Back in business!

[Les Symonds]

Since the accident, my GP has barred me from doing anything that involves jolting, jarring or vibration....so turning has been on the back-burner for a couple of months, during which time, the biggest thing that I made were a few miniature, decorative birdhouses and some pendants. Things are slowly improving and I can start to aim a little higher, but dare not tackle anything deep, or particularly irregular in shape (so no big, deep bowls or natural edges). However, I had a really fine slab of yew with bags of interesting feature, put aside for a rainy day, and yesterday was that day. I've made a shallow dish and an 18"(43cm) platter, using a few gouge-techniques that Mark Sanger showed me a couple of weeks ago. Really pleased with the result; which has been sealed with 2 coats of cellulose thinned to 50/50, then 2 coats beeswax/carnauba wax applied on the lathe, followed by 2 more coats of wax applied with the buffing wheel.





Comments and criticisms always welcome....Les

[woodndesign]

Les, glad to see you're able to start larger in road with your turning again, so nice to see your impeccable work, did I say I like the piece.

Well done and keep taking it easy.

Cheers  Dewi

[John D Smith]

   Hello Les,

               I am glad you are making a recovery take it easy don't rush it.I love the platter you have turned the grain and everything about it

        is great I think Yew is my favourite.
                                                          Regards John















 

[Bryan Milham]

What a beautiful slice of yew, the pippy areas in the centre and 3 around the outside bring it into balance.

I can see a happy customer in the offing.

[Les Symonds]

Thanks guys....your remarks just helped to double its price...

Les

[edbanger]

Hi Les Glad to see your back with us, this is a stunning looking piece of Yew turned to your normal high standards.

Happy turning

Ed

[Graham]

Good to see you on the road to recovery Les.
Gorgeous platter.

[georg]

     

Good to see you back posting again  Les  and with such a lovely piece of pippy Yew.....Turned to  show  all
the elements of the wood and well finished
Di and Tony

[Les Symonds]

Thanks everyone...it was, indeed, fortunate that the pippy areas in the blank were quite balanced, but this wasn't without its problems. The board was 8ft x 18ins x 2ins and I had to cut it in two pieces to get it home. This platter came from the smaller piece, which could easily have given me 2 platters, but the grain wouldn't have been so balanced.....so I'll be using the rest for smaller bowls and dishes. Hopefully there'll be a couple of platters in the other (bigger) piece.

Les

[Haggy]

When I think of platters I think of your dragon piece!  This is lovely too, beautifully finished as seems to be the norm. with yourself gwyntog.
 Are you able to get a decent finish straight from the gouge on your platter?  This is something  that eludes me at present, but I will keep trying!  Please don't tell me you do!!!
     Regards.  Haggy

[Les Symonds]

Are you able to get a decent finish straight from the gouge on your platter?  This is something  that eludes me at present, but I will keep trying!  Please don't tell me you do!!!
     Regards.  Haggy

Fear not, Haggy.....I have only just learnt to handle the bowl gouge sufficiently well to get a finish off it and made my first 'gouge-only' bowl just a few days ago. However, I will admit to having shear-scraped the face of the platter.

Les