Black Palm Box

[David E Keller]

Very nice. I love the look of palm... The endgrain areas are so unique. I like the proportions of the piece as a whole. I'd proudly display a piece like this one.

[Jeff Hamilton Jr.]

What everyone else said . . .

Awesome looking piece.

[Scott Hackler]

Very nice and well balanced. I dont think the finial needs to be any longer. Now you've scared me about chucking up the black palm blank I bought!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Mark that is a beauty. I really like the form and finish.

[charlie knighton]

very nice...

[Mark Hubl]

Thanks to all for the C&C and thank you for indulging me on these. I have a couple more small chunks to play with. I have some ebony to play with as well, knowing that it can be a bear. These are fun and challenging, wish I had tackled them a little sooner, well worth the effort.

I still cant master a bowl.

Karl, Thanks for your comments. If you have noticed from my posts, bowls are not really in my comfort zone at this point either.

BTW, the first finial I ever attempted with tailstock support - blew it in a zillion pieces when I tried to part it off. After that, I use the tailstock only briefly to hog off the bulk of the wood.

John, I was going to ask if you were using the "full Drozda" method. I am jam chucking, but the tailstock is like a comforting blanky. I am glad it is there because design is still forced and a tweak here and there needed. I am going to have to try one with the tail stock off.

Size is similar to the last piece. This is only about 4/12" tall and 3 1/2" wide. A little chunkier than the last I posted, but a little thicker. Thanks for the input.

What finish on the palm?

The palm is only buffed with the Beall stuff. I put some MS on it and I thought that any finish would only muddle the palm. I also think the the light areas darken quickly, I believe they were lighter after first cutting but darkened over night. It seemed the contrast was greater when doing the piece, but I could be a little off my rocker.

,
I have used Black Palm for pens and it is one heck of a challenge, it seems the fibrous stuff is just ready to pop out of line and for me has been a real pain to cut dress and finish.

Peter, Thanks and welcome. Palm is definetly a challenge. Can not image on a pen body. CA may be a great finish on this stuff. This piece does have some "blemishes", not so much tear out as disintegration.

[Richard Madison]

Thanks Mark.