First Hollow Form

[Belton Garvin]

I picked this piece of Spalted Ambrosia maple up at one of club meetings for $3. I didn't realize it would turn out with so much spalt. measures 5.5" round and 7.5" tall including finial, Finial is 3 3/8" tall itself and is made from Mopani. Mopani is wonderful to work with as it is really strong and has a high wax content similar to cocbolo. (It's probably related). I could have made the finial much thinner and still been safe. Finish is many, many coats of deft spary lacquer. ( I forgot to use sanding sealer) I won't make that mistake again.
My personal opinion is that the finial is a little too tall (not much..maybe 1/2") and the foot is a little too wide. I'm still happy with it but will make some improvements on the next one.
Hollowing was done through a 1" opening and is smooth throughout. Not completely uniform though. Top is 3/16", Sides 1/4", and bottom closer to 3/8".
Let me know what you think.

[Don Carter]

Belton:
That is just beautiful! Great job...thanks for showing it and keep them coming.
All the best.

Don

[Alan Trout]

Belton, that is very nice and I think the proportions are just fine. Good work especially for you first.

Alan

[Brian Brown]

Gee, I think it would have been nicer if the finish was glossy. :D:o Sorry. I just couldn't help myself. That is a very nice piece, and I love the high gloss. The finial look really good too. Look forward to seeing more.

[David Christopher]

Just one word.....WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Belton....that is without a doubt the best 1st HF I have ever seen. I may be putting my lathe and tools up on Craigslist.

Absolutley stupendous! Wood....form..finial and finish! Absolutely Stupendous!

[curtis rosche]

awsome work. most of the first second and third and sometimes hundreths are made into lampshades

[Toney Robertson]

Great first HF. Beautiful wood, nice form and what a finish.

I can only hope that my first is half as good.

Toney

[Steve Schlumpf]

Excellent hollow form - especially for a first! Pretty wood, graceful finial and a beautiful finish! Looking forward to seeing your next one! Keep up the good work!

[Paul Douglass]

My personal opinion is that is one beautiful piece.

[Bill Bolen]

Outstanding HF! Finish is top notch and I love everything about the form...Bill..

[Neal Addy]

Beautiful! You've got a good eye for form. I don't thing the finial is necessarily too tall at all. The elements you incorporated work beautifully for it and give it good lift. Very nice workmanship!

Keep 'em coming!

[Jim Kountz]

Holy smokes thats gorgeous!! Your form is amazing and the wood is just short of heavenly!! One bang up job!!

[Steve Mawson]

Agree with everyone else, great piece. Disagree with your comment about the foot. Form could not be improved in my book.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Belton that is beautiful for a first. The form, finish and wood are great.

[alex carey]

Nice finish and great shape. I think the finial works quite well.

[Gordon Thompson]

Stunning!

here I go again, "hubba, hubba" ;)

[Brian Effinger]

That is an amazing HF - whether it's your 1st or 101st. :) If you really don't like the finial and foot, you should just get rid of it. I'll do you the favor (this time) and take it off of your hands. :p

[Belton Garvin]

Thanks for all the praise and comments. I really had fun working on this one and think my next ones will go a little smoother. The one thing I really want to work on is the uniform and thin wall thickness. I think that is what gives hollow forms their popularity. Mine just doesn't have that lightness I was expecting to feel.