Baxter Smith
06-07-2011, 3:48 PM
This winter Jerry Marcantel offered to send me some cholla cactus to put on the lathe. Not being one to turn down wood(or something sort of like it) I couldn’t resist. A month or so later this package arrived.
197155
What I thought would be a piece to try......., ended up being the whole cactus! It had been carefully cut up and numbered to fit into the box… but all ready for reassembly.
197160
Also inside was a small mesquite crotch.
Since I had just started the week long process of applying finish to a vase, I was looking for something else to turn. Didn’t quite know how to proceed with the cactus, but the mesquite seemed interesting. Stuck it on the lathe thinking some kind of HF with some local holly for accents . As I turned away the checking in the ends, it became apparent that I wasn’t going to get rid of all of it. For some unknown reason, I started thinking about a raised collar and matching bottom. I didn't remember seeing one like that (and was thinking there’s probably a good reason why) but proceeded anyway!
Wanted to try some simple curves on the top and bottom holly so ended up with these …. even though I was questioning the lengths and thicknesses from the start.(and rightly so!) I told Jerry that I would post a pic when finished but……:o
197158
Finished all three of these at the same time so took a
picture but never posted.
197162
Thought I might try and either touch up the top and bottom of the HF or just do a new finial and pedestal.
197156197159
After 5 weeks I had done neither:o when a couple days ago I receive another box in the mail from Arizona!
Inside was a custom chuck plate and a piece of desert ironwood. Very neat!!! :)
197157197161
I am not sure if the chunky monkey is finished or not… but..at least ...I haven't blown it up trying to return it. Thank You Jerry for some cool things!
197155
What I thought would be a piece to try......., ended up being the whole cactus! It had been carefully cut up and numbered to fit into the box… but all ready for reassembly.
197160
Also inside was a small mesquite crotch.
Since I had just started the week long process of applying finish to a vase, I was looking for something else to turn. Didn’t quite know how to proceed with the cactus, but the mesquite seemed interesting. Stuck it on the lathe thinking some kind of HF with some local holly for accents . As I turned away the checking in the ends, it became apparent that I wasn’t going to get rid of all of it. For some unknown reason, I started thinking about a raised collar and matching bottom. I didn't remember seeing one like that (and was thinking there’s probably a good reason why) but proceeded anyway!
Wanted to try some simple curves on the top and bottom holly so ended up with these …. even though I was questioning the lengths and thicknesses from the start.(and rightly so!) I told Jerry that I would post a pic when finished but……:o
197158
Finished all three of these at the same time so took a
picture but never posted.
197162
Thought I might try and either touch up the top and bottom of the HF or just do a new finial and pedestal.
197156197159
After 5 weeks I had done neither:o when a couple days ago I receive another box in the mail from Arizona!
Inside was a custom chuck plate and a piece of desert ironwood. Very neat!!! :)
197157197161
I am not sure if the chunky monkey is finished or not… but..at least ...I haven't blown it up trying to return it. Thank You Jerry for some cool things!