What did you do in your shop today?

The thing I like about epoxy glues vs wood glues is the epoxy doesn't shrink as much as the wood glue. So when I'm trying to fill a void I prefer epoxy and will mix in a little fine saw dust if I want to try to hide the repair as much as possible. Wood glue can work for this but I often have to make at least two applications because it shrinks as it dries (the water in the glue evaporates). I haven't use the UV cure stuff so don't know how it works. I've tried thick CA glue, mixing in saw dust but find it too fussy compared to epoxy.

The other thing I've noticed when I make repairs like this, the glued area is usually harder than the surrounding wood, so when you sand it, you need to use a sanding block or something to avoid making a depression around the glued area.
 
So, third attempt and I’m mostly happy with it. Good sound, right size, but I just didn’t realize how large I could make it. The blank could have been another 3” longer and I think the shape would have been more pleasing. But as in other discussions, we are always our own worst critics. Will get back to the woods and pick up some more juniper and keep going. Finished with food grade mineral oil.

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Gdurfey said:
So, third attempt and I’m mostly happy with it. Good sound, right size, but I just didn’t realize how large I could make it. The blank could have been another 3” longer and I think the shape would have been more pleasing. But as in other discussions, we are always our own worst critics. Will get back to the woods and pick up some more juniper and keep going. Finished with food grade mineral oil.

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Looking good! My wife pointed out that making it bigger might make it too heavy for a baby. So much to consider! Chuck
 
Gdurfey said:
So, third attempt and I’m mostly happy with it. Good sound, right size, but I just didn’t realize how large I could make it. The blank could have been another 3” longer and I think the shape would have been more pleasing. But as in other discussions, we are always our own worst critics. Will get back to the woods and pick up some more juniper and keep going. Finished with food grade mineral oil.

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I have read that since mineral oil never cures, one shouldn’t use it. What’s your experience?
 
Gdurfey said:
So, third attempt and I’m mostly happy with it. Good sound, right size, but I just didn’t realize how large I could make it. The blank could have been another 3” longer and I think the shape would have been more pleasing. But as in other discussions, we are always our own worst critics. Will get back to the woods and pick up some more juniper and keep going. Finished with food grade mineral oil.

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You mention getting more Juniper. Is that made from Juniper? When I cut some, someone mentioned the dust (and hence the wood) is considered toxic?? Good for a little one?
 
djg said:
You mention getting more Juniper. Is that made from Juniper? When I cut some, someone mentioned the dust (and hence the wood) is considered toxic?? Good for a little one?
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I would think if you are allergic to it, then it might be toxic. I do not wear a mask, have been in the woodworking business since 1978, cut pretty much every species of wood offered for sale in the U.S. The only wood that I didn't like cutting was Desert Ironwood. The powder gets everywhere, and hangs around for days before enough is removed to allow for a non smelly inhale. If the child is allergic, parents and grandpa will know soon enough and remove it and look for another wood to make a new rattle. Right, Grandpa............... Nubs
 
Nubsnstubs said:
I would think if you are allergic to it, then it might be toxic. I do not wear a mask, have been in the woodworking business since 1978, cut pretty much every species of wood offered for sale in the U.S. The only wood that I didn't like cutting was Desert Ironwood. The powder gets everywhere, and hangs around for days before enough is removed to allow for a non smelly inhale. If the child is allergic, parents and grandpa will know soon enough and remove it and look for another wood to make a new rattle. Right, Grandpa............... Nubs
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I have several blocks of maple handy! But with her name being Juniper, this was my first thought.
 
Gdurfey said:
Had not heard that. Will do some research. Thanks
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We're surrounded by juniper out here and I have not ever heard of any problems with the wood. Some people have allergies to the pollen. I would think one would have to be extremely allergic to it before you'd see any reaction from processed wood.
 
Gdurfey said:
I have several blocks of maple handy! But with her name being Juniper, this was my first thought.
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@Gdurfey , one site I just went to stated even some Maples are Toxic. Spalted and Queensland Maple. Looking online is a waste of time......... I believe one site indicated there was over 40 varieties of Juniper, but only listed Red Cedar and Alligator Juniper. They don't kill you, but you might get a rash or heavy breathing occurs
................ Nubs
 
Gdurfey said:
Had not heard that. Will do some research. Thanks
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Maybe I over reacted when I made that comment. When I found the clump, one member mentioned there was some concern about toxicity.

