NE BLM Burl Lidded Dish - Pedestal

[John Keeton]

Big Leaf Maple burl, with walnut pedestal and finial. Finish was BLO, shellac, and several coats of lacquer, then triple buffed with Ren wax. I apologize for the glare in the pics. I worked with the lighting, but the finish on this piece is deep and very reflective.

I will post a couple of additional pics of the beginnings of this piece. I love turning the BLM burls, but this one apparently wrapped around a limb. There were evident growth rings in the center, accompanied by a knot. Made it a little challenging at times, but not bad.

The first finial just didn't suit me, so this is the second one. Actually, it is the third one. I had the first redo just about done. I was looking it over, and thought.....you know, I think I need to make that undercut just a little deeper. First of all....never make that last cut....and, NEVER try it with a less than very sharp detail gouge!!! Amazing how quickly one can destroy a piece of walnut that is .09" thin.:eek:

Dimensions are 9.5" wide x 9.5" tall to tip. Height from base to lid shelf is 4.5", and the height of the lid and finial combined is 4.75".

All comments, good and bad, are welcome!:)

[Steve Schlumpf]

Excellent John! Beautiful turning, wood, finish, colors and form! Great photos as well! Very impressive work!

I do think this finial is a marked improvement over the original! Glad you took the time!

[Roger Chandler]

John,

You have certainly raised the bar once again. While it is a hard call to make with all that you have posted previously, and their quality of form, finish and skill; in this observers opinion, this turning reaches just a bit up the scale in workmanship, form, finish and a display of skill.

One can only surmise that you have a gift for this type of artisan work. It is evident in all your pieces that you put a lot of thought and attention in planning, and in how you will take the sequential steps to accomplish your project.

This one is just stunning! A truly gifted artisan you are.....I run out of superlatives....I don't believe in flattery, but I do believe in acknowledgment of fine work, because I being a fellow wood worker and wood turner know when work comes to a point of excellence...... you have hit the bullseye with this one! Congratulations!

I just had to add this: what an eye for form you have! I hope to develop mine to your level.... I am working on it!

[George Clark]

John,

Without a doubt, one of the most creative and beautiful pieces I have seen. This piece exemplifies what I consider to be turned wood art. Simply magnificent!

George

[John Keeton]

Steve, on the finial - it was worth the effort - twice!!:eek: But, the practice is always good, and while I know that sharp tools are a must, it is good to know what happens when a moment of laziness hits. I had been working with that detail gouge through the entire finial, and knew better than to attempt a critical cut without touching up the edge.

Roger, thanks so much for your kind words. They go beyond the usual comments, and I appreciate them.

George, thanks so much!

This is the block of burl I started with.
156500
I keep a variety of waste tenons. If I am careful, I can reuse them several times. I glued one to the bottom of this piece, chucked it, and rough turned it. I flattened an area on the top face, and glued on another waste tenon to use to turn the lid. Then I parted off the top of the burl.
156501
It was a simple matter to flip it and turn the lid.

[Cathy Schaewe]

Yay, he's baaaack! ;)

John, how long do you wait before buffing lacquer? And am I correct in thinking you're using spray lacquer? What's your procedure to keep from orange peel?

And, while I'm asking questions, how do you attach the base? a tenon and some glue?
Finally, did you do something to emphasize the bark on the rim, or is that just the blo?

BTW, it's absolutely gorgeous. Of course. :)

[Pete Jordan]

Excellent John!

Which shellac and lacquer do you use?

[Faust M. Ruggiero]

If I were at a show of the finest, most artistic turners in our fine country and saw that piece it would be one that I would come home and talk about as among the best of the best. Really a delight to the eye.
fmr

[Ken Fitzgerald]

John,

For someone who bought his first lathe last September, wasn't it? You are one quick student and gifted artist!

I really like the way your base, and finial have a slow gradual taper from the foot to the top.

The overall NE form is great. The finish couldn't be better IMHO.

My friend.............this doesn't look like any spindle turning for a piece of furniture.:rolleyes:

I think you have found a craft to express some natural artistic talents born within you.

Very, very nicely done!

