I sat out last year's beer swap so Kenny and the rest of the crew weren't about to let me get a pass this year. Woodmaster1 drew the short straw as my recipient.
I made sure to thoroughly test all of the local IA beers and curated a selection that I liked most. I also included a bottle BBQ sauce from Smokin' Butts, a top quality BBQ operation here in the Quad Cities. In fact they are catering my daughter's wedding in October.
I'm learning how to use the lathe my dad made and it's slow going. So I decided what better way to motivate myself than to make handles for various kitchen accessories?
The pizza cutter ( or medieval torture device, depnding how you use it) has black and white ebony handle. I scored 4 blanks on a great deal from Rockler so I had to try turning some.
I used the scrap to turn a wine bottle stopper:
For the pie server (or trowel), I used a piece of Goncalo Alves (I think):
I also turned a ZZ Top Mexican Blackbird bottle opener out of Katalox. Let's see how many of you get the reference. I forgot to get a picture of it. I learned a lot along the way. Probably the biggest challenge is keeping the form true to what you envision it to look like. I did manage to score some nice Carter and Sons lathe tools along the way. Dave Kelley's carbide tools were also a great way to start the learning process. Now the next thing I need to learn is how to sharpen the lathe tools.
So a few handles are OK, but I can do better than that in the creativity department. My daughter asked me for a knife block for her wedding. Of course she had a picture of it and doesn't want me to get creative. So I decided to get creative and make one for the swap.
The block is walnut and white oak from a farm not too far from here. Rather than make all the slots the same size, I tapered the block so the slots get smaller (for smaller blades).
I veneered the block with white oak veneer rather than leaving the walnut and oak strips exposed. I wanted to wrap the block with an ebonized walnut band with walnut trim and some brass rivets to give it a steamer trunk look.
I finished it with Arm-R-Seal. This was my first time using veneer. Things went mostly to plan but there are a few thin spots from sanding.
All-in-all, this was a challenging swap. I learned some new skills on the lathe and I also spent some quality time working out angles and applying veneer.
thats what it's all about earl, challenging yourself and having fun doing it bud. and we dont care if you create a mind blowing creation or something that just makes your guy smile and something he can use ! and you did that ! ill see you next year !
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
Looking good Earl. looks like turning is working out. Those handles look as nice as what I usually see. Like the knife block? Or is it blocks? Pics had me guessing?
I think this is your Mexican Bottle opener guess.
Veneer is sometimes a PIA if the thin veneer Gods find you. The best thing I can suggest is make your own if you do much of it, and saw them as thick as they can apply, then you can even use a power sander if ya want, otherwise learn scarper cards, and make sure they are sharp, sanding is the kiss of the Devil on the usual store bought thins. But learning new to you stuff is always a win. Nice builds.
George - partial credit. Katalox is "Mexican Ebony" so Mexican black wood... black bird... and I'm a big fan of that Little Ol Band from Texas. It is a single block
