Thread: Freeform Mango Mirror Frame

and more

If you enlarge the bottom left image you can see the shiney nail the router ran through

Brilliant WIP Teejay I've often wondered about how to build one of these.

Thanks

Cheers
Wendy

Probably many ways to do it Wendy - this one works for me though. I recon these frames would look absolutely sensational with camphor

I rounded off the top edges and sanded back the top face using the orbital sander today.

I also put a recess into the back face using a rebate bit - i made the recess 20mm deep to allow 4mm for mirror + 3mm for backing + 5mm for tags (going to use dominos) and then 5-8mm for the edge distance to the domino tag.

The tricky area when doing the rear recess was the little region where I have the piece of timber that will cross the mirror as I had to use the router hand held with some freehand application and be very careful it did not go near the edge against the mirror and mark it. I was very careful and got right up close holding the little router tight and getting a face full of shavings but the triton mask and respirator made it all work easily.

I then hand sanded the frame to 320 grit.

I have applied one coat of "paint on wipe off" 1 part poly-urethane : 3 parts danish oil applied and will do two more coats with a light sanded in between.

I did experiment with the finishes a bit and tried on some scrap schellac but it just made it look like orange coloured pine and blotchy. To be honest i am not sure the best finish for mango but what I am using seems fine. The finish I got from the Gifkins book on making his boxes and have used it successfully on a number of projects before now.

Looks great TJ, love the shape, glad to see you got some use out of that Mango. BL..DY nails, I can't believe you found another one.

It's also good to see the blue didn't get yours. I am a bit worried about mine, although the surface has a nice arange tinge from the Borax, I cut open some slices I took for pens and found the inside middle was blue. Likewise the small burl Soundman had. Hopefully the slabs will be Ok.

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Looks great TJ, love the shape, glad to see you got some use out of that Mango. BL..DY nails, I can't believe you found another one.

It's also good to see the blue didn't get yours. I am a bit worried about mine, although the surface has a nice arange tinge from the Borax, I cut open some slices I took for pens and found the inside middle was blue. Likewise the small burl Soundman had. Hopefully the slabs will be Ok.

Hi Neil,

Yep you are right there is some yellow in there - if you look at the first post - second picture of the slab and enlarge it you can easily see the yellow. It did sneak in a bit but absolutely no sign of the blue - I think the shed has been pretty warm and dry so that is okay.

As for the nails - I am sure I haven't seen to last of them yet either.

Some of the timber has a flame to it and is nice - and some of the timber was really pale until I applied the finish and it got a black speckle to it - at first I was really peaved but well now just see it as some character . I may use the remainder for woodturning. I am not inclined to think this will make the most interesting furniture but will make some nice bowls, mills etc. It is a beautiful timber to work but takes on a life of it's own when finishing - what do you use?

I did try some shellac to see how this went to disguise any yellow stain but that was a disasterous looking finish.

I haven't even touched the branches since we collected them. I should cut one open to see if they are blue at all. There is certainly blue mould on the ends underneath the seal Might crack one open tomorrow to bring up to the get together in a few weeks.

I hadn't thought about finish, but I used Organoil then Traditional Wax on my Campher Laurel table. I was thinking about trying that spray on stuff (name - dam CRAFT) that Major demonstrated a while back, or Wipe-on-Poly with Trad Wax for the table. Turnings, I just use Shellewax, the Cream or another of Ubeaut's fantastic products

TeeJay - how will you hold the mirror in place?

I ve only seen mango a few times and each time it always had black flecks in it.

Was the lacquer Major sprayed Mirrortone??

Originally Posted by RufflyRustic

TeeJay - how will you hold the mirror in place?

I ve only seen mango a few times and each time it always had black flecks in it.

Was the lacquer Major sprayed Mirrortone??

I also put a recess into the back face using a rebate bit - i made the recess 20mm deep to allow 4mm for mirror + 3mm for backing + 5mm for tags (going to use dominos) and then 5-8mm for the edge distance to the domino tag.

Yep it is a shame about the black speckle - but to be honest I am slowly warming to it - don't have much choice

If it was mirrortone - i have no decent spray gear - only hobby stuff - very basic.

I will try the other finishes Neil has mentioned there once I get to the lathe and turning some items. Have to make room in the shed for it yet another WIP there

Originally Posted by dai sensei

I haven't even touched the branches since we collected them. I should cut one open to see if they are blue at all. There is certainly blue mould on the ends underneath the seal Might crack one open tomorrow to bring up to the get together in a few weeks.

Hmm, not a good sign, offcuts from a blank I cut from a split fork. You can see where the Borax that was applied to the cut surface has kept the blue away, but only as far as the Borax penetrated

That's no good Neil - how are your slabs?

I picked up the mirror yesterday and fitted it last night.

As mentioned I used the Domino to make the recesses to insert Domino tags to hold the back board in place. I did not set the dept of the Domino until I got the frame back with the mirror and board so i could measure accurately. The result was pretty good I think. I used the smallest Dominos 5mm thick x 30mm long embedded about 15mm.

I have also taken some close up pics of the frame to show the character of the timber.

It was taken to Gosford today after careful packaging to survive a flight in a plane's cargo hull. I used 9mm board front and back and 20mm styrofoam - safe enough to even stand upon.

I reckon it will be a treasured piece from the moment they open the packing TeeJay.

Cheers
Wendy

Originally Posted by RufflyRustic

I reckon it will be a treasured piece from the moment they open the packing TeeJay.

Cheers
Wendy

Thanks Wendy,

I have got a call from Sis. and she absolutely loves it - can't believe it's mango

Nice to know it got there safely too

Donna