Endgrain Maple Vase

[Steve Schlumpf]

This maple vase gave me fits when I roughed it out as it just gummed up the cutters and refused to cooperate! Finally got it roughed out, soaked it in DNA and set it aside for when I wanted to turn something that would totally frustrate me!

Well, frustrating or not – I liked the form and decided to finish it so I could submit it to a local juried art show that is coming up very soon.

Maple Vase, 10 ¼” high x 4” at widest diameter x 1/8” thick, sanded to 320 grit and has several coats of Minwax Wipe-On Gloss Poly. The vase is actually full of small curl but the photos did not capture that effect.

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As always, your comments, opinions and critiques are welcome!

Thanks for looking!

[Ted Calver]

Steve,
I really like the flagship of your new "Fits and Frustration" series!!

[Dave Schell]

Steve, that is a stunning shape to that vessel! It has really great lines. Somehow it evokes the image of the perfect female form in it. I can understand why you wanted to finish it.

[Quinn McCarthy]

Steve

Jury beware.

You are a shoe in witht that.

Just love the lines.

Quinn

[Ken Glass]

Steve,
You frustration doesn't show in the Vase. Is has great lines and the finish is rich looking. Very well done, you should do well in the Art show.

[Alan Tolchinsky]

Steve, I too like the shape you did there. And the finish gives it that special, expensive, I want to touch it look. Great job!

[Eugene Wigley]

Steve, that is great. I like the form and the wood. I'm sure you should do well with the pieces I have seen you post.
Thanks for posting it.

[Jeff Nicol]

Steve, I have been turning tons of hard maple the last few weeks and it has become one of my favorites! I am doing one like yours but it is on a bit bigger scale, it is a little over 20" tall and about 13" around. Total endgrain too and I know what you mean by frustrating cutting into it! I hope you do well in the juried show. I have to find one to enter one day to see what people think of my stuff.

Thanks for sharing,

Jeff

[alex carey]

elegant piece as usual. nice job.

[Dennis Ford]

It turned out very nice even if it was difficult to cut. Great shape!

[Tony De Masi]

A bit different shape than you are used to showing us but as usual the results are stunning to say the least. Good luck with the show.

Tony

[George Morris]

Steve great form ! Very classic. Good luck at the jury,should be no problem,great piece! G

[Bernie Weishapl]

Steve that is a beauty. Really like the form and finish on it. You should do well with that a the show.

[John Timberlake]

Very nice. Would love see the curl up close.

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Very nice clean shape Steve, well done :)

[Cody Colston]

Steve,

I'm very familiar with the "fits and frustration" part you mentioned. not so well versed in beautiful forms like that vase. You've got a winner there.

[Richard Madison]

Beautiful piece Steve. Excellent work on that very gentle curvature. Not a single flat spot anywhere. Gotta ask what hollowing rig did you use to go that deep? Am pretty sure the bottom is not 3" thick.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone - I really appreciate it!

Richard - I used the Monster Captured system with a 1/8" bit. The bottom is actually closer to 1" thick just to give it a little weight so it is not top heavy. Didn't like going that deep but as long as I took very light cuts it worked just fine. Plus - had to constantly check and make sure I was cutting at the center line - it does make a difference!

[Richard Madison]

Thanks Steve. Think my past difficulties have resulted from not cutting on centerline. Have traced this to the fact that home made tool rest is just a tad off level, so must account for this when checking height of cutting edge. Maybe should do a bit of grinding on tool rest before next HF.

Very nice turning. Hope the juror(s) will be aware of the skill it represents.

[Curt Fuller]

I never get tired of seeing your work Steve. Another beauty!

[Bill Bolen]

Beautiful piece Steve. Now that form and finish should get you some nice recognition in the show. Hope it is first place...Bill..

[Rob Cunningham]

Steve, as usual, another beautiful project. That has a really nice shape to it. You should do well at the show.

[Chris Rae]

Beautiful vase! I too, love the shape, it's wonderful!

[Scott Hackler]

That is real nice Steve. Your getting pretty adapt at running that hollowing rig!

[Steve Frederick]

That's another beauty!
I actually like it on it's side best..different!

[Harvey Ghesser]

I'd buy it! Beautiful work as always, Steve!

[Jim Becker]

Beautiful, Steve. I just love end-grain hollow forms! Nice!

[Mark Hubl]

Steve,

Really nice piece. Love the shape.

[Gary Conklin]

Steve, I haven't commented on this piece yet, because every time I look at it I am at a loss for words. So I will just say this I love it.

[Craig Powers]

I'll have to agree with the rest. I really like the shape.
Nice job.

[Walt Caza]

Wow Steve,
You have raised the bar sooo high...
I'm running out of superlatives!

Gorgeous HF. Another winner from the Upper Peninsula!
Good luck at the art show.

Thanks for sharing a peek with the Creek,
be well,
Walt