Peter Brown's ShopTime

Better picture as promised. Though, the color is a bit off. It's actually more orange in person. Oh well, at least you can make out the details better. One of these days I'll get my photography down... Probably not soon though!

I just completed a new bud vase this last weekend. I really need to pull out the photo tent and get a good picture of it. I really like it! 12 inches high, about 2 inches around and loaded with awesome cracks. I soaked it in CA and even did a CA finish that is just perfect! Might be one of my favorite pieces to date.

Something new on the horizon. I've made one bud vase in the past. Just on a whim. It was out of Cocobolo and Red Oak. It was a bit on the small side, but still rewarding. Now I'm thinking of trying my hand a some to sell. I've found a local surgical shop that sells test tubes. We'll see how it goes. I'll keep you posted.

A fun afternoon project. It wasn't that difficult, though I would certainly do many things differently. Mainly the cutting away of the windows section... Start with a four billets. Since I didn't have that I needed to make some cuts. I ripped a 2x4 in half, then crosscut it to equal lengths. Next I jointed the edges with the table saw, a straight edge and some double sided tape. A very effective and simple method. Next I taped all four sides together and took it to the lathe. Mounted between centers I turned out the windows. I measured 4 inches from the outside and turned a teardrop shape (a bit larger than needed). I then sanded and finished with friction polish. Next I separated the billets, flipped them all inside out and glued it together. Once dried I planed the ends, though looking back this might be an unneeded step. Either way it's nice to bring out the #5. Mounted and turned to shape. I then drilled out the end with a 1/2 bit and shaped and lips. Sanded. Sanded, Sa...