This is a vase in Norfolk Island Pine (NIP) that's 12" X 7 1/2". It was an experiment in that I had never turned NIP and had decided to forego the thought that "form is everything" and concentrate on translucence and finish. Have never really tried to turn anything very thin before and should have tried it on something smaller. The first mistake I made was to accept a piece of wood that some guys from south Florida couldn't swap for other wood. The more experienced turners could tell that it was way too dry and spaulted to be any good. Turning it was like turning cement - it came off in chunks so I tossed it in the garbage. Then spent the evening on Ron Kent's website, he's the master of NIP, reading about using a mixture of concentrated dishwashing detergent. Took the NIP out of the garbage, got the detergent, soaked it overnight and it then turned smoothly. Had to do this twice to get it down to turnable portions. Decided to put a concave section at the top to make the spaulted area look like flames. Got several gallons of boiled linseed oil, mixed it with mineral spirits, 50/50, and started a 24 hour in the mixture, 24 hour out/drying process that went on for about a month. Once the dunking stopped I let it dry out and had to do so for over two months before the seeping of oil stopped. Must be the humidity in Pensacola. Tried using diluted shellac, then satin WOP and finally settled on glossy WOP because it improved the values (lights versus darks) though I normally don't like a glossy finish. The cost of the BLO, mineral spirits and detergent was almost $100 and the cost of NIP if you must buy it, is high. Therefore, I decided to experiment with three pieces and the other two will be posted soon.
Reply With Quote
Laugh at least once daily, even if at yourself!
