Red Oak bowl

[Scot Roberge]

Here's another recently finished bowl. This is a piece red oak that was roughed out 2/09. Spent a year in a bag and a couple sitting on the workbench. I didn't realized how "clunky" the form looked until I made the pictures. 6.9 x 3.9". Two coats of lacquer followed by six coats of poly, then paste wax. Oak is a pain to turn and finish, but I like the dramatic grain and the way the medullary ray patterns intersect the growth rings on this one. No photo of bottom before it left home. Comments and critique requested.236255236256236254

[Deane Allinson]

I really like how the ray pattern shows up on this piece. I have been thinking of trying to turn some white oak that I have stashed away. A little more "roll" to the bottom edge would help out the chunky effect. Nice piece.
Deane

[Scot Roberge]

Thanks for pointing out the base being the issue with the form. The pieces I am roughing out now have proportionately much smaller bases.

[Pat Scott]

Curious why you put poly on top of lacquer? Both are top coats, I've always been taught that you use one or the other.

[Scot Roberge]

Pat:

I've been experimenting with using a couple of wipe-on coats of lacquer to get the bowl sealed and begin filling the grain. It dries quickly - so I can then get on with my finish of choice. Really, I guess I'm using it the same as sanding sealer - it just happens that I've got an old gallon of lacquer that needs to be used up . . .

[Prashun Patel]

No harm using it as a grain filler if it works for you.

I also prefer to seal first underneath film finishes. It speeds finishing, saves on the number of top coat layers you have to apply, and allows you to get to an even sheen in fewer top coats.

Shellac is also good for this.

[charlie knighton]

very nice.....

[Bernie Weishapl]

Nice bowl. I also use shellac rather than lacquer. I like it because it is compatable with other finishes.

[Billy Tallant]

Nice looking bowl!