A Pot

[Hermit]

I'm not sure what to call this - a pot or a lidded box? If I add a handle it looks like a saucepan. :rolleyes:

Anyway, it's 150mm diameter, 100mm tall, made from Tasmanian Oak and Blackbutt, finished in oil-based satin WOP.

I don't think I'm too keen on the lid style any more - it looked better on paper. The knob took two goes, too. First I made one out of Tas Oak, but wasn't happy with the colour or shape, so I made the second out of Blackbutt and attempted to shape it to match the lid main. Sort of succeeded there.

The pattern didn't turn out anywhere near as well as I'd hoped, either. Laying side by side, it looked like there was plenty of contrast between the Tas Oak and the Blackbutt, but in the piece, the way the light reflects, the pattern is almost lost. Not to worry, a lesson learned.

All comments, criticisms and suggestions welcome.

317359 317360

The bottom:
317361

Inside the lid:
317358

[crowie]

G'Day Steve,
You sure are mastering that lathe which is keeping you away from the toys, but you got to be happy with that pot, very nice sir.
Cheers, crowie

[dougturner]

Hermit, well done overall! The shape is lovely, the lid fits and matches, and there are no open joints. The knob suits the shape of the bowl very well, and it looks like a very nice finish. The main problem is that we are our own harshest critic, and it is the recipient whose opinion matters the most, whether it is a gift or sold through any type of outlet. Well done. Doug.

317359 317360

The bottom:
317361

Inside the lid:
317358[/QUOTE]

[Hermit]

G'Day Steve,
You sure are mastering that lathe which is keeping you away from the toys, but you got to be happy with that pot, very nice sir.
Cheers, crowie

Hello Pete. Thanks for the encouragement, it's much appreciated. :2tsup:
It came up OK, but I had hoped for more contrast between the timbers.

I got some nice Red Bean yesterday, then today was given two 1m x 400mm x 60-70mm slabs of Southern Silky Oak. On top of that, chuck1 gave me some nice NG Rosewood last week, so I can make a few things out of something besides Tas Oak and Blackbutt now.

(I will get back onto the scale models soon. The list is growing. Meantime, I'm getting plenty of practice for making wheels etc)

[Hermit]

Hermit, well done overall! The shape is lovely, the lid fits and matches, and there are no open joints. The knob suits the shape of the bowl very well, and it looks like a very nice finish. The main problem is that we are our own harshest critic, and it is the recipient whose opinion matters the most, whether it is a gift or sold through any type of outlet. Well done. Doug.

Thank you Doug. I can never tell if my finished pieces look any good. Too close, I think. I'm still too busy working out how to do things to judge.

You're dead right about us being our own harshest critics, but I think that's a good thing - it keeps us motivated and trying.

I wasn't sure what to call it, but if not a pot it must be a lidded box.

Next up is a little plate/saucer, almost finished, then I might have a go at a segmented vase, I think. Looks like fun.

[Uncle Al]

You certainly are getting plenty of practice with the lathe, and it is showing in your projects. Nice joints and shape on this one, which looks like a biscuit barrel to me, but only for small bickies.
Keep up the good work and enjoy your new equipment.

Alan...

[Hermit]

You certainly are getting plenty of practice with the lathe, and it is showing in your projects. Nice joints and shape on this one, which looks like a biscuit barrel to me, but only for small bickies.
Keep up the good work and enjoy your new equipment.

Alan...

Thanks for the good feedback Alan. I'm having a ball playing with my new toys. :cool:

If I don't sell it, I might use this box for tea-bags, I think. I drink gallons of tea, and this will look better than storing them in the box they came in. Just the right size for 100 tea bags.

I had an interesting request yesterday. I was asked by a friend if I'd make him an urn for his ashes. Not sure that I'm up to it yet, but I said I'd give it a go. He's going to sit down with me to work out a design. I'm making a vase next, so that'll be good practice for the urn.

[Hermit]

I was sort of hoping to get enough positive comments on this to give me the courage to put this and a couple of other things into our woodies' club's exhibition/sale next month, but the silence speaks volumes. I don't want to make a fool out of myself by displaying amateurish work, so I'll give it a miss I reckon.
Maybe next year, after more practice.....

[Dalboy]

I remember when you started turning which really is not that long ago. You have come along in leaps and bounds and this pot shows how far you have come in such a short time, well turned.


I was sort of hoping to get enough positive comments on this to give me the courage to put this and a couple of other things into our woodies' club's exhibition/sale next month, but the silence speaks volumes. I don't want to make a fool out of myself by displaying amateurish work, so I'll give it a miss I reckon.
Maybe next year, after more practice.....