[Michael E. Thompson]

John,

Great job. The pedistal and finial are perfect, love the color combo as well.

[Gary Conklin]

Amazing, this must mean that Mrs. Keeton's project is complete?:p

[Bill Bolen]

Ahh, the bookcase must be done!? Beautiful piece John, as a matter of fact I think it is the prettiest piece I have seen on the web....Bill...

[Scott Hackler]

Top notch work, like usual John. I expecially like the pedestal and burl part. Although I think it is just fine as is, I will say that from the burl down it is fantastic by itself and I wonder if a short simple topper wouldnt suit it better. I am just thinking that the base and burl are just so darn nice, I wouldnt want to distract anyones eyes by having the thin and tall finial on top. Just a thought.

Great work, and if you need my address for a storage place for this piece, just let me know! :)

[John Keeton]

Thanks to all for the comments!!

Yes, Gary, Ms. Keeton's project is done, and she agreed to be in charge of painting!!!:D She is a great woman! I hate painting.

Ken, it has been a steep downhill slide for me!! And, I owe much of that to you and a few of the others in the "gang" that sucked me in!:D;)

I have to single out Steve Schlumpf - my "go to" design committee. Steve tolerates my constant emails about little decisions along the way, and has been patiently helpful. Thanks, Steve!


Yay, he's baaaack! ;)

John, how long do you wait before buffing lacquer? And am I correct in thinking you're using spray lacquer? What's your procedure to keep from orange peel?

And, while I'm asking questions, how do you attach the base? a tenon and some glue?
Finally, did you do something to emphasize the bark on the rim, or is that just the blo?

BTW, it's absolutely gorgeous. Of course. :)Cathy, the first 4-5 coats were Deft brush on lacquer. After those, I flattened with 400 and then 600 sandpaper (waited overnite.) Then, I buffed with Tripoli, wiped it down, and sprayed on a few coats of Deft. Within an hour, I flattened again with 600 lightly, then rubbed lightly with 0000. Yes, I know, this breaks all the rules, but I immediately triple buffed. It shouldn't work, but it does for me. At Steve's suggestion, I keep the speed on the buffing to about 700 rpms - a little higher (1200?) for the bowl buffs to do the dished area.

When I turn a finial, I leave a 1/4" stub (short) tenon on it and saw it off the stock. The underside of the base is under cut with a pulling shear cut with the detail gouge similar to what you would do on the outside of the surface of a bowl. When I do the lid, I use a tailstock jacob chuck and drill a 1/4" hole in the center of the lid to receive the finial. It is glued with 5 minute epoxy.

On the pedestal base, the top is coved/undercut, and where the tailstock center mark was, I drilled a small hole to receive a small section of a #3 finish nail. On the bottom of the bowl portion, the tailstock mark was still present, and I barely touched it with the same drill bit. I applied the 5 minute epoxy to the top surface of the pedestal, inserted the nail section, and joined the bowl by lining up the nail in the center mark. It is critical to get these pieces aligned, else the lid will not sit level, and any deviation will show in the finial.

On the rim, there is some bark left, and there were a couple of places where the NE was missing and saw marks were present. With a knife and sandpaper, I formed those section to conform with the undulations in the rim, mixed some black and brown dye, and wiped most all of the rim to darken it. It was actually not dark at all under the bark and I wanted the contrast to match the areas of bark inclusions.

Hope that answered all of them, Cathy!


Excellent John!

Which shellac and lacquer do you use?Pete, the shellac is Zinsser Seal Coat, and the spray can was used on the finial and base.

[Curt Fuller]

Very nice John!

[Mark Hubl]

Another very nice piece of wood and great execution. Photos look fine. Shiney is hard to take pics of. Your reflections highlight the work.

[Mike Svoma]

Beutiful work, John. I really like this piece.

[Baxter Smith]

Dang! That is a nice piece of work John! (And a lot of work too!)

[Tim Rinehart]

Don't know what else to say that hasn't been said.

Thanks for the great explanations on your finish techniques.

[David DeCristoforo]

My dad had a friend named George who always said "May I say buddy... you've done it again..." Instantly recognizable as a "Keeton" (or is that Rogers?)

