Garrett Lambert
04-22-2003, 7:48 PM
I have a small collection of burls that I've been picking up at every opportunity, but to be honest, I've been uninspired. This afternoon I decided to just have at a small piece of yellow cedar that's been hanging around for a couple of years. After looking at it from every possible angle, I decided to turn it off-center to keep as much of the natural form as possible, and to make a table centre-piece suitable for flowers.
So far, it's a success if only because my wife likes it. However, the problem is that she wants a glossy finish.
This is the piece as it came off the lathe a few minutes ago, i.e. no sanding at all.
<IMG SRC="http://www3.telus.net/GLI/YCedarCpiece.jpg">
<BR>
As you can see, the outside is weathered, and I'm afraid to touch it with any abrasive, even steel wool. First, it's impossible to get at the entire surface because of the whorls and tightly packed whatever-the-bumps-are-called. (Anyone know?); and second, cutting through the slightly glossy cambium(?) layer would really create a mess.
And, to top it off, since there's no second chance if the first finish doesn't work, I'd sure be grateful for suggestions.
Cheers, Garrett
So far, it's a success if only because my wife likes it. However, the problem is that she wants a glossy finish.
This is the piece as it came off the lathe a few minutes ago, i.e. no sanding at all.
<IMG SRC="http://www3.telus.net/GLI/YCedarCpiece.jpg">
<BR>
As you can see, the outside is weathered, and I'm afraid to touch it with any abrasive, even steel wool. First, it's impossible to get at the entire surface because of the whorls and tightly packed whatever-the-bumps-are-called. (Anyone know?); and second, cutting through the slightly glossy cambium(?) layer would really create a mess.
And, to top it off, since there's no second chance if the first finish doesn't work, I'd sure be grateful for suggestions.
Cheers, Garrett