Great job, Sam. Nice close-up detail, and very well explained. I'd suggest leaving just a bit more wood on the chuck end for sizing and parting off, but a very nice presentation. I hope many aspiring turners make these at home.
Amazing stuff Sam, your tool control is excellent, a joy to behold. A beautiful finial, and total ornament. Thanks for showing us, I have learned a lot from the two videos. Cheers Mike
Fine work sir, I was just practicing some of these last week and I broke a few. Now I see how you're working front to back with a push cut and got the detail done early. I'm going to give it a go again this weekend. Good tutorial, thank you.
I have tried to look at how Cindy Drozda work on a finial. I have two of her DVD's and watched her many times in demo's or in trade shows. I was also surprised that she did not use a skew on her finials. But since hers are OVER THE TOP amazing, what she does also works for me. I think the small detail gouges are better for small coves and beads. I am still learning. THE hardest part is---do they look good. The design element must be well planned and in correct proportion. thanks Sam
Love the video, If I had not discovered Cindy D's video's before I would definitely have after your recommendations. Both of you do amazing work. I have been trying to do the Sea Urchin ornaments, and have really discovered what you meant about the size and proportion being spot on. If it is off even a little bit it makes a big difference. Thank you for the information and videos
Love your videos. I notice you don't use a small skew on your finials, is there a reason for that. myself I like to use a small skew to do my long thin cuts. Keep up the good work, we will be watching and learning.
Thank you so much. I need to hear the good and bad. No one is pounding on my door to do a DVD, so youtube must suffice. I appreciate your kind words. When I actually turn a finial "for real" say from blackwood, it takes 2 to 3 hours. I started with about an hour of time to cut down. I think the ornament video was a little choppy. But I don't have a film crew haha. Thanks again. Sam
Pete, wow a very old video (no beard) I am not sure-what brand it was. But I really like the spindle gouge put out by Cindy Droazda . You can find that detail gouge on her website or at Packard tool works. Sam
I just started using holly for christmas ornaments... when I apply the poly, it works well but leaves an amber glow. Is there a way to preserve the natural holly color. Great tutorial.. Thanks
Ed, I really love Holly.But I have learned along the way it is difficult to work with. I find that it gets dirty very quickly. I make sure my hands are very clean when I am near the completion of something made from Holly. I have seen some Turner's who only use a paste wax to finish a finial. For example they will use black shoe polish as a finish. You could also use a white shoe polish or something similar as a finish. Finial's should not receive a lot of handling so this may be an okay finish. Now finally to your question. I agree that there are problems with that nice white holly turning yellow or something like that. My advice is to experiment. You can just sand out a finish on the scrap piece of Holly to 400 or 600 grit then apply a particular finish and see what happens. I often go to lacquer as a finish that Will impart as little color into the wood as possible. I think shellac may turn it more of a color than lacquer will. Well I hope this helps let me know if you find something that really works. Sam
I have the same problems. to long or too short. not enough turnings or to big around. some time I make the finiaf first then design something to go with it. Reverse turning I guess lol.
Here is my list-Blackwood, walnut, cherry, holly, and really many other woods. Pen blanks make a good finial. Any straight grain and dense wood is good. No limits.... Sam
Great job, Sam.
Nice close-up detail, and very well explained. I'd suggest leaving just a bit more wood on the chuck end for sizing and parting off, but a very nice presentation. I hope many aspiring turners make these at home.
Amazing stuff Sam, your tool control is excellent, a joy to behold. A beautiful finial, and total ornament. Thanks for showing us, I have learned a lot from the two videos.
Cheers
Mike
Very elegant. I enjoyed watching this and got some great tips. Thank you.
HI Sam! I had to chuckle as I was watching this and the only thing I can say is " you've come a long way baby!!!"
Take care, Dave
Dave, I also get more than a good laugh when I see these oldies'
I suppose I could start remaking them in HD and with some improved skills.
Sam
Very good explanation Sam, I am looking forward to trying it myself, thanks.
