PDA

View Full Version : Mulberry crotch platter


Nathan Hawkes
07-02-2008, 12:44 AM
This is from a mulberry tree that I cut for a friend last summer. It was sanded to 600 grit, then finished with a mix of linseed oil & varnish, followed by about 10 coats of paste wax. The cracks are filled with med. & thick CA glue, but the color is natural. The tree was full of dark "ring shake" like cracks, which add a lot of character (I think, anyway) to the wood. I turned it green, and the surface has warped considerably to a very rippled , bumpy surface, yet very smooth, when you rub it.


http://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=91728&stc=1&d=1214973704




http://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=91729&stc=1&d=1214973704




http://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=91730&stc=1&d=1214973744




http://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=91731&stc=1&d=1214973744
Steve Schlumpf
07-02-2008, 9:03 AM
Very nice platter Nathan! Beautiful wood - great feathers! Lots of charactor and rich color makes for a great center piece!

Could you throw a couple of dimensions at us - hard to judge by the photos. Thanks.
Nathan Hawkes
07-02-2008, 9:08 AM
Thanks, Steve. It is about 11" wide, and 1.5" tall. I forgot to add the dimensions.:rolleyes:
Joseph Peacock
07-03-2008, 11:26 AM
Very nice grain and work manship.;)
Bernie Weishapl
07-03-2008, 12:01 PM
Great looking platter Nathan. Wood really does have a lot of character to it. Was wondering why 10 coats of paste wax? Just curious as I have never put more than one or two on when I do use it.
Jim Becker
07-03-2008, 4:20 PM
A very lovely piece that exudes a lot of "life". Wonderful.
Nathan Hawkes
07-04-2008, 5:10 AM
Great looking platter Nathan. Wood really does have a lot of character to it. Was wondering why 10 coats of paste wax? Just curious as I have never put more than one or two on when I do use it.


Mulberry is a pretty open-grained wood, and it took that many coats to fill it to my liking. It felt like I was giving plenty of time for the wax to cure before buffing it off, but after the first several coats, almost none stayed in the pores, so I just kept coating it. The last several coats were done in rapid succession, right before a turning club meeting; I wanted it looking really smooth! :cool: