jockmike in your fan club. You do wonderful work.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

You did well to stay with this piece. It “turned” out beautifully. The CA and epoxy only add details to the already gorgeous piece.

Thanks for the post.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Very nice, the imperfections give it some unique character

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

Darned right, this is awesome. Did you mix something into the epoxy? If you had tried to hide the void it wouldn’t have been that great. But the contrasting color in the filler makes it intentional. Looks great.

-- Dust collectors suck.

Blake, I mixed coffee grounds in with the epoxy. The coffee turned an overall grey with black specs. Sorta looks like granite.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

I agree with everyone that likes your repairs. It really adds contrast. Ever seem some of the vessels that David Marks has turned? I wouldn’t concern myself with holes, my Highboy is filled with them, adds character!!

-- Matt, Houston Texas