Pat Scott
09-11-2015, 8:13 PM
This is a 15" Black Walnut platter that I tried out a couple of new tools and techniques on.
The first new technique is what catches your eye right away - the scalloped edge. A few years ago I saw a video that Mick Hanbury from the UK did. In that video he used the Robert Sorby spiraling tool to create a spiral edge on a platter. I liked the looks and finally bought a spiraling tool. This was the 3rd piece I tried it out on. I used the largest spiraling wheel, and I think next time I'll try the medium as it might be easier to cut the spirals. There was tearout in the end grain as expected, so some tedious sanding was required.
The 2nd thing is nothing fancy. I got a couple of different sized beading tools from D-Way Tools so wanted to play with them too. I used a 3/16" beading tool to create the bead that separates the rim from the center. I like the tool!
Next was a couple things on the back. I usually make a small recess on my platters, but Mick used a dovetail sized for his jaws, and he disguised the dovetail as a bead. What appealed to me about this technique is you can completely finish the bottom before turning it around to do the front. I mean you can finish sand, do any details, and even apply a finish if desired. Usually when I make a recess, after completing the front I have to turn it around again and put it on my vacuum chuck to finish the foot. This is when I remove the dovetail, finish sand, etc. Doing it Micks way saves a step. I made a bead sized to fit my 7" Vicmarc jaws, and it's small enough that you can't see that part of the bead is actually a dovetail unless you look real close.
I had a shallow cove to the outside of the dovetail so there wouldn't be any wood that interfered with the jaws. I was spending way too much time sanding the cove and trying to get rid of all the sanding scratches as Walnut is notorious for. That's when it dawned on me that I should texture it to hide any sanding scratches. I whipped out my Henry Taylor Elf decorating tool and gave it a go. Boy do I like the look! It's an extra detail that you aren't expecting when you look at the bottom.
All in all, I think I just found my new "signature" foot for platters. I liked using a dovetail bead so I could completely finish the bottom before doing the front. It was a nice feeling to finish the front and be done! I also like what the Elf adds to the bottom. It really only takes a minute or two more, but I think it adds a nice extra touch.
The finish is several coats of Danish Oil. C & C welcome.
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The first new technique is what catches your eye right away - the scalloped edge. A few years ago I saw a video that Mick Hanbury from the UK did. In that video he used the Robert Sorby spiraling tool to create a spiral edge on a platter. I liked the looks and finally bought a spiraling tool. This was the 3rd piece I tried it out on. I used the largest spiraling wheel, and I think next time I'll try the medium as it might be easier to cut the spirals. There was tearout in the end grain as expected, so some tedious sanding was required.
The 2nd thing is nothing fancy. I got a couple of different sized beading tools from D-Way Tools so wanted to play with them too. I used a 3/16" beading tool to create the bead that separates the rim from the center. I like the tool!
Next was a couple things on the back. I usually make a small recess on my platters, but Mick used a dovetail sized for his jaws, and he disguised the dovetail as a bead. What appealed to me about this technique is you can completely finish the bottom before turning it around to do the front. I mean you can finish sand, do any details, and even apply a finish if desired. Usually when I make a recess, after completing the front I have to turn it around again and put it on my vacuum chuck to finish the foot. This is when I remove the dovetail, finish sand, etc. Doing it Micks way saves a step. I made a bead sized to fit my 7" Vicmarc jaws, and it's small enough that you can't see that part of the bead is actually a dovetail unless you look real close.
I had a shallow cove to the outside of the dovetail so there wouldn't be any wood that interfered with the jaws. I was spending way too much time sanding the cove and trying to get rid of all the sanding scratches as Walnut is notorious for. That's when it dawned on me that I should texture it to hide any sanding scratches. I whipped out my Henry Taylor Elf decorating tool and gave it a go. Boy do I like the look! It's an extra detail that you aren't expecting when you look at the bottom.
All in all, I think I just found my new "signature" foot for platters. I liked using a dovetail bead so I could completely finish the bottom before doing the front. It was a nice feeling to finish the front and be done! I also like what the Elf adds to the bottom. It really only takes a minute or two more, but I think it adds a nice extra touch.
The finish is several coats of Danish Oil. C & C welcome.
321252 321253 321254 321255 321256