What free wood did you find today?

I was going off the leaves and bark I saw in your photos. Below are some photos for Black Jack oak. Iowa State University pic and Missouri State University pic of Black Jack oak Purdue image of leaves Weebly
woodbarter.com

Post #1255 I was too leery about it I didn't cut it up yet.
 
Working on something else, I had my wipe-on-poly out. So while I had a rag soaked in it, I decided to do a little test. Jerry ( @Nubsnstubs ) sent me a bunch of cholla, sliced into thins that can be used on boxes, etc. So I quickly sanded a small broken off section to 400, and then wiped on a coat of poly. Here's before wipe on poly....
cholla without poly.jpg

same piece, with a single coat of wipe on poly....
cholla with poly.jpg

I like the way it makes the grain pop out, sort of like a sycamore or something. I think those slices will make a really interesting project when I get around to it. Still trying to decide whether to fill the holes or leave them open and free.
 
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DLJeffs said:
Working on something else, I had my wipe-on-poly out. So while I had a rag soaked in it, I decided to do a little test. Jerry ( @Nubsnstubs ) sent me a bunch of cholla, sliced into thins that can be used on boxes, etc. So I quickly sanded a small broken off section to 400, and then wiped on a coat of poly. Here's before wipe on poly....
View attachment 282198

same piece, with a single coat of wipe on poly....
View attachment 282199

I like the way it makes the grain pop out, sort of like a sycamore or something. I think those slices will make a really interesting project when I get around to it. Still trying to decide whether to fill the holes or leave them open and free.
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or back with a dark vaneer or other dark thin board

metallic brass epoxy might be nice as well
 
vegas urban lumber said:
or back with a dark vaneer or other dark thin board

metallic brass epoxy might be nice as well
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That's an idea that can be applied to solid wood too. Drilling or cutting holes and then backing it with some macassar ebony or unfigured ziricote. Maybe some bocote for the great contrast. I see your vision. Maybe I will make one of these sometime in the future.
 
Worked up a few reference samples last night and today as time allowed. Picture with fluorescent back lighting.

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Same shot with an incandescent addition.
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Other side: Column 1, top to bottom, flatsawn Cut-leaf crabapple, 1/4 sawn with figure cut-leaf crabapple, 1/4 sawn Alaska paper birch, flatsawn White oak with curl
Column 2, flatsawn Chestnut oak, rift cut Chestnut oak with spalt in sapwood, Heart-leaf willow over pith, Heart-leaf willow boxed pith
Column 3, flatsawn Common pear, bird's nest Blue spruce with graft union, Yaupon holly with defects, Black gum with some spalt

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With some heat options in the shop and a ceiling in my fly tying studio, I need a door. Forgot wife and I picked up these old doors, so working on one and I already have the barn door hanging kit. Will worry about finishing later, thinking of just doing polyurethane.

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Some of you may remember that I turned this form a while back with the intention of making a basket illusion. Too busy working on Christmas items, but started it a few days ago. It's a small form around 6" wide and 2.75 tall, so it will go quickly. Wasn't sure of the design until I spent a few minutes sketching, and then it all came together in my mind. It will have a rim design to top it off, but don't know what yet.

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trc65 said:
Some of you may remember that I turned this form a while back with the intention of making a basket illusion. Too busy working on Christmas items, but started it a few days ago. It's a small form around 6" wide and 2.75 tall, so it will go quickly. Wasn't sure of the design until I spent a few minutes sketching, and then it all came together in my mind. It will have a rim design to top it off, but don't know what yet.

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You mean restarted? I mean you had already begun. You just took a break.
 
daniscool said:
You mean restarted? I mean you had already begun. You just took a break.
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That's true, but I often turn these beaded forms ahead of time so I have one handy when a design pops into mind. The turning time is inconsequential compared to the time burning and coloring so I never really think I start one until the first lines are burned. Just a quirk in the way I think about things.....
 
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