The Tower

[Dalboy]

This is just the start of this piece and I thought that as I mentioned in another post about work being posted I should at least put something up even if it is only a mini WIP.

I did start with a sketch with this one but due to a small detail that did not look right I went and cut another piece of wood to return it, but not wanting to waste the piece I decided to finish the base with a little modification and was going to put it to one side to make a new top well it has turned out better than expected and when I offered the top to it I liked what I saw.

The first photo's are of the top with it marked out ready for some cutting.

Then there is the base unpainted with the modification sorry did not take any before shots.

Then there is one with the first coat on and as can be seen needs more work as the base will be a high gloss so as you can imagine a lot of prep work nearly 3 hours getting the finish I wanted before the paint is applied without this any blemishes will show like a sore thumb.

The next stage is to rub back the black and see if there are any bits that need a little filling like the grain. This was the only wood I had that was the correct size as it was either the right cross section but not long enough or too long but not the right cross section so Ash it was.

More tomorrow to allow the first coat to dry.

 

[Dalboy]

More of an update with "The Tower" the main support has now been complete except the added decoration of some copper nails which I liked because of the colour when cleaned up as well as the design on the head I put one in place they will be put right in once the black has dried overnight "I know you can use it before then".

There will be 12 of these around the base.This still needs parting off from the chuck as well.

I then set to the top and have started to cut out the shape there is still more shaping and many will notice that the wall thickness is not even but that is intentional.

The only thing used was some abrasive to cut back the first coat of ebonising spray and the more spray as the top coat.
Hope to get the top shape finished and the nails stuck in place as well as parting the base off

 

[AES]

I'm not into turning at all dalboy (it would be yet another slippery slope for me to slide gracelessly down!) but I like that piece of yours very much. Really nice shape.

Off topic really, but just as a mater of interest, how will you stop those copper nails from "weathering", clear varnish perhaps??

AES

 

[Dalboy]

I'm not into turning at all dalboy (it would be yet another slippery slope for me to slide gracelessly down!) but I like that piece of yours very much. Really nice shape.

Off topic really, but just as a mater of interest, how will you stop those copper nails from "weathering", clear varnish perhaps??

AES

Once they are inserted and the base is complete I will give it a coat of gloss varnish/Lacquer the top will be either mat or satin to help with a contrast after that is painted but there is more to make for this one.

 

[AES]

Understood, thanks.

AES

 

[Dalboy]

After a small oops moment where I parted the lower section off it wipped to one side and hit the tool rest and damaged the paint work So after a little repair to that area and now no sign that it had occurred I was back onto getting some more work done on it.
The copper nails where cleaned and washed in soapy water and dried then the heads given a coat od varnish to stop tarnishing.

.

Once these where dry I glued them in place around the lower section

Back to the top piece which I had cut out so today was cleaning this up and plenty of sanding to 600grit all of this needed doing by hands

The last job is to burn s deep line all around the edge ready for texture to be added, once at that stage more colour to be added before moving onto the last piece of this build

 

[CHJ]

A construct worthy of an Olympian Torch.

 

[Dalboy]

A construct worthy of an Olympian Torch.

No just something to keep an eye on me :lol: I know many of the things I have used for a finish can dry pretty quick but I do like to leave longer making it less likley to damage when I don't knock it against metal

 

[CHJ]

Well Sunday seems a good day to Head to the shed and say Halo to a Ball before adding an Angelic smile to her.

(Well that's my vision of the outcome anyway)

 

[Chris152]

?

 

[Dalboy]

Yes Chris that is what it is looselybased on.

Well Sunday seems a good day to Head to the shed and say Halo to a Ball before adding an Angelic smile to her.

(Well that's my vision of the outcome anyway)

Looking forward to see what comes out.

 

[CHJ]

Be a long wait for anything anywhere near matching judging by this mornings session, still fighting the darn Cocktail Stick holders I've been asked for. Just no flow to anything at the moment, I think it's mostly because it's things at the behest of others, on the wood front anyway, rather than something produced because it appealed.

 

[Dalboy]

Be a long wait for anything anywhere near matching judging by this mornings session, still fighting the darn Cocktail Stick holders I've been asked for. Just no flow to anything at the moment, I think it's mostly because it's things at the behest of others, on the wood front anyway, rather than something produced because it appealed.

I find that it is good to say no just so I can do something for myself, I know this is for the club competition but it is still something I wanted to make.

 

[Dalboy]

Today has been a slow one on this project.

Could not make up my mind at what texture that I wanted and could not visalise it in my head so I did a test piece and gave it a quick coat of ebonising spray, thats better now can see which ine I want. I will also keep this test piece for future reference. Each of the patterns are created by different shaped Diamond burrs except the bottom right which was achieved using a little metal cutting disc.

As it turned out it was the little disc pattern that won the day for me it took what seemed an age to cut little slits in the surface of this part and as can be seen I also left a band untouched around the edge.
A quick rub over with a abrasive brush that fits in a drill to get rid of any loose pieces, this was held in the hand as if I used a drill it would have not ended up looking so crisp.
A spray again with Ebonising to finish off and the inside as well as this helps to show any marks which this will need a little more sanding.

 

[CHJ]

Might be slow by your standards but I can't see achieving that sort of texturing detail being anything but.

 

[Dalboy]

It is slow at the moment Chas doing painting and other little bits but it does not look like anything has been done so not worth any photo's at the moment. Untill I am happy with the finish surface I will not start to add the other colours.

 

[Dalboy]

I did try to post Yesterday about the lack of progress but have now managed to get a little done to The Tower, even if it is only to paint the gold on the inside and the eye. You can see at the ends of the eye that the gold is a bit thin but this area is going to have a little more paint of a different colour. Now I will be doing the paint on the eye it's self.
The dowel is only a temporary piece as it is going to be a clear rod through there.

 

[J-G]

Have you considered using magnets instead if a clear rod?

 

[Robbo3]

Witchcraft, pure witchcraft, or should I say magic?

 

[AES]

I've no idea what it is Dalboy, but to me it's got some beautiful shapes (reminds me of parts of the female form in places) and it's beautifully painted. Well done Sir. =D> =D> =D>

AES