What would YOU do?

[J-G]

I seem to have a tendency to 'overcook' the pudding - ie. very often I can't leave well alone and tend to add decoration where it isn't needed.

I've just made a T-Light stand from a piece of either Elm or Ash (don't know the provenance so can't be sure) and whilst there is some interesting grain it is quite subtle so I have a notion to add some burned lines to give it a lift.

The attached photo's show it from top and side plus two oblique views one 'as is' and one with the lines added via CorelDRAW.

 

[AndyT]

I think it looks much better with the lines. They define the shapes clearly.

Would it be feasible for them to be made from contrasting wood glued into a groove or rebate, like the purfling on a guitar?

 

[woodpig]

Yes, I think the lines add something as well.

 

[RogerBoyle]

I prefer it with the lines but
I'm not known for having good taste according to my wife LOL

 

[andersonec]

Lines !!!

Andy

 

[Harry 48]

I think the lines really lift the piece and give it a touch of elegance IMHO (hammer)

 

[Sheffield Tony]

Elm. +1 for lines. Adds interest.

 

[monkeybiter]

I vote for the lines too.
If you don't mind me saying though, IMHO I also think that the edges which you are thinking of lining currently appear rather rounded and undefined in the photos, which adds to the contrast in styles.

 

[paulm]

I vote for the lines too.
If you don't mind me saying though, IMHO I also think that the edges which you are thinking of lining currently appear rather rounded and undefined in the photos, which adds to the contrast in styles.

Me too

Cheers, Paul

 

[J-G]

Many thanks to everyone for the feedback. It looks like I have to add the lines :lol:

To be honest when I saw what it looked like after I’d ‘doctored’ the image in CorelDRAW I was fairly certain that they had to be done.

I think it looks much better with the lines. They define the shapes clearly.

Would it be feasible for them to be made from contrasting wood glued into a groove or rebate, like the purfling on a guitar?

You’ve set me a challenge there Andy - I’ll have to see what I can do with some ebony. I’ve recently done some 1mm wide straight line work on a jewellery box (see below) - whether I can bend it to fit an 85mm dia ring (the top one) I’m not sure. The twin lines would be on a 120mm dia so should be easier.

I vote for the lines too.
If you don't mind me saying though, IMHO I also think that the edges which you are thinking of lining currently appear rather rounded and undefined in the photos, which adds to the contrast in styles.

They are rounded over - a case of not having a very clear idea of what I really wanted before starting the piece and probably why I felt it needed something else.

 

[J-G]

Lines now added.

As Andy suggested, I've inlaid them with 1mm sq. Ebony. Re-mounting naturally caused a few problems which necessitated a skim all over so the finished O/D is just under 120mm.

The grooves were cut with a 0.8mm dia burr in a Dremel and the top line was dowsed in hot water before being wrapped around a 90mm dia Aluminium billet and left for an hour before being glued into the groove.

The longest piece of Ebony I had on the shelf was only 300mm long so the twin lines had to be made from two lengths each (they needed to be 377mm). I'm pleased to say that a blind man would love to see the joins

 

[monkeybiter]

That's a nice job!

 

[AndyT]

Brilliant!

I'm really glad that you rose to the challenge and did that. And I'm also impressed by the really sensible idea of manipulating the photo to explore the options.

Just out of curiosity, if we'd all said 'lines', would you have used the contrasting wood, or could you have got equally clear lines by painting them or some other technique?

 

[J-G]

Brilliant!
I'm really glad that you rose to the challenge and did that. And I'm also impressed by the really sensible idea of manipulating the photo to explore the options.

Just out of curiosity, if we'd all said 'lines', would you have used the contrasting wood, or could you have got equally clear lines by painting them or some other technique?

I would never have contemplated 'painting'. My original idea was to burn them with 'Formica' (see the other thread) but your idea and prompting made a much better job. Thanks again for the inspiration.

 

[procell]

That's a really nice piece and the lines are definitely a bonus. Well done.