Beautiful Finial Sam very nice detail.
Fine work sir, I was just practicing some of these last week and I broke a few. Now I see how you're working front to back with a push cut and got the detail done early. I'm going to give it a go again this weekend. Good tutorial, thank you.
+couerl Thanks, it does take a little practice.....Sam
I have tried to look at how Cindy Drozda work on a finial. I have two of her DVD's and watched her many times in demo's or in trade shows. I was also surprised that she did not use a skew on her finials. But since hers are OVER THE TOP amazing, what she does also works for me. I think the small detail gouges are better for small coves and beads. I am still learning. THE hardest part is---do they look good. The design element must be well planned and in correct proportion. thanks Sam
Love the video, If I had not discovered Cindy D's video's before I would definitely have after your recommendations. Both of you do amazing work. I have been trying to do the Sea Urchin ornaments, and have really discovered what you meant about the size and proportion being spot on. If it is off even a little bit it makes a big difference. Thank you for the information and videos
+Thomas Verga Thanks much. I have learned everything from Cindy D.
Sam
Great Job!!!!
You rock, love your videos, we think a lot alike
Thanks Sam
Thanks, I usually wear magnifying/reading glasses. That helps. And walking across your shop is really weird..... Thanks Sam
Impressive work!
Daniel
Thanks for watching.
Sam
Love your videos. I notice you don't use a small skew on your finials, is there a reason for that. myself I like to use a small skew to do my long thin cuts. Keep up the good work, we will be watching and learning.
Thank you so much. I need to hear the good and bad. No one is pounding on my door to do a DVD, so youtube must suffice. I appreciate your kind words. When I actually turn a finial "for real" say from blackwood, it takes 2 to 3 hours. I started with about an hour of time to cut down. I think the ornament video was a little choppy. But I don't have a film crew haha. Thanks again. Sam
Thanks
merci beaucoup pour explication parfaite.
Hey Sam- Is that a low profile spindle gouge? Also, what brand? Thx
Pete, wow a very old video (no beard) I am not sure-what brand it was. But I really like the spindle gouge put out by Cindy Droazda . You can find that detail gouge on her website or at Packard tool works.
Sam
merci
I just started using holly for christmas ornaments... when I apply the poly, it works well but leaves an amber glow. Is there a way to preserve the natural holly color. Great tutorial..
Thanks
Ed,
I really love Holly.But I have learned along the way it is difficult to work with. I find that it gets dirty very quickly. I make sure my hands are very clean when I am near the completion of something made from Holly. I have seen some Turner's who only use a paste wax to finish a finial. For example they will use black shoe polish as a finish. You could also use a white shoe polish or something similar as a finish. Finial's should not receive a lot of handling so this may be an okay finish. Now finally to your question. I agree that there are problems with that nice white holly turning yellow or something like that. My advice is to experiment. You can just sand out a finish on the scrap piece of Holly to 400 or 600 grit then apply a particular finish and see what happens. I often go to lacquer as a finish that Will impart as little color into the wood as possible. I think shellac may turn it more of a color than lacquer will. Well I hope this helps let me know if you find something that really works. Sam
Thanks Sam. Tried your idea of past wax and used Hut High Gloss wax that I've used on a few pens...worked great, and did not darken the wood.
I have the same problems. to long or too short. not enough turnings or to big around. some time I make the finiaf first then design something to go with it. Reverse turning I guess lol.
You are 100% crrect on more wood for parting off. I am just trying to save 1/8" of wood. Just too cheap. Thanks sam
Perfect, just what I needed to see. I would like to speak with you. How do I contact you?
WOW!!!!
Hi Sam, what wood species do you recommend for finials?
Here is my list-Blackwood, walnut, cherry, holly, and really many other woods. Pen blanks make a good finial. Any straight grain and dense wood is good. No limits.... Sam
Thanks Sam, I've learned a lot from your videos and continue to enjoy and appreciate them.
Thanks
Thanks