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shaaler
7th January 2017, 12:28 AM
I turned this tonight from Australian ghost gum. Wasn't sure what if was going to be lol but have decided on decorative candle holder ( tee light).

Not sure how to seal or coat it?

I have left the big mark and a few natural features.http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170106/4b570e917098cffe5035c2b4d8ffa1c6.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170106/3c584ce45426e75cd16940e4c436e551.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170106/c01ba422411644e0ee7b4fd574d9b4cc.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170106/71e2a088d92917f9959ca52cfeb5002d.jpg

Christos
7th January 2017, 07:11 AM
Personally I am thinking of two options for this piece.

If the crack will not open up further I will leave it as natural as possible but I will dig out any loose bits. The second option and the one that I am favoring is to dig out any loose bits and fill with epoxy that you can tint with some colour.

Word of advise here as this is already turned round filling with epoxy is going to take quite a long time. I can see at least three times that the piece will have to be left horizontal while the epoxy dries.

There is another option and that would be to slice the piece in three add a middle section and then place back on the lathe.

Willy Nelson
7th January 2017, 07:24 AM
Mate
I reckon with cracks like that, you can spend a lot of time correcting, filling, waiting to dry etc,and end up with a piece which looks like it has had a lot of repairs, and one which may continue to crack or warp. I reckon use the experience, and find some decent timber. I also recommend you join a club, if there is one available as they can help you heaps
Willy
Jarrahland

Chief Tiff
7th January 2017, 08:31 AM
With all that cracking any repairs or attempts to highlight them will always look a bit suss.

How about leave it lying around outdoors for at least a month; getting some serious sun and rain on it. Then once the timber has greyed out and the cracks deepened even more hit it with a coarse rotary wire brush along the grain to shift all the oxidised timber; then drench it in a varnish. The idea would be to remove all evidence of machining or sanding other than the depression for the tealight, it would look suitably rustic around the BBQ with a citronella tealight candle.

There is a market for re-purposed mulga fence posts etc turned into things like wine bottle holders where all they do is wire brush the bejaysus out of the surfaces to expose the wood colour before any cutting takes place.

smiife
7th January 2017, 08:34 PM
Hi shaaler,
If you are happy with it , use it as is........
My advice is do not put it back on the lathe .....
With cracks like that it would be dangerous to go any further
I notice you are in WA , where you have access to the best
timber in australia !
Try locating some decent timber and see the differance
Sorry if i sound a bit harsh , but i would not like to see you get hurt ! :o

shaaler
7th January 2017, 11:05 PM
Hi shaaler,
If you are happy with it , use it as is........
My advice is do not put it back on the lathe .....
With cracks like that it would be dangerous to go any further
I notice you are in WA , where you have access to the best
timber in australia !
Try locating some decent timber and see the differance
Sorry if i sound a bit harsh , but i would not like to see you get hurt ! :o

Cheers smiif

Yeah that crack was really worrying me.
Most of the wood I use come straight from the paddock and it's free so it doesn't hurt the hip pocket while learning.

This is the first real piece I've tried turning.