More Holm Oak

[RayintheUK]

I'm quite pleased with this bowl, although it was as hard as iron to turn! It's 200mm (8") diameter, by 90mm (3.5") tall. Finished with cellulose sanding sealer, Danish Oil, then a couple of coats of wax.





Thanks for looking!

Ray.

[Whaler]

Beautiful Ray. That grain pattern is outstanding.

[sacherjj]

That is beautiful striking grain in the bowl. Very nice. This just make me wish my chuck would hurry up and get here...

[Ken Weaver]

That is great work Ray! Never heard of Holm Oak before, is it common over there?

[mater]

That is beautiful work Ray. I love the grain in it.

[Crash2510]

very very nice

[RayintheUK]

Never heard of Holm Oak before, is it common over there?

It's not exactly common, Ken, but - I wouldn't say it was rare either. I know that sounds like a contradiction, but what I mean is that it's available if (and only if) you know where to look.

It's actually Quercus ilex - sometimes called "Holly Oak" or "Evergreen Oak" and tends to be very heavy, due to the density of the wood. Consequently, it can be a bit difficult to turn and dulls an edge very quickly indeed. The upside is that it's also known for its wild grain patterns and rays.

On my "to do" list is a bowl from a bowl - I've been given one of a set of bowling woods to turn a lidded bowl from. That's lignum vitae, so I guess that Holm Oak will seem quite soft compared to that!

Ray.

[wreckwriter]

That's lignum vitae, so I guess that Holm Oak will seem quite soft compared to that!

Ray.

Just as an aside, lignum vitae trees are protected by law here in Florida, native hardwood, very few left. Beautiful trees, beautiful wood. "Ironwood" it means I believe.

[gerti]

Nice bowl and great looking finish! How long does the Danish Oil take to cure?

[RayintheUK]

Nice bowl and great looking finish! How long does the Danish Oil take to cure?

It depends on the porosity of the wood, really. As the Holm Oak is very dense, it doesn't soak in like it would on Cedar or Sycamore. I flood it on, wait ten minutes, wipe off the excess then buff it with the lathe running. A second coat is then left for five minutes and the process repeated. After another interval (lunch, perhaps ), the wax is applied.

Thanks for the comments, guys!

Ray.

[gerti]

It depends on the porosity of the wood, really. As the Holm Oak is very dense, it doesn't soak in like it would on Cedar or Sycamore. I flood it on, wait ten minutes, wipe off the excess then buff it with the lathe running. A second coat is then left for five minutes and the process repeated. After another interval (lunch, perhaps ), the wax is applied.

Oh cool, I didn't know Danish Oil could be used right on the lathe. I thought it would cure slow, so I never tried it... Thanks much for the info, Ray!

Gerd

[kyle.w]

looks good

[DUD]

I love the look, it really sets itself off. Bill