Here’s a Birch bowl that I turned with a series of three concentric circles on the top and with a slightly wider fourth one as the rim. It is an enclosed bowl with a stepped profile that also includes three thin wire burned rings.

The bowl measures approximately 6.5″ in diameter and it is approximately 2″ tall. I was originally looking for more of a rustic, natural look but when I discovered the ‘curl’ I wanted to accentuate it so it is finished with EEE cream and Turner’s Polish.

Here are a few more photos:

Continue reading 'Birch Bowl With A Three Ring Top'

I finally had enough and took the time yesterday to upgrade my bandsaw a bit. Every time that I changed a blade I would curse (just a little!) when I had to release and re-tension the blade. For some unknown reason older (and perhaps newer) bandsaws have this short rod on the tension wheel that is a real pain (literally) to turn. It’s a knucklebuster!

This was a rather quick fix, just one that kept being put off because I only remembered it when it was time to change the blade (I know, I know…). Anyway, last time I was smart enough to make a note on my shopping list and picked up the pieces.

All that was needed was a threaded rod, in my case 3/8″, a couple of nuts and washers and a knob. My total cost was under $3.00 and I have almost 2 feet of threaded rod left over for something else.

Here is what the old tension rod looked like:

As you can see that although there was an attempt to give more room to fit your hand with the indent in the cowling you still can’t get a good, clear turn. Plus the knob, with it’s four protrusions, would dig in your palm as you tried to get a strong grip on it.

Here is the new and improved tensioner:

Continue reading 'A Well Needed Bandsaw Upgrade'

Here’s a hollow vessel that, because of it’s flat shape, I’m calling a ‘Squat Pot’.

The base is made of Birch and the ‘lip’, or spout, is made of Walnut. It measures 7.5″ in diameter and without the ‘lip’ is only 1.5″ tall. It stands, or rather sits, 2.5″ with the ‘lip’.

This was a great exercise in hollow turning as there was not much room to maneuver with the inside height at less than an inch. The entry hole was opened to 1 5/8, just enough to allow me to reach almost to the edge with the hollowing tool. The Walnut ‘lip’ was turned separatly and then later glued on, reducing the entrance hole to about 7/8 on an inch.

The piece is finished with the EEE Cream and Shellawax combo.

Here are some more photos:

Continue reading 'A Birch And Walnut Squat Pot'