Revealing the Beauty beneath the Bark

[Bill Stevener]

Hello,

Photos showing some of the things I like to create. Time consuming, however very rewarding. Pepper Mills -- of my design, Coffee Grinders -- org. dez. by David Reed Smith.

They sell well at art shows in selected areas. As well as, fun things to make.

Comments always welcome, Thanks for lQQking.

Bill.>>>>>>>>>

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Wow! They alll look great. I can see why those are good seller!

[Silas Smith]

Very nice work, I think they would look great on a granite countertop.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Excellent work Bill!

[Gary Max]

Talk about a million dollors worth of shine-----Looking good.
Let me guess the drawer is the tricky part.
Thanks for sharing.

[Bill Stevener]

The coffee grinder is not that hard, it's like a bowl in a box. The big thing is to keep your skew reeeeeeeal sharp. A "how to do it" link is posted. As I am sure David would enjoy others trying it. I have e-mailed him in the past, he is quite a master at makeing square wood round.

Enjoy--Bill.>>>>>>>>>>

For some reason I can't get the link to post. Sory, but this is it.

Http://davidreedsmith.com/Articles/CoffeeGrinder/CoffeeGrinder.htm

Well look at that----I just typed it in and hear it is. Some day I will get this comp.thing down. It's a wonder I can get my lathe turned on

[Dawn Sunkle]

Very, very nice!!!
Dawn

[Ernie Nyvall]

It's a wonder I can get my lathe turned on

From your work, I hardly think that. Beautiful pieces Bill and I can see the time consumption in the pepper mills. Those are great.

Ernie

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Simply FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If it's not being too nosy, what kind of prices do you get for them.

Bruce

[Bruce Smith]

Bill these are great, sure wish I could get a finish and shine like that on my turnings.

Bruce in Saint John, N.B. Canada

[Martin Shupe]

Very nice, Bill, may I ask about your finishing schedule? What do you use?, and how do you use it?

Beautiful workmanship!

[Bill Stevener]

When I first www-d in to SMC I thought one of the beter parts was how everyone was so helpfull with the show and tell part, so as long as I am not learking in the wings, I best get along with the tell part.

Bruce, I sell at art shows, I find craft shows do not bring the folks around that are looking for the items I have to offer, well just maybe not at the prices. I live in cent. IL. rural to farm. In IL. the better shows are up around Chicago.

My pepper mills start at $200.00 for domestic wood - local and go to $275.00 for exotic woods. The one in the second photo has 12 species of wood and 500+ pcs. That one was raffled at a show and realized $500.00+ At one show, a lady wanted 2, I asked why? She said, her husband loved pepper mills -- sure hope she comes back this year!!!! I do provide a life time guarantee with all of my mills. The older I get, the lesser that is.

Martin, I think one of the most challenging areas in any realm of woodworking - turning is the finish. First off it depends on what you wish to finish.

On my pepper mills and coffee grinders I use a good quality urethane. 1- urethane is a stand-alone sealer. 2- a good urethane contains a UV protector, which helps retard the ageing and the color changing in the wood. I apply five coats. I have found that additional coats do not provide any more protection or inhance the item any further. Letting each coat dry between the next for 24 hrs, and sanding with 600 g. not to remove the previous coat, but just to provide a surface for the next. Clean the surface with min. spts. just before the next coat. Now for the part that is the hardest to master. 1- I only use a fome applacator. I buy them in wally world a bag full of various sizes for $1.00 and cut them up in to 1" sizes. I do not use a brush, because a brush will induce air into the urethane. Do not dip in to the can, I place a small amount in a small glass jar, just enough for completing several mills. Use a new jar the next time-- scum, slag and contamination will ruin everything. 2- Now dip the applicator in to the urethane, lay it on your project, and with one continueious (what ever) motion - non stop, lightly coat the entire project. The major objective is to not induce air in to the urethane. Don't go back, reaplying the applicator, it will only induce air. Then throw away the applicator! My photos really do not do justice to the finish. If you try this, and with some practice, you will see everything the wood can give, and look right through it. One last thing, I do not use any stains, let the wood show what it has to offer.

Hope this helps some

Bill..>>>>>>>>>>

[Ed Scolforo]

Bill: SPECTACULAR!

[John Hart]

Very beautiful Bill. You sure know how to provide inspiration!!!

[Don Henthorn Smithville, TX]

Thanks for your generous sharing, Bill.