If it was mine I would take it along and let them see it, after all you are not shy in putting it on here. I am sure they will be helpful if they see anything that needs extra work which can only be helpful to your learning curve. GO FOR IT

[Rod Gilbert]

Hi Hermit,
Definitely enter it in you're club's event you should be very pleased with you're efforts with this piece the work looks to be well executed and the shape is pleasing to the eye as stated previously the experience gained from taking part in such events help's you by getting feed back about you're progress and eye for detail. The same help's you're club by having a good display at an event draws interest to the club and help's to gain new members. So go for it.
Regards Rod.

[Hermit]

I remember when you started turning which really is not that long ago. You have come along in leaps and bounds and this pot shows how far you have come in such a short time, well turned.



If it was mine I would take it along and let them see it, after all you are not shy in putting it on here. I am sure they will be helpful if they see anything that needs extra work which can only be helpful to your learning curve. GO FOR IT

Thanks for the kind comments Derek. Still, this is a public exhibition and sale, not a club meeting, so I think I'll give it a miss this year and maybe put in one or two things next time if I feel confident enough.
My problem is that I can't tell what looks good with my own work. No problem with others' stuff.
I've found that I can turn any shape I put my mind to so far, draw it up first and then turn a good facsimile, but the original designs are faulty. Things that look good to me in my head and on paper don't look anywhere near as good in the flesh. Maybe I'll get better at that with practice. For now at least, it makes me nervous to even put pen to paper for a design.

[Hermit]

Hi Hermit,
Definitely enter it in you're club's event you should be very pleased with you're efforts with this piece the work looks to be well executed and the shape is pleasing to the eye as stated previously the experience gained from taking part in such events help's you by getting feed back about you're progress and eye for detail. The same help's you're club by having a good display at an event draws interest to the club and help's to gain new members. So go for it.
Regards Rod.

Thanks for the encouragement Rod. I definitely need constructive feedback and tips from fellow turners, (that's why I post here, not to 'show off'), but I don't feel that I'm doing good enough for 'public' consumption just yet. Even looking at the other finished stuff sitting here on my shelves, I can't tell what looks good and what doesn't, to pick out some things for possible display. I tried asking a friend, but he said it all looks good. (Great help.)

Still, you guys have almost changed my mind about showing the pot/box. I think I'll wait a week and finish the plate I'm making, then make a decision about both. Hopefully I'll be happier with the plate.

[Dalboy]

Steve don't think about it just put it in, the more you think about it the less of a chance you will ever enter. It looks good enough for me.

I had a similar situation with a piece that I made, I wrapped it up and sent it off to a large show here in England It came third in the novice section (which I was at the time) I won a Robert Sorby set of tools. So if you don't enter you will always wonder:roll::roll:

[Hermit]

Steve don't think about it just put it in, the more you think about it the less of a chance you will ever enter. It looks good enough for me.

I had a similar situation with a piece that I made, I wrapped it up and sent it off to a large show here in England It came third in the novice section (which I was at the time) I won a Robert Sorby set of tools. So if you don't enter you will always wonder:roll::roll:

You're right Derek. I have a few weeks, but might put it in, if I can sort out a couple of other things to accompany it. I just need to work out what's suitable for public display. I'd like to put some things in the 'Sale' section, too, but have no idea how to work out prices, so I won't be doing that this time around.

In the time I've been woodworking, only a few things have ever left here - most stuff is still sitting here on the shelves. I finish a piece then put it aside and get on with the next project. I've never concerned myself with public display or sales before.

[crowie]

G'Day Steve, As you know I'm not a wood-turner but marvel at what blokes like yourself sir, turn out, SO PLEASE JUST HAVE A GO and enter that good looking pot in the exhibition...For my money it's a winner and you'll properly be very pleasantly surprized. Cheers crowie

[powderpost]

I don't see too much wrong with that Steve. The joints line up and seem to be accurate. The only thing that may be a concern is the top and bottom. I would like to see 8 segments instead of 4. I think you have done well... :2tsup:

Jim

[Hermit]

I don't see too much wrong with that Steve. The joints line up and seem to be accurate. The only thing that may be a concern is the top and bottom. I would like to see 8 segments instead of 4. I think you have done well... :2tsup:

Jim

Thank you Jim. And I agree that 8 segments for the top & bottom would look better. I'd have less end-grain to deal with, too.

I'm a bit concerned about one aspect though. The lid and bottom of this are only segmented this way because I assembled it before being advised by Michael Brazeau in a post here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=184659&p=1777977#post1777977) in my last bowl thread that it's not a good idea to have segments meeting in the middle as it can cause cracking/warping, particularly with diameters greater than 100mm.

From the look of Michael's work, he knows what he's talking about, so in the future, on stuff this size, I'll probably be using a solid layer, a 'plug' or the 'floating base' method outlined by Malcolm Tibbetts. (Two articles attached.)

