Thread: To sand or not to sand; that is the question

I can appreciate the aesthetics of a turned product that has residual (for want of a better word) tool marks however I consider those tool marks are appreciated by wood turners only. The tool marks tell a story of how the bowl was turned and alludes to the skill of the turner him/herself. If you were to sell that bowl though, then I'm sure the uninitiated would shun that bowl. Because sanding and polishing a bowl brings out the grain, the lustre of the grain, the deep shine and patina of the wood. How would that stunning piece of timber look un-sanded as opposed to sanded?

To sum it up, I'm going to sit in the fence and say the beauty of the turned product is in the eyes of the beholder.

The bowl is beautiful and your argument is fine as far as it goes. There are two points I raise further to yours.

The first is that finishes highlight the features in timber and unfortunately my access is limited when it comes to obtaining pieces as gloriously full of feature as the one displayed in the example bowl - read that as I've never had a piece of timber like that! That timber does not need help in catching the eye.The timber I have needs finishing.

The second is that finishing helps to protect the timber and I would personally see it as a crime for that bowl to crack and start to disintegrate.

It does look good at the moment though and I agree that the tool marks create their own interest!

Taking Scott's comments and running with them- the bowl looks rustic.

In the eyes of punters, is the rustic look a look created by those who would have done a better job if they could have or is it a deliberate choice and a type of craftsmanship?

Is the bowl a thing of beauty or, with a couple of holes, a nice holder for a hanging plant?

well it might be a case of horses for courses.


But in my case I invariably sand and sand to a fine finish. Something akin to a museum finish, I tend use this as my yard stick.

There will times when a controlled roughing up of the surface is desired, but it would be for a portion only and not the whole surface.

Although I agree the bowl has an agreeable look to it and I'm quite sure that a wonderful tactile feel I'd not use the term 'Rustic'.

If you like it and why not. And wish to keep it as it is, you can oil it to protect it.

There are enough turners in the world who do this deliberately to their work to give the effect and texture you've created, either as part of the turning or the whole thing as you have.

If it pleases the eye of the maker, what should he care about what others think.

To return to the term Rustic; Turners of Yore would not be best please to think that the work they produced looked anything like that. Modern day Pole Turners (bodgers) don't leave work looking like that.

Robin Wood is a person who make his living producing green wood bowls on a pole lathe and has rediscovered the art of making 'Nested Bowls' on a Pole Lathe.

Scot, Graeme and Hughie - enjoyed your comments.

Dragonfly - that bowl has been oiled... I understand from Robin that he uses linseed oil on his bowls. And, yes, it does have a great tactile feel in the hand. Thanks for adding the link to Robin's website.

Its like the difference between a potters wheel clay spun pot and a hand made pot. They both have appeal.

I read the title and thought, of course you sand. I look at the bowl and it is just fine the way it is.

Me, I sand and sand and sand, but it is all about personal taste.

Me, I sand and sand and sand, but it is all about personal taste

.....not supposed to eat the stuff

Originally Posted by NeilS

Your opinions, please?

I'm reluctant to criticize this as I'm only a beginner at turning and still have my P plates on.

However in critiquing I look whether it's meant to be functional, in this case like a salad or fruit bowl, or as art.

If it's meant to be as art to me it looks unfinished and fails the wow factor. These kind of tool marks may be okay as a feature but the whole bowl like that IMO look amateurish.

If it's meant to be functional the bowl lacks the ability to be easily cleaned. If I made one like that my wife would give it back to me and tell me it's useless and go and do it properly and make it smooth. So again it fails to meet a proper purpose.

Now my views may not be the same as an artist would have but IMO it need a total refinish to attract me.

My 2 cents worth.


Peter.

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Me, I sand and sand and sand, but it is all about personal taste.

I would sand as well but being a beginner i can sometimes over do it.
Cheers keep turning

Bookend, Fly, Paul39, Dai Sensei and Sturdee - thanks for your considered views.

On Sturdee's deliberations on fitness-for-purpose of bowls finished exactly like that I might defer to a higher authority. In the Foreward written by Richard Raffan to Robin Wood's book, The Wooden Bowl, Raffan wrote:

"We all have ritual objects in our daily lives, tools and possessions we like to keep for our exclusive use. Amongst mine is a bowl turned by Robin Wood on his pole lathe. I use this bowl at least once a day, always for breakfast and occasionally as a serving dish... I have no doubt that I will use this bowl for the rest of my life."

I wouldn't mind an endorsement like that from Raffan...

On the outside, I like the look. On the inside, I would have to be positive that there is no tear out. Main reason is that I do not want to leave any spots for nasty little bugs to breed and cause the wood to go sour, or create any dangerous germs. I haven't gotten close enough to that to be comfortable with not sanding them.

robo hippy