Thread: It's arrived... at last!

I am very lucky, as woodwork is my hobby (obsession!) I don't have to rely on my woodwork (in this case turning) for a living...I can choose what I want to turn and how I want to finish it. (Sadly the time will come when I will have to at least sell some or I won't be able to continue with it... it all depends on having an income) While I can, I want to leave money right out of it, as in some ways, it restricts your creativity and you have to appeal to the majority rather than individuals. Coming up with a concept, designing it, and carrying it out brings a lot of personal satisfaction.

Anyway, because what I turn is for gifts, I simply do my homework and find out what they like (without them knowing). Most people I know are just wrapped that someone would take the time to design and make something original for them. The icing on the cake, so to speak, is to see the reaction of the recipient when they get it.

Now for me personally, I like a range of finishes...the most common I use is satin wipe on poly.... it acts as a filler, is durable and the degree of gloss can be tweaked a little by the way you finish it. Downside... it is a slow process and for me can take up to a week to complete. (Drying time between coats and sanding between coats)

Lacquer is faster and in an evening after work, I can easily get a build up of 5 or 6 light coats and you can buy it in a range of gloss finishes (I usually use 35%). Downside.. more plasticy in appearance and definitely not a grain filler for open-grain timbers. as even if you sand it dead flat, when the next coat of lacquer goes on, it softens underneath and takes on the shape of the open grain underneath and looks quite ugly IMHO. The only way to get a flat finish is to cut the last coat back and polish it. You have to be very careful to avoid picking up too much gloss.

With these finishes (poly and lacquer) the best result comes from burnishing it with oil and leave it for a week to go off hard and then spray it. (seals it and acts as a filler). I always finish them of with a good wax polish on top too.

Waxes and oils...I am still trying to master this!!! I love the finish from shellawax when it is done right. Once I master it, I can see myself using it most of the time.

Then there are the pen turners with CA and other special brews!!!!

Natural finish... If you look at the picture of the bowl above before the handles were shaped, it looks a nice level of gloss without any finish. I made a mortar and pestle for my wife out of Jarrah (black streak) and there is absolutely no finish on it and it has the most beautiful soft low sheen...

Another consideration is the object itself...
Since the handles had to be formed/shaped after turning, how could you wax it on the lathe? I don't know how. I often find that heavily figured woods like fiddleback redgum look better with a gloss as it draws you to the grain rather than the shape. With a more plain wood, a lower gloss level to draw you to the shape rather than the blandness of the wood.

I still see myself as a beginner (always will) and have a keen desire to learn new techniques and perfect the ones I already have. That is what is so great about these forums...people are always willing to share their knowledge and opinions and I for one really appreciate it. And we all love pictures of each others work!

Thanks for the remarks/advice/opinions/encouragement

Cheers,
Chipman

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

.......... Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, it is just that they usually have a much higher opinion of their own opinion than everybody else's opinion of their opinion.

I like that one

Originally Posted by TTIT

I like that one

Yeah, me too...!
Is this an original from you Cliff? if it is or not, still is a bloody beauty...!

Cheers
RBTCO

Re the gloss and matte/non gloss. Both can feel nice to touch. Some of my oiled pieces end up glossy when the finishing process is finished, generally after several oilings, depends on the timber too.

When I lacquer I sand between coats and so my pieces don't end up with a thick layer of lacquer. The Photo Gloss type finishes can end up feeling a bit "plasticy". Also find that a glossy finish can make some faults stand out a bit more, harder to photograph too. Glossy lacquers can also be rubbed back with OOOO Steel wool and wax (canubra is good) to take some of the shine off.


Guess it's personal taste but I don't mind either finish if it's well done.

Happy turning - Peter

I have an opinion- now isn't that a revalation!?

There is a difference between a gloss and a lustre. I prefer a lustre, but gloss can be good in the right circumstance.

Originally Posted by artme

I have an opinion- now isn't that a revalation!?

There is a difference between a gloss and a lustre. I prefer a lustre, but gloss can be good in the right circumstance.

Your right for sure...it is that soft lustre that I personally like most of all

Cheers,

Chipman

Originally Posted by robutacion

...Is this an original from you Cliff? ...

Yup, it just fell out of me one Saturday, just after closing time at a motor bike shop in Townsville about 17 years ago now... everybody was standing around having a beer & a, then mate, of mine who had a fairly high opinion of his own opinion was voicing it & said some thing like "Well, that is my opinion."

He is no longer a mate... we had a difference of opinion.