Translucent Norfolk Island Pine - In Progress

[BILL DONAHUE]

Here's one of two translucent Norfolk Island pine bowls I'm in the process of soaking in oil for 24 hrs. in/ 24 hrs. out. They are about three weeks into a process that has taken me as long as three months in the past. Will keep soaking them till they are not absorbing anymore oil. The most likely reason for the shortened time is the thinness of the bowls. Managed to get these to a fairly consistent 1/16" and left about 3/8" on the bottom for weight. Two things contributed to achieving the thinness: the Easy Wood Tools Finisher and some good advice from Jimmy Clewes. Didn't have benefit of either in April, 2013 when I had a article published in "Woodturning Design" magazine titled "Translucent Norfolk Island Pine." I now wish I could do a follow up to it. (missing Joe Herrmann's fine magazine) The photo on the right is holding the bowl by the bottom and pointing the top towards the camera.

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[carl mesaros]

Beautiful Bill. I remember the article you submitted and still want to try a bowl using NIP.
I too miss woodturning design. That magazine taught me a lot. Keep hoping it will be resurrected.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Looking really good so far! Great job on the consistent thickness - or should I say thinness?!

[Doug Ladendorf]

Beautiful Bill. How does the oil last over time? I'm sorry i have not seen the article. What about the EWT finisher helped this time around? Doug

[Dok Yager]

Very nice Bill. I missed the article however the thickness is amazing and dipping in oil on and then of makes perfect sense. I have got to try some Norfolk Island pine!

[robert baccus]

tHat's beautiful as is--really. Why the longer soak?

[Ray Bell]

What oRobert said. Why the longer, and frequent oil soaks?

[BILL DONAHUE]

To answer some of the questions I'd refer you to Ron Kent's website http://www.ronkent.com/techniques.php Ron is considered by art critics to be one of the great wood artists in history and his site's "techniques" section is outstanding. It all has to do with polymerization and how it changes the wood. The repeated soaking and drying out brings out a very vivid color to the wood, something the bowl in my photos has not yet achieved. I've had very smart people pick up one of my translucent pieces and think it was glass. The Easy Wood Tools Finisher allowed me to make finer and more precise cuts than I was getting in the past with a gouge. Will attempt to attach a photo of one of my old pieces.

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[Steve Doerr]

Very nice Bill. Love the color. The 1/16" thinness (as Steve Schlumpf says) is the key to real success on NIP. I have a copy of your article and will have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing.