Rick Smith
03-17-2007, 1:08 PM
I mentioned earlier that I was going to embark on a chess set, using Banksia for one set of pieces. I cornered one of them in the Knot Whole (my shop), and lathe-ized it. The intent was to test a size, big enough to display the banksia, but not be too big.
I think I did fine getting a reasonable shape to consider (not the final one). BUT - then I decided to shine it a little with some friction polish so I could compare it to different wood types to see how they would match, (semi-finished).
In an inane act of abject stupidity, I a) used a shop rag to apply the polish, which then proceeded to catch on one of the many sharp points and apply several nice welts on my arm before I got the lathe turned off, then b) decided that finish didn't look right, so decided to use bees wax, which I applied rather liberally, then buffed with paper towel.
Needless to say, I then spent the NEXT 2 hours, with my $4 drug store reading glasses and a needle, picking ALL the fuzz from the shop rag, fibers from the paper towel, AND unmelted wax from EACH AND EVERY CREVICE ON THE WHOLE PIECE! (NOTE ** Greatly expanded new-found respect for you NE turners!).
Anyway, - some help, please. I don't play chess much, but think this is a bit big. 4 3/4" tall x 2 1/8" at the base. I think it should be turned down to fit a 2" square on the board (which isn't made yet). Also, I think maybe the center curve should be much longer and get rid of the large (what will be beads on the finished piece) ridges before the ball...
I think I did fine getting a reasonable shape to consider (not the final one). BUT - then I decided to shine it a little with some friction polish so I could compare it to different wood types to see how they would match, (semi-finished).
In an inane act of abject stupidity, I a) used a shop rag to apply the polish, which then proceeded to catch on one of the many sharp points and apply several nice welts on my arm before I got the lathe turned off, then b) decided that finish didn't look right, so decided to use bees wax, which I applied rather liberally, then buffed with paper towel.
Needless to say, I then spent the NEXT 2 hours, with my $4 drug store reading glasses and a needle, picking ALL the fuzz from the shop rag, fibers from the paper towel, AND unmelted wax from EACH AND EVERY CREVICE ON THE WHOLE PIECE! (NOTE ** Greatly expanded new-found respect for you NE turners!).
Anyway, - some help, please. I don't play chess much, but think this is a bit big. 4 3/4" tall x 2 1/8" at the base. I think it should be turned down to fit a 2" square on the board (which isn't made yet). Also, I think maybe the center curve should be much longer and get rid of the large (what will be beads on the finished piece) ridges before the ball...