When do you put a pedestal on a HF?

[Chris Haas]

is it a matter of preference, or practicality?

on sunday i turned a camphor HF from a crotch, cam out well, but it warped a little and now it wobbles on a table, i'm thinking of turning the finial and a pedestal out of camphor and dyeing them black, not completely black, just enough to change the color?

i guess my question is well.... why would someone put a pedestal on an HF? BTW demensions are about 13 wide by 6 tall with a 1.5 inch hole, down to 1/8th inch thick, will show pics once its done.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Chris - to me, adding a pedestal and finial is a matter of personal preference and is something I take into consideration during the design phase of turning the hollow form - not after it had been completed. I use the pedestal/finial to give the form lift, highlight a delicate hollow form and create something a little different than my normal HF.

You can add these items to your HF but make sure to take the shape of the HF into consideration and blend the pedestal/finial with it - or else it can look like an afterthought and would subtract from the finished product.

If the only reason is to prevent the HF from rocking on a table - apply 3 sticky-backed felt dots to the bottom of the HF and your problem will disappear!

Best of luck with your decision! Looking forward to seeing the photos!

[Bill Bolen]

Great tip Steve! If I still have an unused brain cell I will file that away for future use.
Chris, I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago with a punky but heavily spalted birch HF. I cut a small piece of Walnut, ebonised it and glued it to the bottom of the HF. Looks as if the bottom 1/2" is a solid black disc and compliments the spalting very well. I used a cone center (home made 4 sure) to help remounting to the lathe...Bill..

[Bernie Weishapl]

Chris I am not sure I would put a pedestal on it. I would remount it either in a vacuum chuck or donut chuck and retrue the bottom. I always incorporate the pedestal and finial when I decide the design of the piece.

[Chris Haas]

rechuck is not really possible, i it has bark inclusions and it is just so darn delicate, unless i made a donut chuck, but i really dont want to do that right now. do you guys really design how the hf will look before you start turning, i'm a hobby turner at best, but i always find myself with a vauge idea of what i want, then let the figure and inclusions sort of dictate the final shape.

i think i will turn a pedestal and finial and take pics with and without and let you guys decide, besides, its really not going to be going anywhere, my wife still doesnt know what she's supposed to do with an HF, she says the darn holed is too small to put anything in.

[Neal Addy]

I agree with the others. A pedestal is a matter of personal choice. They're normally a decorative element for art pieces, although you do see them on the occasional utility piece.

Keep in mind that a pedestal doesn't have to be tall or fancy. Sometimes simple is best.

Here are two different styles of pedestals to consider. Also, be sure to check out Keith Burn's work for ideas and inspiration.

125670 125671

[Barry Richardson]

Chris asked:


why would someone put a pedestal on an HF?

Better question is; why do we make HFs in the first place? I have several setting around the house, they don't seem to sell that well at craft shows for me, they dont have much pratical use, they are very tedious and often frusterating,.... but I cant stop.....It's what I do:o

[Tom Giacomo]

Barry, it must be the vortex. What's the last time you ate from a wood bowl, or drank from a wood cup or wore a wood hat? But we keep making them. I'm OK, but I'm begining to worry about you guys.

[robert hainstock]

when it is necessesary to save the project. Like when you've jusy turned it in to a funnel. Then it should compliment the shape of the HF.125695 This was my humble attempt to save a nice maple burl. :)

Bob

[Chris Haas]

well, here are some pics of the HF. http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z194/haas6291/IMG_0040.jpghttp://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z194/haas6291/IMG_0039.jpghttp://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z194/haas6291/IMG_0041.jpg

[Chris Haas]

only a few coats of wipe on poly, not done yet, but i have to say, i like the pedestal without large finial approach. also, heres a few pics of a staircase we just finished.http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z194/haas6291/IMG_4973.jpghttp://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z194/haas6291/IMG_4970.jpghttp://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z194/haas6291/IMG_4992.jpg