Thread: New old toys

As promised, the new tote and knob.

IMG_4675.jpg IMG_4670.jpg IMG_4671.jpg IMG_4673.jpg IMG_4674.jpg

Two-tone handles! We're going back to the fifties, eh? (Maybe some of the younger members won't know about the two-tone colour schemes on the cars of that era?)

Lookin' good so far, now for the tedious bit - shaping that tote.....

Cheers,

It’s a cycle Ian isn’t it. Green and burnt orange I have heard spoken of in terms of interior design. What was old is new again.

Originally Posted by IanW

now for the tedious bit - shaping that tote.....

Yes thankyou. not looking forward to that, might start off with a 7/16 or bigger round over bit, to take away a chunk and keep going from there.

Can anyone suggest a good clear finish as I don't want to lose the colour contrast?

Pure Tung oil is said to stay clear longer than most other oil-based finishes (takes a while to dry properly, though). Blond shellac is also pretty good in that respect. Main thing, I reckon, is not to put anything that builds a thick coat on handles. Apart from being more vulnerable to nicks & scratches, it feels 'orrible.

My favourite finish for handles of fine-grained & dense woods is Shellawax. For non-turned bits, I rub in a coupe of light coats then buff it thoroughly with a cloth wheel. Quick, easy, & surprisingly durable. Silky Oak is a bit coarse & porous, and may not respond as well to that approach, which is why I was thinking a penetrating oil type of finish. Once thoroughly dry, a good rub-down with 0000 steel-wool & wax should give you an attractive handle with the desired tactile properties....

Cheers,

Thanks Ian, I have some off cuts so will try a couple. I usually get a great gloss finish off the spray can but I don't want to be sanding and redoing in a few yrs. some thing that would just need a light sand and reapply would be best. I bought some BLO today so I'll give that a crack.

Shaping underway, I decided to rasp out the shape and using a cabinet rasp as opposed to a courser rasp it still made short work of removing a lot of material fast, followed by some finer filing and she's looking good. I have left it a tad flat at the back end about 8mm centre line as it feels slightly meatier than the original which was more rounded. You can see the original in the background of the pic. I now have to thin the body a touch before I go through the sanding motions.

IMG_4681.jpg

Yep, a decent rasp is the way to go, I reckon. I like my pinkies far too much to use one of them there screamin' 'lectron burners for a job like this! The other advantage of hand shaping is that the contours vary from the horizontal part into the grip part at the front, and similarly with the horn at the top. You can vary & blend these easily with rasps, files, & cloth-backed paper, to make a much more attractive product...

Cheers,

Hi Fumbler,

contrasting timber colours to handles I thought would be odd but yours are rather pleasing and they will certainly stand out from the rest of the crowd.


Applying the right finish can be tricky, just have plenty of test pieces and give them the same preparation.

I have found boiled linseed oil can darken some timbers

I have used Dubbin clear shoe polish a lot, as it is a clear wax, is easy to apply and buff up
and can be reapplied at any time without fuss.

Am looking forward to seeing the finished job.

You may become a trendsetter.

Graham.

Originally Posted by macg

Hi Fumbler,

contrasting timber colours to handles I thought would be odd but yours are rather pleasing and they will certainly stand out from the rest of the crowd.


Applying the right finish can be tricky, just have plenty of test pieces and give them the same preparation.

I have found boiled linseed oil can darken some timbers

I have used Dubbin clear shoe polish a lot, as it is a clear wax, is easy to apply and buff up
and can be reapplied at any time without fuss.

Am looking forward to seeing the finished job.

You may become a trendsetter.

Graham.

Cheers Graham, yes I definitely don't want to lose too much colour and I also have some Dubbin so will try a test piece with several finishes.

heres the almost finished pair together

IMG_4686.jpg

they remind me of the GT stripes that were fashionable back in the late 60's

they made every thing go faster

Originally Posted by macg

they remind me of the GT stripes that were fashionable back in the late 60's

they made every thing go faster

I'd thought about making them red cos they go the fastest!!

I thinkni have a standout winner winner and that's BLO. Just 1 coat makes a load of difference. Here's a test piece pic.

IMG_4688.jpg
The BLO is on the left, the straight wax on the right. BLO really make the silky oak pop. Will see how she looks after 3 coats and some 4/0 steel wool.

Great job on those handles. Now you got to drive that plane like a racer.
Regards
John