Gavel

[Brian Brown]

My interest in turning runs more toward bowls and vases, but somehow I seem to do more spindle work. Haven't figured that one out yet. Here is a gavel I made as a thank you gift for the outgoing president of a professional association I belong to. I couldn't find a plan or pattern I liked, so I just made one up. Does the handle seem a little long for the head? Does any one know of a standard set of proportions for a gavel??

Thanks,

Brian

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Well done Brian! What did you use for a finish?

I don't think the handle looks too long.

[Brian Brown]

The finish is 1 coat of tung oil (I like the amber color change), with about 5 coats of spray on polyurethane.

Brian

[Curt Fuller]

I'd say that's as nice of a gavel as I've seen. The handle looks perfect to me.

[Neal Addy]

Great looking gavel. Looks good and sturdy.

Just curious, what method did you use to attach the handle? Threaded, glued, wedged, other?

[Bernie Weishapl]

Very well done Brian. That is one of the best I have seen. Nice job.

[David Walser]

Brian,

I think that's a very fine gavel. The recipient should be proud to use and display it.

As for the proportions, the length seems right to me. If anything, the handle might have been improved by making it a little thinner towards the head of the gavel, allowing for more "heft" at the end where the user would grasp it. Right now it's a little too straight. It would be sexier with more of a curve, if that makes any sense. That's a quibble and just something to consider for your next one. This one is grade A+ as it is.

[Von Bickley]

Brian,

Looks great from here....:)

[Jim Becker]

Handle looks about right to me, Brian! Nice work!

[Roger Bell]

Did you "thread" the handle into a drilled and tapped head, or did you simply drill and glue?

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Nice Job Brian! This is fit for a Senator or a Judge.:)

[Chris Barton]

It looks fine to me but, as a general rule of thumb the ratio of 3:1 is considered pleasing to the eye.

[John Chandler]

I think that is a very nice looking gavel.

[Jonathon Spafford]

I think it's beautiful! The shape/size to me looks perfect. Your friend will be very pleased!

[Keith Burns]

Couldn't be any better !! Nice job:) :)

[George Tokarev]

Proportion looks good to me. Did you hollow out under the knocker to give it a bit more "voice?" Something I've done since about gavel three. I also usually make the base square, so that a standard engraved plaque commemorating the purpose can be made cheaply at a trophy shop.

[Brian Brown]

The gavel head was drilled to 1/2" and the handle tenon glued in. I don't have the budget, or skill level to turn threads. The sounding board was hollowed slightly on the bottom to make it slide less, and give a deeper sound. Thanks for the coments.

Brian