Simple methods can be as effective as complex ones

[Bodrighy]

I don't do a lot of bowls but when I do I try and make them a little bit interesting. Also being lazy I try and do it the easy way. This is just an 11" ash bowl basically but severe wire brushing at high speed on the rim brings the grain into strong relief and a lovely contrast to the polished centre. The brushed out grain on the rim is a good 2mm deeper than the surrounding wood in places. Sometimes the simple methods work as well as the use of expensive tools I find.

Pete

 

[CHJ]

I don't do a lot of bowls but when I do I try and make them a little bit interesting.

That's a pity Pete, the "don't do a lot " bit that is, the amount of character and beauty of the wood captured in that piece is worth a dozen hours spent 'enhancing' a bit of wood with additional work in my eyes.

Sometimes the simple methods work as well as the use of expensive tools I find.

And allow the concentration to focus on maximising the presentation of the basic material and form rather than mastering some new gadget.

 

[bugbear]

I've seen sculptures that have been wire brushed, probably with a drill mounted rotary job.

A quick google found this:

http://texturewood.com/products/textures/wire-brushed/

BugBear

 

[boysie39]

Hey Pete , whatever has happened to *RUSTIC* or would this come under rustic banner . :lol: :lol:

What a great idea although I don't think it is as easy to do as you say it is .

It has added to what is a lovely bowl ,well thought out

 

[KimG]

I have recently done just that, used it on a sculpture, I had a radial wire brush in a drill and used it to remove old bits of bark, dirt and algae, the resultant scratched surface looked pretty good, so I left it, it certainly looks good on the bowl!

 

[Paul.J]

Lovely bowl and finish Pete

 

[nev]

very nice! I tried a similar method a while back but found it either too rough or (when i tried to sand and finish) ended up sanding most of the texture back out again!
How do you 'finish' the brushed bit??

 

[Bodrighy]

Thanks for the replies folks,

Boysie:
I have a bowl on the lathe at the moment that could be described as rustic. If it doesn't blow up in my face I'll post a picture of it when done. I have christened it 'worm bowl' as it has worm holes big enough to hide in that go right through it.

Nev:
What wood were you using? Ash and oak respond best. Ash it digs out all the soft grain and leaves it in relief. I just give a quick sand with 400mto make sure there aren't any rough areas with splinters and then oil. Oak comes up all soft and furry especially green oak. Other hard woods it tends to just score the surface and isn't particularly attractive IMHO.

Chas:
I have to get some bowls made up as I have a couple of festivals coming up and need some bigger things to display. Necessity deems that spindle work is the order of the day along with goblets...sick of them LOL.

Kim:
That's what I used on this one. I do it with a hand held wire brush as well sometimes, the effect is softer and less pronounced.

Pete