I'm blogging...

Just not here.

I have been blogging though. I have been trying to get my day-to-day photos uploaded regularly. If you are interested, you can check it out here: http://mymountaintrail.blogspot.com. Hope to see you there.

If you are wondering about my brush-making, I have not abandoned the craft. I have just been so busy with life and work, that I haven't had much time in the shop. And the time I have spent there has been devoted to meeting orders from earlier this year. I finally got some time working the lathe to make some candlestick holders for our upcoming wedding.

Keeping things in perspective here, that is clearly the right choice at the moment. I have the materials to make HUNDREDS of brushes... I will be back one of these days. :-)

Long time no blog...

I've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger -- or something like that. I appreciate the requests/comments, but haven't had time to respond.

As for wood stabilizers, I do use a stabilizer occasionally, but usually just try to get dry wood to start with. The stabilizer I use, resolute, seems allot like deck sealer to me, but what do I know? I've been using it on my spalted maple brushes, but that's about it. The resinol90c probably works better at adding some backbone to softer woods, but my research in to it indicated that it was not available in smaller quantities that I would find useful, and doesn't have a long enough shelf life once it is opened to make large quantities worthwhile. And, it's complicated stuff for the time I can put into it right now. I'll add the link to resolute in a bit.

CA is a much more complicated question, but I will answer it when I get a chance. The bottom line is, it has a mind of its own, and responds differently depending on the wood, temperature, humidity, moon phase, etc.

Gotta jump on a plane... I'll get back with more later. Sorry.

These badgers are not from around here!

The picture says it all. Yet it also raises a bunch of questions.

First of all, I've been busy. You don't create a beauty like the one in the back of my truck without some effort. This project has been a bit of an undercover operation for the last few months. One of the local high-tech-struck-it-rich wet shavers around here wanted a brush like no other. Guys like that go big, and I wasn't going to let him down. This beautiful cocobolo silvertip badger brush is the result.

So that's the answer, what about the questions you ask?

Well, first of all, that looks like quite a load for a '69 Ford pickup. Are you sure it can handle it? It turns out my good ol' F100 comes with factory installed heavy duty springs in back, so the weight was manageable. I just had to tie the load down to be sure it didn't sway too much on the winding trip down the mountain.

Second, where do you get badgers for a brush like that? Most people don't realize that the planet Chiena has supersized resort badgers available for your average 1000 lb., medium firm, 90cm silvertip badger brush. The brush-commissioner ordered the brush for me on his interplanet network and the Space Shuttle (I'm not kidding) picked it up last time they were at the space station --that's why they had such a long mission last trip.

What about the cocobolo tree? They don't come that large! Oh, come on, you know those high tech wizards get whatever they want. He said "make it happen", and the forest complied. Simple.

And finally, how did you get it loaded and unloaded in that very cool truck? I've been spending lots of time with my personal trainer. Fortunately, she is my fiance, so I could afford it. Note though, I am obligated to fix dinner on command until 2020. Works for me. I'd have done that for her anyway!!!

So don't get too jealous of the haves here. I have no idea how to lather this thing up. I'm thinking scuba gear may be required to survive the process. Having that kind of money is more trouble than I would know how to handle. My 28mm works just fine for me!

I hope your April has started as well as mine! ;-)

More very impressive pics tomorrow...

The gag order has been lifted!

Okay, I must apologize. Being new to the blogging community, I didn't know that my settings restricted comments. That is just uncalled for! Anyway, now anyone can comment. And as long as you meet my neanderthal standards, I'll leave it up! :-)

I've been searching around for burls today. One that I like very much is camphor burl. The photo says it all. Gilmer Wood Company says the wood is stable and easy to work. I think I need to find out, don't you?

One concern is the moisture content of the wood. They list it as green to partially air dried. That adds a level of complication...

Oh yeah, and you have to buy $100, minimum, at a time. I'm thinking they do this Internet thing reluctantly, how about you?

