RangerJay Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Here are a pair of bookends I just finished up for a Charity Fundraiser Golf Tournament in September. It is the 2nd Annual Presidents Golf Tourney and Auction put on by the Canadian Hearing Society to raise scholarship funds intended to support Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students in their post-secondary schooling. The burl is Red Mali (Australia), the backing is Red Elm, and the base is Walnut.. The patterns are re-purposed from from Sue Mey clock patterns. The burl was a bit of a challenge - I had originally wanted it to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of an inch thick - didn't take me long to figure out that wasn't going to happen - I did try an experiment at 1/2 inch and was steadily breaking drill bits and blades - so finally settled on 1/4 inch - which went OK - but still broke a couple of drill bits. Anyway, I'm reasonably pleased with how it turned out - the grain of the burl is stunning (the pictures do not do it justice) - but I think I would do a little more pondering on how best to cut the golf shaft - and pretty sure I'd do it a little differently ..... Comments welcome, Jay Lucky2, JOE_M, oldhudson and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Beautiful work Jay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 "Reasonably pleased", I'd be super pleased. They are very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPscroller Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Great selection of woods, the red elm backs the burl perfectly. Very nicely done. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Great job. The burl is stunning. What finish did you apply? Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordster Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 You sure ACED this one Jay...going to be a hit at fund raiser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Monk Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Beautiful job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 A hole in one, for sure ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montserrat Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Gorgeous! That wood, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penquin Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 They are outstanding. Beautiful work. Thanks for showing it to us. jim penquin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clayton717 Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 those look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 'AWESOME' !!! Beautiful book ends Jay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 The wood is beautiful, but I know from experience how hard it is so you did an amazing job. I got myself a burl when I was woodturning and my chisels would not touch it so I took it to a guy that had been turning for a heck of a lot long than me and even he could hardly make a dent in it.. We eventually put it in the too hard basket. No we oiled it and it now sits on my dresser. Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Jay,they are Stunning.that wood is Beautiful.Awesome job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Very nicely done Jay. Thanks for sharing them with us. DW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJay Posted June 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Thanks everyone for your responses and very kind comments. Rob: I did pretty much my normal finish which in this case was 6 coats of Minwax polyurethane spray (semi-gloss) followed by furniture paste wax that is applied with 0000 steel wool. I sprayed the piece with the burl face flat - I did not want to create even the hint of any opportunity for the polyurethane to slump or run. The only other thing different that I did was add a coat of Claphams Beeswax Polish to all - first time I've done this - I don't really think it made any special difference to the walnut or elm - but (at least in my mind) it did seem to make the colours and swirls of the burl a bit richer. Wombatie: I had never heard of Red Mali before but was really taken with the look of the grain - once I started working it I was surprised at how hard this wood was - my only other experience with a burl was on Maple but it was nowhere close to the hardness of this Red Mali. I also have a burl slab from a Yellow Box tree which is heavier and feels even more dense than the Red Mali - I'm guessing it will also be difficult to work with - any hints?? Thanks again everyone, Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Those are just beautifully stunning work Jay. You should be well pleased with them and I am sure the lucky recipients who get them will love having them. I am sure they will raise good money for the charity event. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTCowpoke22 Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 wow. Those look great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfie Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 Nice work thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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