Pendant #7

[Scott Lux]

Here is my latest pendant, lucky number 7. My wife requested a large one for her friend's birthday. This is 3" diameter, and 5/8" thick. It's a piece of maple that was part of a church steeple for 100 years. When it finally came down, a friend of mine got some scrap.

Three new (for me) techniques: Coffee ground inlay, brass inserts, and drilling through laterally. I'm not sure about the brass. I cut it with dikes, and I liked the way the facets caught the light, so I left them. I think next time I'll flatten them.

Comments and Critiques welcome. Especially critiques.

[Baxter Smith]

When I first saw this I thought "A bug".:D Then after counting, more specifically a spider. Hope your wifes friend doesn't have a similar imagination or arachnophobia. Either way, I like it a lot!

[Mike Minto]

arachnids have 8 legs...

[David E Keller]

I like the inlay a lot, but I'm not sure I like the brass inserts. It's a nice looking pendant, and at that size, it will be quite a statement piece.

[Wally Dickerman]

Very nice....instead of the brass you could have installed a pearl or a ruby or just a nice chunk of turquoise..:-))

Wally

[John Keeton]

Scott, I like the overall inlay pattern, but I think the piece calls out for an accent piece in the space - something of more prominence than the brass. I like the idea of some form of stone, abalone, etc. in the space.

[Jim Slovik]

I made one and inserted copper wire into pre-drilled holes. I cut the excess off with nippers and then cleaned the edges up with a very sharp bowl gouge. That way the copper inlay followed the contour of the pendant face and did not stand proud.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Very nice looking pendant. I am not sure about the brass. Just not doing it for me.

[Ted Calver]

I like the lateral drill idea and the inlay concept too. I'd like the brass better if it was sanded flat with the surface and shaped like the big dipper.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Looks pretty cool to me Scott! Really like the way the coffee grounds brought out the design!

I also like Wally's suggestions of using stone. Looking forward to your next creation!

[Jon Lanier]

I like that. What were your settings for you cuts?

[Scott Lux]

The brass looks better in person, but I agree with the group, it's not great.

I cut the brass, pushed it in with a nail set, and filled over it with CA. Next time, I'll find a way to make a small dome on it, just proud of the surface.

John, I intended to write them down. But of course that didn't happen. I know it was hole #3, and I think it was 0-0, 0-3, 0-6.

One tip with designs. make a mark on your tool rest for consistent placement. I eyeballed this one and it's not very precise.

[Roger Bullock]

Nice looking pendant. Could you explain the coffee inlay process? My backer plate should be here today and this is something I might want to try.

[Scott Lux]

I used a small pyramid point tool (any small tool would work) and made a groove. Moved the plate to the next position, and made a (nearly) matching groove. Repeat as needed.

Then I took some coffee grounds (used) dried them in the toaster oven, and pressed them into the grooves. Next, I poured thin CA over the mess. USe as thin as you can get. You want it to penetrate the grounds.

The next day I sanded smooth and patched a couple spots using the same method.

[Scott Lux]

My wife pointed out to me that this isn't #7. It's #10. I hope that doesn't ruin it for anyone.

[Paul Douglass]

I like it. Got my little chuck out last night and started look at it. Got to saddle it up and give it another try. First I want to make some templates as described on IAP. I can see where that would be real handy. I'm also pondering some kind of jig for a tool rest so you could keep a constant location/angle.

[Greg Ketell]

I love it!

[Baxter Smith]

arachnids have 8 legs...

You are right but with my eyesight, I just put all the lines together!:)

Guess I will have to start making coffee. Grounds for this and grounds for that.:D

[Scott Lux]

Go to your local coffee shop or diner. They're happy to get rid of them. $tarbucks even gives away bagged grounds for composting/soil amendment during the summer.