Spalted Maple Vase

[Bernie Weishapl]

Here is a spalted maple vase that I did last weekend. The finish is dry with 7 coats of wipe on poly and buffed. It wasn't the best maple in the world and was soft in several places. I turned the walls down to almost the thickness I wanted then I used my epoxy cocktail which is 5 min epoxy mix and then mixed with DNA to the consistancy of milk. I painted all the soft spots till they wouldn't take anymore. It didn't turn out half bad. It is 9 1/2" tall and 6" at the widest. I just got a couple of pictures as the lady it was made for showed up tonight to pick it up. It is for her new DIL for Christmas. She just raved about it and wrote the check for $130. Can't beat that.

[Kenneth Whiting]

That's a really nice vase, I like it.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Congrats on your sale Bernie! Beautiful vase! Great form, finish and I really like the spalted area! I am sure your customer is thrilled with the vase! Very nice work!

[David E Keller]

I can see why she raved. The form and finish are very nice.

[Jon Lanier]

Bernie, that is a beauty. Great job on it.

[alex carey]

It looks nice but you definitely need some better pictures to show off this beauty. It looks like there is tons we aren't seeing.

[ROY DICK]

Bernie,Way to go.
Very nice for sure.

Roy

[Ken Glass]

Bernie,
Very nice Vase. I am glad to see you put a collar on it. I like that about it a lot. I would have like to have seen her face when you showed it to her. Its also great to be able to sell our pieces to someone who truly appreciates them . Well Done!!

[Mike Minto]

i love hollow forms, and this one is very nice! your 'cocktail', does it change the color of the wood it's applied to? i'm always looking for ways to treat green/punky wood. also bernie, DIL? what's that? thanks for showing the photos. mike

[Rob Cunningham]

Very nice form and finish Bernie. I can see why she raved about it. Congrats on the sale.

[Skip Spaulding]

Very nice Bernie, good shape and size. Great sale also!
What tool are you using for your HFs? I assume you are using your DVR with bed extention for pieces like this. I am limited with the 1624 with no bed extention and I am using a Sorby swan neck tool. This works ok on shallow bowl shape HFs but I think I'm ready to try larger vase type pieces. It can't cost me much more than a mortgage payment can it?!:D
You just can't escape this "VORTEX":eek:

[Bernie Weishapl]

Thanks everyone for your comments. She just called about 1/2 hr ago and wants 2 more. I told her I didn't think I could get both done by Christmas but would try. She said fine. She would just tell them at Christmas that she has something on special order for them.

Mike the DIL stands for daughter-in-law. Mike the cocktail does not seem to change it at least not anymore than Minwax Wood hardener. I do a final cut or two using the sheer scrape on the outside and then sand.

Skip I used the articulating arm unit from Randy Privett at Monster Tools. The length of this vase is about the limit for the unit. I also have his captured unit which has a heavier bar he made for it so can go a lot deeper.

[Bill Bolen]

Lovely piece Bernie and congrats on the sale and repeat customer! Looks like you are well on your way to a busy retirement! How many days remain now?...Bill..

[Harvey Ghesser]

Bernie,

That's a lovely vase! Beautiful work. :)

Harv

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Nice vase Bernie. The form is dead on in my book and the finish is fantastic! Way to go on the sale!

[Tony De Masi]

Beautiful job on that one Bernie and congrats on the sale and future sales as well.

Tony

[Tony Wheeler]

how long of a life span does the thinned epoxy have or is it a one and done so only mix a little at a time nice hollow form by the way

[Bernie Weishapl]

how long of a life span does the thinned epoxy have or is it a one and done so only mix a little at a time nice hollow form by the way

You will need to use it right then. I mix it as I need it Tony. It will get thick after a while. Not in 5 minutes but most times before you can use it all.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Thanks again for all the comments. Hope the other two turn out as well.

[Maylon Harvey]

Really looking good Bernie. Love spalted maple and you sure did it justice.

[George Morris]

Great HF! Well done love the shape and finish! G

[Bernie Weishapl]

Thanks Maylon and George. Appreciate it.

[Alan Trout]

Bernie, congratulations on the sale and a very nice piece indeed.

Alan

[Bernie Weishapl]

Thanks Alan.

[Joe Mioux]

good looking vase bernie