Toothpick Holder

[Bernie Weishapl]

Here is a toothpick holder that I made with the plans from the magazine Wood. It is out of mahogany. It stands 3 7/8" tall and with the finial 5 3/4". The finial is stained with minwax ebony stain and finish with Antique Oil. The LOML loves it and I have orders for 9 more. So the lathe stand better get dry quick.

[Arlan Ten Kley]

Very nicely done, Bernie. Nice contrast with the finial. I've been looking at them thinking I should try one too.

[Bill Embrey]

That is really nice Bernie, I like the bigger finial... I purchased that issue of Wood because of the toothpick holder... been slicing and sealing wood and haven't got around to it yet... you gave me a nudge... I'll try to get one done this week.

[David Walser]

Bernie,

For those of us planning on following in your footsteps, what, if anything, did you learn from making your 1st of 10 (that's not well covered in the Wood article)? I watched the Wood 3-part video of making the toothpick holder and thought: Why doesn't he reverse chuck the toothpick holder rather than merely parting it off and sanding the bottom flat?

I like your finial more than the one in Wood. From the video, it looked like the smaller finial would be hard to grab for someone with large hands.

[Danny Heisner]

I'm just curious as to how much you can get out of one of those?

[Alex Elias]

Nice and creative. I like the form and wood combo. Congrats

[Karin Voorhis]

I really like this! Very nice form and design.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Nice work Bernie! I do like your finial better than the one in the magazine! Congrats on getting the orders! Are you planning on using the same wood combination?

[Jim Becker]

Great choice on the mahogany, Bernie. That looks wonderful!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Thanks for the kind words. These are actually a lot of fun to turn. I think on the next one I will try doing the finial just a little shorter and out of either a contrasting wood or of the same wood and see what it looks like.

David I made the finial bigger because the LOML has arthritis in her hands so bigger is better. She said it could be 1/2" shorter and would be ok. What I did is when I parted it off I did the same thing as I do for lidded boxes reversing them to finish the bottom. I turned the wood in the chuck down for a tight fit. I reversed the toothpick holder and jammed it on then finished the bottom. Other than that I just read the magazine, went out and turned it. The lid and inside has to fit loosely. Not sloppy but loose.

Danny I am not sure what I am going to charge at this time. I get $28.50 for salt and peppermills and was going to add this to the set. I think I will try to get $42.50 for the set or $14.50 for it alone. We are in a farming community and it is pretty depressed here so can't charge what a lot of people do. I had salt and peppermills for $39.50 that sat in the craft store for months. I lowered my price to $28.50 and sold them all. My son and DIL in Richmond sell a few things for me and can get twice to three times what I can get here.

[Dennis Peacock]

Dang Bernie!!!!! Very lovely piece and I need to make one of those. Looks fairly easy enough for an old timer like me to try. :)

[Chris DiCiaccio]

You did a great job on that pick holder. Keep posting them as you make more.

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

I gonna steal it, too. Should pay booth rent very well. If it's not too personal, what price range are you using? ( I don't like to undercut others pricing)

VERY nice job, Bernie.

Bruce

[Ben Gastfriend]

Really nice job! I love the finial shape and the contrast. And, that is a neat addition to any kitchen. How about a bigger one for straws...

[Tom Sherman]

Very nice job Bernie, went looking for the magazine my local Books a Million does not have it yet. I also would like to make some of these. You gonna use the commercial grade of toothpicks or you gonna turn some.

[Ron Drew]

I love it Bernie. Mahogany is classy wood, and the finial looks great. Nice going. Ron

[Greg Just]

Great job Bernie - I was reading the magazine this morning and thought I need to try one of these this weekend.

[Jim Podsedly]

Bernie - Very nice.

Anybody else having trouble watching the videos of this project?

Keeps saying the video is unavailable and try back later.....

Thanks,
Jim

[Bill Embrey]

Jim, I just tried it and it's working fine (for me)... I watched it this morning before I turned one (video has a couple minor differences from the article in the magazine).

[Chuck Jones]

Bernie,

what, if anything, did you learn from making your 1st of 10 (that's not well covered in the Wood article)?

I can tell you what I learned... make darn sure your wood is dry. I turned two out of dogwood that I thought was dry. They shrunk just enough that we almost couldn't get the cup out. There isn't much space between the cup and the cylinder wall.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Thanks again everyone. Yep I used Kiln dried stock. You sure don't want it moving or it won't come apart.

[Steve Campbell]

Great looking holder there Bernie. I think I will try my hand at one as soon as I get back from the mail box. Thanks for showing us.

Steve