BTW, not to digress but whatever happened with the show you had your work in?

[Bernie Weishapl]

Dang John I was going to ask but you beat me to it. I was going to ask if you had to sneak to the shop to do that beautiful piece????:eek::rolleyes: Or was it that the LOYL's project has been completed.

[David E Keller]

Beautiful work. I especially like the form of the burl piece and the way the natural edge extends upward and outward(reminds me of a bird spreading its wings). The little undercut at the bottom of the base really elevates the piece visually as if it were about to take flight.

I'd love to know how you part off the lid section for these lidded natural edge pieces.

[Frank Van Atta]

An exceptionally beautiful piece, John.

[Fred Perreault]

Johnny,
You can't be making this stuff..... are you buying them at a yard sale???
Another remarkable piece..... you alone are worth the price of admission for this forum. Oh, to have the patience, perseverance, imagination....or whatever it is that you possess to create this "beautiful stuff".

[gary Zimmel]

Another beauty John....
This is one of my favorites. Well it will be until the next one comes off your lathe..
Sweet work again.

[Tom Sherman]

Mr Keeton sir, I believe you have achieved nirvana with this piece. Absolutely Stunning. I'm not likin the idea of any changes to this beauty. I am actually picturing it on Mrs Keeton's new bookcase with accent lighting of course.

[Michael James]

John, I'm speechless...almost.:cool: Drozda better look out cuz it looks like keeton and parton have arrived on the scene. When I grow up I would like to be able to do a reasonable facsimile of that type of piece. Now, Im too ham handed to do finials, but I do occasionally practice on some pine.

I've always been afraid to try to add coats after the polishing compound, but apparently it can be done. That finish is exquisite...as is the rest of the piece, including the wood choice(s).
Kudos to you!
mj

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Big Leaf Maple burl, with walnut pedestal and finial. Finish was BLO, shellac, and several coats of lacquer, then triple buffed with Ren wax. I apologize for the glare in the pics. I worked with the lighting, but the finish on this piece is deep and very reflective.

I will post a couple of additional pics of the beginnings of this piece. I love turning the BLM burls, but this one apparently wrapped around a limb. There were evident growth rings in the center, accompanied by a knot. Made it a little challenging at times, but not bad.

The first finial just didn't suit me, so this is the second one. Actually, it is the third one. I had the first redo just about done. I was looking it over, and thought.....you know, I think I need to make that undercut just a little deeper. First of all....never make that last cut....and, NEVER try it with a less than very sharp detail gouge!!! Amazing how quickly one can destroy a piece of walnut that is .09" thin.:eek:

Dimensions are 9.5" wide x 9.5" tall to tip. Height from base to lid shelf is 4.5", and the height of the lid and finial combined is 4.75".

All comments, good and bad, are welcome!:)

Really beautiful piece John, I really like the look and form of the main body, now not saying the finial/pedestal isn't nice, I like the piece with no pedestal more so than with it, that is just my hang-up I'm sure :)

I took the liberty to take one picture and just shopped the pedestal from it, I like it that way :eek:

156560

[John Hart]

Can't believe I didn't see this til now! Wow. Beautiful. The first thing I zeroed in on was the wonderful sweep you made up from the foot. You gave it a unique thickness and radius, which really fits well and starts my eyes on a nice journey upward.

[Scott Hackler]

And this was what I was refering to....or something similar (still love the original, but this would really do it for me).

[Paul Douglass]

Holly Cow! There is way too much talent on this forum. When I grow up I want to be as good a turner as all of you. That piece is absolutely beautiful.

[William Hutchinson]

The student exceeds the Master. It's rumored that CindyD refuses to sell you any more DVD's. You'll have to make your own, start doing demo's, teaching classes and develop a line of signature Keeton tools. Just remember us little people when we are patiently waiting in those long lines at the book signing events.:D

[John Keeton]

You folks are abundantly kind and gracious with your comments. I do appreciate everyone taking the time to look. This was an enjoyable piece to make, with no real "moments" except for the destruction of the second finial redo.

