Thread: Red Mallee Burl

Rowan,

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!!!

You are truly an inspiration to me. I went onto your website - your work is exactly my kind of thing.

I will try and arrange some more photos of some work I have done - you will see the similarities.

However, your work is far superior to mine. I am a newcomer to the world of wood and am totally hooked.

I purchased some tools at the Woodworking show in July and have made a few bowls and bits and pieces since then.

I am discovering different ways/techniques and short-cuts as I go along. Your website was so helpful/informative. I was only told by someone today the technique of glueing a piece of wood to the bottom of the bowl for easy access for clamping. I will definately be using your method of attaching another hexagon piece to the bottom so that I can rotate the bowl around.

I have been starting the carving process with the Arbortech Industrial Pro and then moving onto the mini carver and then sanding with a rubber backed drill attachment starting with 60grit and working up to 400grit and then hand sanding to 1000grit. My bowls are by no means perfect (I can always still see marks that I should have sanded out). The best finish I have used so far is Tung Oil - I like a natural type of finish. I have tried polyurethane and Danish Oil as well.

I find carving bowls very satisfying as you never really know what you are going to end up with. As soon as one is finished I am already thinking about the next.

How long have you been carving for? Has it had any effect on the body - someone recently warned me that long term carving can cause injury to the arms, shoulder and back. I truly appreciate your sharing your knowledge.

Thanks so much and keep up the great work.

Regards, Kath.