I turned some red palm and b&w ebony today. The red palm splintered and the b&wE streaked with sanding. At least they were predictable. I worked around those problems, and now I have a couple of cute little shaving brush handles for 22mm knots. When I finish the CA wars, I'll post a picture.

CA wars? You say? Well, we all know that CA has a mind of its own. It responds differently to every wood I think. With a little patience though, it makes a great finish.

Speaking of CA, if you are looking for a good deal, this is one place to look. The guy running this outfit is named Gordon. If you decide to buy here, get used to Gordon spamming you. He can't help it. I've asked him to take me off his list four times. My request sticks for a couple of months, then he spams me again.

Hey, why should he listen to me? I'm the customer after all! Anyway, if you can live with a potential "new best friend for life", check it out. I'm already infected so I guess I'll buy again. Do you think I should?

Night, night...

Happy Easter!

This will be short tonight, but I wanted to share some brush pics. First, a customer designed sweetheart on the left and a brush based on one of my designs on the right. I like them both, but isn't it interesting how the one on the left makes you focus on the profile and the one on the right makes you focus on the grain? One of the joys of woodworking is the wood characteristics. The ability to work the wood is one, and the grain is another. It's a tough choice, but with burl, I have to go with the grain.

Speaking of burl, I have the chunk on the right on it's way. It's very turbulent looking don't you think? I'm looking forward to working with it.

Buying wood via the Internet is not an easy thing to do. As I've said, I've been treated right by the Exotic Wood Group. Their wood is reasonably dry, and it has met my needs. That's where I bought this hunk of Brownian Motion. I can't wait to cut into that baby!

Buying on ebay has been a bit more hit-or-miss. I have picked up some beautiful pieces, but some have been very green.

Actually, I am a big fan of green wood. It turns beautifully. The problem is that it has a mind of its own after you are done. So, to make it work, you have to turn it, then let it rest and dry, and then finish it. Or, go for the rustic "I turned it, then it shaped itself" look. Personally, I like both outcomes, but some don't. You better know your customer before you choose your path!

Good night my friends. May all your (and my) tools be sharp in the morning!

A turn for the better!

Now that's a nice chunk of wood! I made this shaving brush (the photo shows several different angles) this week from thuya burl. The wood is well-cured, so I am hoping that the turnings don't change in shape too much. The wood is not soft, but definitely not hard either. It loads up sandpaper quickly, so it pays to cut the shape you want with your turning tools.

It sure is beautiful isn't it? I almost didn't send it to the customer -- but then I would just have to make another one. If I really need one for myself, I'll just have to make it!

Let the Blogging Begin!

Wow! I'm really happy to be here. If you are reading this, you are reading my stream of conscience at this moment. This blog will be about handcrafted woodworking. As a furniture maker (mostly windsor chairmaker), wood turner, and wood enthusiest, my vision is to create an intersting place to learn about the craft. I don't have all the answers, or all the ideas, but I have some. And I'm looking for the rest! So, let's get started.

Today I worked with thuya burl for the first time. I bought the blank at the Exotic Wood Group, which has treated me well in the past. The nice thing about their website is that they provide pictures of many of the actual wood blanks they have available. That way you at least have some idea what you are getting.

The chunk of burl I received turned out to be pretty sound. It has a few checks, but I think I will be able to work around many of them. It has very nicely figured grain, which is the point right?! I cut a slab off of the chunk (technical, I know) and turned a shave-brush handle out of it for a customer. I have to say, it turned out beautifully!

Anyway, enough bragging. Thuya burl works very nicely. It cuts smoothly for a burl, and finishes well. When I was sanding the brush handle, the sandpaper did load up quickly. That is okay with me, since all I really care about is that I get the finish I want. An extra 20 cents worth of sandpaper is worth it. This stock has some voids, but so far they are easily filled with the finish and a bit of sawdust.

I am using CA for the finish. I will complete the process tomorrow and polish it up. When I get done, I wll post a picture for all to see.

So, this is just the beginning. Stay with me and lets see how things develop!