BTW, not to digress but whatever happened with the show you had your work in?David, it was the local guild gallery that I was juried in. Several of my pieces are on exhibit there (and for sale) but it gets very little traffic. I have another high end gallery in a small tourist destination town that has agreed to take my work. But, I have to wait until mid August as I am submitting 5 pieces for jury session in the Kentucky Guild. I am hopeful, yet apprehensive about that. If I am accepted, I hope it will open some other more doors for me. My goal is to get my work in 2 or 3 decent galleries and hopefully sell something!!


I'd love to know how you part off the lid section for these lidded natural edge pieces.David, the pic included in my follow up post shows the lid section after it was parted off. I used this shop made tool - Paul Atkins style.
156625
The planer blade that is not in the tool is the parting blade. The other one is ground for a particular task on another piece I did. The tool comes in handy as I have several planer blades on which I can quickly grind a different edge that is task specific - and, regrind it later for something else.


Johnny,
You can't be making this stuff..... are you buying them at a yard sale???
Another remarkable piece..... you alone are worth the price of admission for this forum. Oh, to have the patience, perseverance, imagination....or whatever it is that you possess to create this "beautiful stuff".Thanks, Fred! I acknowledge that the good Lord has blessed my life immensely. Ms. Keeton and I have very little in responsibilities other than our own indulgences. Our 5 kids are self sufficient and demand little from us other than time with the grandkids - and we want and need that.

For others, their shop time may be much more limited, and I do believe that makes a difference.

I still work 30 hours a week or so, and my hobbies/interests are limited to hunting and woodworking. Those two are time exclusive - when I hunt, I hunt (no woodworking!) and vice versa. So, when I have an idea on a project, I "think" it to completion before I ever go to the shop.

I nearly always formulate an idea for a turning first, and then choose the wood to match the project. Seems most folks take a piece of wood and develop an idea from the wood.


I am actually picturing it on Mrs Keeton's new bookcase with accent lighting of course.Tom, you need to spend an hour or two in the Keeton house!:D Ms. Keeton's space is HERS! My space is mine. Hers is air conditioned and carpeted. Mine has concrete floors and sweltering temps! I hope this piece ends up in someone's elses home eventually!


And this was what I was refering to....or something similar (still love the original, but this would really do it for me).Scott, that is certainly a neat look, and I like it. I guess my response to both you and Leo is that I really do enjoy the mix of the spindle turning and bowl turning these pieces permit. Finials and pedestals are as much fun for me as the bowl part. So, in large part, these pieces are more my inclusion of my personal creative needs as much as trying to achieve a piece that may appeal to more folks.

However, I do like both of the "revisions" posted by you and by Leo.:D


Just remember us little people when we are patiently waiting in those long lines at the book signing events.:DWilliam, the book - short though it is - is complete! Entitled "How to Completely Divest Your Time and Money is Six Short Months!!" For some reason, I do not anticipate large sales?!?:confused::eek::D

[Michelle Rich]

I saw on WoW and commented and it's worth doing it here too..You should name this piece PERFECTION..it has it all. Thank you for posting & sharing 7 delighting my eye. :)

[Steve Schlumpf]

John - Congrats on getting today's cover honors for WOW! Not many get that honor and you have already done it twice! That, my friend, is impressive!

Looking forward to your next creation!

[Roger Chandler]

John - Congrats on getting today's cover honors for WOW! Not many get that honor and you have already done it twice! That, my friend, is impressive!

Looking forward to your next creation!


Steve,

For those who like me have an ignorance of what WOW is, would you please explain it. Is it a forum, a website or an organization? I am sure that W.O.W. represents something, but alas this turner is in the dark on this one, so if you would be so kind, please turn the lights on :D

[Bill Wilcox]

What can be said that hasn't already been said John. Lovely piece.
I really think some time you need to hook up your vidoe camrea and film the process of making your creations. I wold love to see something like that from you.
Thanks for the porn,
Bill Wilcox

[Steve Schlumpf]

Roger,

WOW stands for World of Woodturners and is a private website. All members are there only through invitation of another turner. It has a worldwide membership and boasts some really big names in the world of turned art.