I'd be interested to hear your view on this. Is it a really common problem, or does it only rarely happen? I haven't seen any problems (yet) on any of the 3 segmented pieces I've completed so far, but the plate with a 75mm base that I'm making has a solid bottom, just in case, and the small vase I have planned will also have a solid base.

[powderpost]

Hi Steve, I think you realise I have done a little segmenting, my first one was in the late 80's. Since then I have made a lot of segmented platters up to 350mm diameter and quite a few segmented hollow forms. I don't know of any failures. However, I do try to keep the bases less than 150mm diameter and usually turn them no more than 6mm thick. I have read those articles before and have had discussions with Malcolm Tibbett about this perceived problem. I know of one platter that lives in Melbourne where the climate can change radically from one
extreme to another, still in good condition. Much of this discussion is based on theoretical and hypothetical ideas.
They mentioned stave construction. Where staves meet the base and /or a top ring, I incorporate a stepped joint. This is a mechanical joint not depending solely on glue.
I use timbers that I know to be "dry" and select timbers that have known properties. I do not aim for "perfect invisible" joints because my theory is that the glue joint is just that little bit thicker, allowing for movement. Neither do I sand the joints but leave them straight off the saw. I have dedicated saw blades for segmenting and keep them sharp.
A "floating" base probably is a good idea, I have never found them necessary. You do need to understand wood and how it behaves, but that comes from experience.
The failures mentioned in those articles could have been caused by a few other issues not mentioned in the articles, who knows?
Just some of my thoughts in the subject.
Jim

[Hermit]

Hi Steve, I think you realise I have done a little segmenting, my first one was in the late 80's. Since then I have made a lot of segmented platters up to 350mm diameter and quite a few segmented hollow forms. I don't know of any failures. However, I do try to keep the bases less than 150mm diameter and usually turn them no more than 6mm thick. I have read those articles before and have had discussions with Malcolm Tibbett about this perceived problem. I know of one platter that lives in Melbourne where the climate can change radically from one
extreme to another, still in good condition. Much of this discussion is based on theoretical and hypothetical ideas.
They mentioned stave construction. Where staves meet the base and /or a top ring, I incorporate a stepped joint. This is a mechanical joint not depending solely on glue.
I use timbers that I know to be "dry" and select timbers that have known properties. I do not aim for "perfect invisible" joints because my theory is that the glue joint is just that little bit thicker, allowing for movement. Neither do I sand the joints but leave them straight off the saw. I have dedicated saw blades for segmenting and keep them sharp.
A "floating" base probably is a good idea, I have never found them necessary. You do need to understand wood and how it behaves, but that comes from experience.
The failures mentioned in those articles could have been caused by a few other issues not mentioned in the articles, who knows?
Just some of my thoughts in the subject.
Jim

Thanks for the detailed response Jim. You've allayed my concerns considerably. I'll take care and avoid full segmented bottoms when I can, but for smaller pieces will still do it. I'll go up to 8 segments as you suggested instead of 4, too. 4 segments was a bit lazy on my part.
I'll start going a bit thinner on my bottoms as well. Usually I leave 8mm of meat, but I'll reduce that to ~6mm from now on wherever possible.

I always work with very dry, well cured, usually recycled timber, so typically there's very little movement. I do have to sand my segment edges - I use a dedicated 60T blade, but my cheap GMC mitre saw jumps around a lot. I only sand with 80 grit, though, to leave a 'key' for gluing.

Thanks once again for your input, it's very much appreciated. This has been playing on my mind for a few weeks now. I want to make sure I learn the right methods, or I'll get into trouble when I progress onto more complex stuff.

[turnerted]

Hermit
A nice looking pot.
Whats the date of the clubs show and sale?
I may get down there to have a look.If I do ,I'll expect to see yours .
Ted

[Hermit]

Hermit
A nice looking pot.
Whats the date of the clubs show and sale?
I may get down there to have a look.If I do ,I'll expect to see yours .
Ted

Hi Ted. Thanks for the feedback.
I've got to have the registration form in by 14th July, but the actual exhibition is from July 22 until August 16, at the Shoalhaven Arts Centre in Berry St. It's a collaborative effort between the 'Shoalhaven Woodcraft Society', 'Nowra Spinners and Weavers' and 'Shoalhaven Potters'. There should be plenty of nice stuff on display and for sale.

After the encouragement in the above posts, I've decided to definitely put a few things in. I have this pot, a plate almost finished, (my best piece so far, I think), and some other turned things that might be OK, including one or two of my little lidded boxes. I haven't shown anyone outside the forums my CBG guitar yet, either, so it might also be there.
I wish I had more time, I'd also put in the vase I'm working on, but there isn't time.

Grumpy has the opening hours, below:
317789

[Christos]

To me the pot reminds me of a cookie jar. We never had a cookie jar when we were little and even if we did I do not think there would be anything but crumbs left. :U Although these days I am more likely to leave the cookie in the jar.



