Turning Air

[Derek]

Not posted for a While.

I have just completed this turned box it measures 7" long X 3 1/4" wide and stands 7 3/4" tall. The main body is turned from Ash, the box is Sapele and the finial is holly stained black.

C & C most welcome

[fuzzyturns]

I absolutely adore the main body, I like the box, and I do think you could have done better on your finial. The bottom quarter of the finial is OK, and the very top is a question of personal taste. However, the taper is, in my opinion, not good. It's way too thick.
This is a marvellous design. Splendid. The execution of the main body is close to perfection (well, in my opinion). And the box itself works. The finial turns a brilliant piece of wood turning into a very mediocre one. Please, do not get disheartened over these harsh words. I am trying to say to you: you made such a beautiful thing, why did you not finish it with a beautiful finial? Clearly you have the skill to do it.

But let's hear what others have to say.

[Les Symonds]

I'll agree, pretty much, with everything that Derek has just said. It's a great concept and good to see an original design. I'm assuming that for the colar on the body of the sapele box to sit snugly onto the top of the ash, there must have been a flat area at least as wide as the sapele.....in which case you've done a good job of blending it into the curve. As for that finial....the taper starts really well and has a good curve from the widest point, but then straightens up and remains quite thick, right up to the uppermost detail. It just looks a bit heavy, and is one of those details that fellow woodturners will notice, but the public probably wont.

Les

[edbanger]

Hi Derek

I'm with Fuzzy and Les it's a great looking piece and very well turned but I think that it could be a stunning looking piece with a slender finial

Ed

[Graham]

Finials are such a personal thing and if the object is to be used then they need a bit of oomph to them. The overall shape of the piece is something I have never seen before, so original, so organic. I love it. The bottom of the bowl adds a certain something that shows you have considered all aspects of the shape ( as Mr Clews would say ).
Best shape I have seen for a long while. Well done.

[Derek]

Thank you for your honest opinions. The finial is something I keep looking at as said they can be so hard to get right I did think of a snake shape in as much a wavy finial if that makes sense. I will play with this a little as the finial is not yet glued in place run out of glue (how I managed that I do not know I can't even blame old age not 60 yet ).
The form itself came from various forms that I had seen as I either browse the net or what I may see around me I tend to see shapes more so now I am turning

[Derek]

I have managed to get around to making another Finial and have put this one side by side with the original.

So your thoughts on this one would be most appreciated.

[Bryan Milham]

An interesting concept, making more from less.

The illusion given by the missing sections makes it look like the piece is / was much larger than it was.

Very clever.

And the second finial sits better on the piece.

[Derek]

An interesting concept, making more from less.

The illusion given by the missing sections makes it look like the piece is / was much larger than it was.

Very clever.

And the second finial sits better on the piece.

Thank you for that you are the second person to say that it looks larger than what it is. I made the second finial a little taller and also thinned it a little as well. The more I look at it I tend to agree it does go better than the first one.