First demonstration was making a bowl out of a brazil nut husk. “Take care turning the outside because it is already hollow!
There is no grain and plenty of dust but it turns to a fine finish and sandpapers are needed only from 320 grit up.”
The husk finishes well with sanding sealer and wax. The inside is best worked with a light touch using a round-nose
scraper. We saw good demonstrations of Tony's own-manufacture sanding ball — very effective for the inside.
The finished husk looks like marble.
Second up was a large piece of oak about four years old. The outside was turned and we enjoyed a
demonstration of texturing, followed dying with a vinegar-wirewool mix.
When dry this was turned and sanded to leave good diagonal lines. This works well with high-tannin content woods.
A superb tip was delivered: “You know when the finish seems just fine until you apply the first coat of polish.
Before applying the polish paint the work with white spirit — this highlights marks and torn grain,
you can then go back and sand. It dries quickly and also raises the grain for a final sand (with less dust).”
Another tip: “If you are going to make a second bowl you can use it first as a jam chuck to finish the foot
of the first bowl.”
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