I was sort of hoping to get enough positive comments on this to give me the courage to put this and a couple of other things into our woodies' club's exhibition/sale next month, but the silence speaks volumes. .........

Sorry but this is not a good reason to not enter a piece.



... I don't want to make a fool out of myself by displaying amateurish work, so I'll give it a miss I reckon.
Maybe next year, after more practice.....

My jaw dropped when I read this. You most likely have heard this before but I am going to say it here as well, we are our own worst critic.


And I commend powerpost response to getting you to think about entering. :clap:


Now Hermit(Steve); Lets talk about entering this competition next year. http://www.theaustralianwoodturningexhibition.net/#! And yes I have read your response on the other thread.

[Hermit]

To me the pot reminds me of a cookie jar. We never had a cookie jar when we were little and even if we did I do not think there would be anything but crumbs left. :U Although these days I am more likely to leave the cookie in the jar.

Yep, I agree, that or for wrapped sweets, after-dinner mints etc. Whichever, they wouldn't stay in the jar long. Probably a better idea than teabag storage.



Now Hermit(Steve); Lets talk about entering this competition next year. http://www.theaustralianwoodturningexhibition.net/#! And yes I have read your response on the other thread.

Honestly, Christos, after seeing the quality of work on display this year, I won't be able to produce anything good enough until at least the following year. That's what I'm aiming for, anyway. Meantime it's practice, practice, practice, rasing the bar a little with each piece.

I will start thinking about what sort of thing I might want to enter. I'm a slow thinker. :D
I want to do some more complex segmented pieces with feature rings, but I really need a table saw (and a place to store it) to do that. I'm limited to a bandsaw, a cheap compound mitre saw, wide drum sander (and lots of hand-sanding segment edges). No jointer either, but I use my router table for that. I'll have to see what I can think up.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, too. It's much appreciated.

[Paul39]

Hermit,

I like the pot the way it is. The workmanship and finish are excellent, shape pleasing, and I like the quarters over eighths for top and bottom.

I am glad that you will enter the pieces.

[_fly_]

Nice pot Steve,
Maybe you could use it as a salt pig if you don't have one.

Nice beads and good proportions.

Pete

[Hermit]

Hermit,

I like the pot the way it is. The workmanship and finish are excellent, shape pleasing, and I like the quarters over eighths for top and bottom.

I am glad that you will enter the pieces.

Thank you Paul, I'm feeling better about it now. I originally wanted to enter the exhibition, never even been to one before, but really didn't think my stuff was up to it.

No wonder I like these forums so much - such a great bunch of guys, always ready to help or encourage us beginners. :2tsup:
And the work that those of you with a lot of experience post is always inspiring. Keeps me going.




Nice pot Steve,
Maybe you could use it as a salt pig if you don't have one.

Nice beads and good proportions.

Pete

Thanks for the good comments, Pete.
You know, I had to look up salt pig! I checked out a few pics. I don't think I've ever seen one before. There are some pretty impressive looking 'salt pigs' on Google images.
Here, the salt resides in the Saxa plastic container it came in. You're right, though, it has that look about it. Needs a big hole in the side, though, and maybe some pigs ears.

You've given me the idea of making one now. It'd be interesting to turn one on two axes, (is it axes? axies? axises? axii?), something like this:
(The all-knowing Google says 'axes'. Pity. I sorta liked 'axii'.)
317834

If done as a segmented turning, the main body interior could be turned, then the top added and blended, then a separate piece could be turned and added to the side. And some ears, of course.
Sounds right up my alley - you know how much I like messing around on long, drawn-out projects. :rolleyes: Watch this space.

[_fly_]

My mother always had one as a pot like yours, with a lid to keep stuff getting in there.
Hers is made of stone, thinks its a bendigo pottery pot and lid (think the lid has a small notch in it for the spoon).
Just sits next to the cooktop on the bench.

But yes it might be a nice project for double axis turning.
You could also make the little spoon shovel thing that lives in there as well.

Glad to see your having fun with the lathe.

Peter

[Hermit]

My mother always had one as a pot like yours, with a lid to keep stuff getting in there.
Hers is made of stone, thinks its a bendigo pottery pot and lid (think the lid has a small notch in it for the spoon).
Just sits next to the cooktop on the bench.

But yes it might be a nice project for double axis turning.
You could also make the little spoon shovel thing that lives in there as well.

Glad to see your having fun with the lathe.

Peter

I said multi-axis before I thought much about it too much. That would need a fair bit of shaping afterwards, since only part of it could actually be turned, but two-piece segmented would be interesting maybe, or two solid pieces? Tricky to get a good joint though.

You raise a good point with the cover. Here, without a cover, it'd get a good dose of dust.
Still, I like the shape. I might make one sometime to add to the pile.

(TeaLady could do a good job of one in pottery.)