My First Turquoise Hollow Form

[Jeff Paxton]

After reading all the posts about turquoise, I wanted to give it a try. This is made of cherry wood, approximately 9 1/2" by 3 1/2". I used 7 coats of wipe on poly to finish. I basically used the article by Stephen Hatcher http://www.turningwood.com/HOW_TOO/Basic%20Stone%20Inlay%20(Ver%201.0).PDF as my guide.

Two mistakes I know I made, (probably many others):
1. I got the level of stone too high above the wood when I filled the inlay notch. I know the idea is to have it a little high and sand it down, but I got it too high and it was quite difficult to get it down to the level of the wood. I got a new appreciation for the phrase, "hard as a rock." I used 60 and 80 grit, but it was still VERY VERY difficult. I had read not to use a gouge on a previous post so I did not do that, but I did try a old parting tool, but it became dull in about 5 seconds. Next time I will be much more careful about the level of the stone.

2. The second mistake was just poor planning. I should have taken a picture of the bottom of the form because the grain of the wood was beautiful and had much character. By simply turning it around, I could have caputured that along with the stone.

All in all, I was pleased with this first attempt, and so was my wife! I welcome any comments, criticism, and any keen insight as to a simplier way to sand down the stone.

Thanks for looking,

Jeff

[Gary Max]

The fact that it's a lot of work is what makes this cool--if it was simple everyone would do it.

[Pete Jordan]

Awesome Jeff!

Did you use CA or epoxy to mix with the turquoise?

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a beauty Jeff. The turquoise really sets it off. Well done. Like Pete said epoxy or CA?

[Steve Mawson]

I would be pretty proud of that one. Looks great.

[Bill Wyko]

Jeff you did a great job. Maby a file would work on the stone. What ever you did, it turned out fantastic. Very nice.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Very nice work Jeff! Looks really smooth, great color contrast between the cherry and stone and that will only get better with time! Will have to give inlay a try one of these days. Thanks for posting!

[Bob Hallowell]

Very Nice. I have found that carbide cuts it fine.

I helped my wife finish up a turquoise rimmed bowl tonight for her mother's birthday I will be posting in a few days.

Bob

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Your labor paid off Jeff! Nicely done sir!

[Dewey Torres]

Jeff you did a great job. Maby a file would work on the stone. What ever you did, it turned out fantastic. Very nice.

Hey Bill,
Didn't you make a plug for INLACE here once?
Is it easier to cut than natural stone?

Dewey

[Don Eddard]

That's a very pretty HF, Jeff.

[robert hainstock]

You won't remember the Long labor a year from now. That Is a great looking piece. :D
Bob

[Jeff Paxton]

I used thin CA to set the stone, then filled in larger voids with thick CA to finish.

Bob, pardon my ignorance, but when you say "carbide cuts it fine" what are you talking about, sandpaper or some tool blade?

Jeff

[Phillip Bogle]

Jeff that is a beautiful piece. I hope to make something that nice someday. I am just beginning so I know very little. I am wondering -- in ignorance -- would a diamond grindstone dressing tool (not the wheeled kind) the kind that is shaped like the letter "T" possibly grind down through the stone? I did some lapidary things when I was much younger; we were using diamond tipped circular saws to cut slabs of stone and agate. A lapidary shop may have some sort of free form grinding tool.

Just an idea.
Phillip

[Jeff Paxton]

Phillip,

That is a good idea about the dressing wheel. It might very well knock down the bigger stones to where the rest could be finished up with sandpaper. I don't think it would hurt the dressing wheel like it would a gouge, so I will definitely give it a try next time. Anyone else out there tried a dressing wheel to smooth out stone inlay?

Jeff