Ken Hill...thanks for the Burl-O-Rama!!

[Tim Rinehart]

Ken Hill made a very generous offering that went viral late in December, http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?178051-Burl-O-Rama&highlight=burl-o-rama .
I was lucky enough to get in on this, and here is the piece I made.
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The vessel is 5 1/2" wide, 3.5" tall, and overall perhaps 8" tall to tip of finial. Added some lapis inlay material and a walnut finial, along with some pyro on the collar ring and at the base. Antique Oil finish.
Comments and critiques welcome. As usual for me...my own critique is that a little lighter finial would be in order when I look at pics...though close up it seems ok. Go figure!

Thanks again Ken!! :D

[Don Alexander]

i echo the thanks to Ken for a very generous offering of gorgeous oak burl and the short visit we had right before Christmas was enjoyable too

i like what you did with it Tim very nice piece

[Nate Davey]

Wow, someones been busy. Beautiful piece of wood and nice form. Finial seems a tad large but well done.

[Eric Gourieux]

I like the form and the inlay. Did you turn it wet or was it already dry?

[Tim Leiter]

I agree, that is a very nice looking piece. But, to me the finial is way too big and too tall.

[Baxter Smith]

Great piece of wood and form Tim. I like the burned ring. It seems to fit with the rustic wood. The finial seems to dominate the form due to its size. I think it looks great without the finial in the second picture. I don't know how it would appear as a profile that way though with the neck being fairly tall. The finish fits as well.

[David E Keller]

Man, that is some gorgeous burl! I love the little touches of lapis and the pyrography, and I agree with your thoughts on the finial. I'd love to know more about your technique for the lapis(product, procedure, etc)... It really works with this piece for me!

[Donny Lawson]

Great piece of burl. I really like the extra coloring.

[Jim Burr]

The lapis took me by surpise! I think anything you would have used would be great...turquoise, red coral, brass filings, really anything with color. My idea for a finial on here would be a Keith Burns style...might be worth a shot!

[Tim Rinehart]

I like the form and the inlay. Did you turn it wet or was it already dry?
Thanks Eric. It wasn't bone dry, but was pretty stable. Just enough moisture that some areas have sunk a bit, which can be nice character like in this one.


Man, that is some gorgeous burl! I love the little touches of lapis and the pyrography, and I agree with your thoughts on the finial. I'd love to know more about your technique for the lapis(product, procedure, etc)... It really works with this piece for me!
Thanks David. The lapis is the rock and powder from Craft Supplies. I also have used their malachite, a favorite for me...may need to order some...hmmm. I get my final form set, before hollowing, and place filler in deep cracks till about 1/16" depth remains, no sense in wasting it filling deep cracks. I pretty much just use thin CA and place in larger chunks first. While the CA is still a bit wet, I'll carefully apply some powder with a small spatula. If you build up too much powder and then try applying the CA, sometimes it won't penetrate, and only top layer gets set and comes off when turning. I use my little carbide tool like you have to turn excess material off, then sand, normally starting at 120-180.


The lapis took me by surpise! I think anything you would have used would be great...turquoise, red coral, brass filings, really anything with color. My idea for a finial on here would be a Keith Burns style...might be worth a shot!
I want to try some red coral...I think it will look good with most woods. Will have to experiment with other designs for finials, incl Keith's.

[Mike Cruz]

That is just beautiful burl. I like the HF, too! I have to say that I'm not crazy about the walnut though (wood choice). Actually, I shouldn't say choice. I probably would have gone with that, too. But I don't think it matched well enough...Not sure what would have been better (other then Ebony). Just my eye...

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a great looking piece and burl. I probably would have left the finial off.

[Ken Hill]

You are very welcome. It turned out pretty sweet!