Each day a different turning is chosen as their cover of the day. It is a worldwide competition for that honor! John has won it twice now! Says a little something about how fast he has risen in the world of turning!

[Rich Aldrich]

John,

Really nice piece. Very creative.

[Mark Hubl]

John - Congrats on getting today's cover honors for WOW! Not many get that honor and you have already done it twice! That, my friend, is impressive!

John, Congrats on the WOW cover as well. Way to go!

[John Keeton]

I am so very humbled and blessed to have the support and friendship of so many here.:o All of you should realize what a difference that makes.

Just imagine how a new turner would react if he/she received ridicule and negativism from a forum such as this. Creativity would be quickly snuffed out.

But, you guys/gals, from the get go, have encouraged me, as you do others. All of you accepted me into this group, and gave support and constructive comments over the months.

THANKS!:):)

And, Steve, a special thanks to you! You have invested much time and effort into my travels, and I really appreciate it.

Bill, I don't own a video camera, and unfortunately, I am not sure you would gain much from watching me. There would be a lot of boring footage of me simply standing at my lathe, pondering over a piece of wood. I watched the same videos everyone else has, and I am sure my cuts are done pretty much like everyone else does theirs.

Most of what goes into the pieces I do occurs while I am watching TV. I really think about this stuff WAY too much!!:eek:

[Harlan Coverdale]

I missed this earlier, but I must say it's been great watching you develop, and doing it so quickly. This piece is another excellent example of that progression. Wonderful work, and congrats on the WoW cover.

[Josh Bowman]

I still work 30 hours a week or so, and my hobbies/interests are limited to hunting and woodworking. Those two are time exclusive - when I hunt, I hunt (no woodworking!) and vice versa. So, when I have an idea on a project, I "think" it to completion before I ever go to the shop.

I nearly always formulate an idea for a turning first, and then choose the wood to match the project. Seems most folks take a piece of wood and develop an idea from the wood.

John thanks for the beautiful look at such a master piece! I really like the explanation and insight about your turnings. I can think to completion on flat work, but I need to develop that into the round.

[Michelle Rich]

Congrats on your WOW cover of the day. As one who has also had that thrust upon herself, it sure is heady, ain't it? It gave me uumph to keep turning, as my peers gave me a big pat on the back. You deserve that "pat on the back" your work is superb for such a "young" turner..let's see 43-44-45....

[John Keeton]

Congrats on your WOW cover of the day. As one who has also had that thrust upon herself, it sure is heady, ain't it? It gave me uumph to keep turning, as my peers gave me a big pat on the back. You deserve that "pat on the back" your work is superb for such a "young" turner..let's see 43-44-45....Thanks, Michelle....and, I faintly recall being 45!!;) That was just after the birth of our first of soon to be 14 grandchildren!:eek:

[Roland Martin]

Now that I have a clue as to what WOW is, congratulations John, twice:). The fact that you can completely visuallize and design these pieces prior to turning them and following through to completion is absolutely amazing to me. You've got the complete package and wish you the absolute best in your journey. I admire your turning skills as much as your personality.
This latest piece is an absolute pleasure to look at, the foresight given to this turning developed into a spectacular form, an amazing piece of BLM, and a finish you should be very proud of. IMHO, the photography is amazing, given the challenge you've been dealt. Thank you very much for posting, John, the inspiration you give us is priceless:).

[Richard Madden]

If I might jump in here just to repeat what has been said so many times already. Beautiful work, perfect proportions between pedestal, main form and finial. You have nailed it, and you should be proud.

[Harvey Ghesser]

Beautiful. Just beautiful!

[steven carter]

John,

Simply outstanding work of art! There is not a single thing I can see that would be an improvement to this piece. I wonder if you have been in contact with the Kentucky Artisan Center about your work. I stop in there every time I travel down I-75. It is at exit 77 I believe, near Berea. They have some turning there, and while they have some nice pieces, I believe your work would be the capstone.

Steve

[John Keeton]

Thanks, Steven! I am applying for admission to the Kentucky Guild, and the jury session is in August. That apparently is a prerequisite step to getting one's work in the Artisan Center. We shall see how it goes!!