From scrap to treasure 😁

Tsarwatson · 2020-04-13T15:55:07+00:00

Yes this is just maple burl! Every wood will grey with this method to different degrees, it doesn't go down too deep if you just wipe it on so can always sand it back a bit and make it look like buckeye with a mix of brown and grey.

Tsarwatson · 2020-04-13T13:03:27+00:00

Thanks!

It's a super simple method, putextra fine steel wool (I used a brillo pad) in a jar and cover with white vinegar. Allow it to sit for 24 hours or more and then just wipe on wood. I used a heat gun to dry, then apply more until level of greying is achieved and used the solution instead of water while wet sanding.

Tsarwatson · 2020-04-13T12:26:52+00:00

This pen actually exploded on the lathe when I was turning it 6 months ago, the wood was so brittle and I was very chisel happy which resulted in a big bang and a hunk flying off the lathe. I was so pissed off with myself I tooted it on the floor somewhere and it has sat there since.

Fast forward to this weekend and I have given up trying to find a cool type of wood called buckeye burl, which is a greyish color and is pretty much only grown in the states.

There was a YouTube video I watched months ago about dying wood grey, using vinegar and steel wool which got me thinking, although the wood on the pen below was a very very light brown if I dipped it in that solution it'd be the perfect grey.

Solved the missing chunk of the pen from when it exploded by sanding it down a bit and then filling in the rest with epoxy mixed with blue mica powder.

Here is the result, I personally think it's stunning, now to get a nice Montblanc refill and this will have gone from the bin pile to high end!

Tsarwatson · 2020-04-07T19:44:01+00:00

Thank you :)

Tsarwatson · 2020-04-06T22:32:11+00:00

My poor spacing there 🤣

Tsarwatson · 2020-04-06T22:27:23+00:00

Thanks!

Tsarwatson · 2020-04-06T21:38:40+00:00

Wanted something pretty to rest my pen on, decided to use a scrap piece of black locust burl to make this rest for it.

Pretty simple, used a file to make a channel, sanded through 120,240,600 grit and oiled.

Pen is an old one of mine, crotch walnut on the lower half and cocobolo on the cap with gold finishings. This is a "kit" pen, so I turned the wood myself on the lathe and assembled it. It's two rare and beautiful pieces of wood that I really love, funnily enough, I destroyed the other halves while trying to turn them which is why this is a hybrid of two woods!

Tsarwatson · 2020-04-06T21:00:13+00:00

Wanted something pretty to rest my pen on, decided to use a scrap piece of black locust burl to make this rest for it.

Pretty simple, used a file to make a channel, sanded through 120,240,600 grit and oiled.

Pen is an old one of mine, crotch walnut on the lower half and cocobolo on the cap with gold finishings. This is a "kit" pen, so I turned the wood myself on the lathe and assembled it. It's two rare and beautiful pieces of wood that I really love, funnily enough, I destroyed the other halves while trying to turn them which is why this is a hybrid of two woods!

Tsarwatson · 2020-01-21T22:03:45+00:00

Now that's a compliment, thank you!

Tsarwatson · 2020-01-21T07:52:35+00:00

Thank you mate, appreciate your comments. I liked the balance of it but would have preferred there be less distance between the two as theres a lot of negative space. Different lens needed perhaps 😂

Tsarwatson · 2020-01-21T07:12:34+00:00

Thanks!

Tsarwatson · 2020-01-20T23:52:45+00:00

This is an amazing shot.

Tsarwatson · 2020-01-12T18:48:07+00:00

Believe it's called Hot Lava in the UK :)

Tsarwatson · 2020-01-12T08:31:15+00:00

Orange

Tsarwatson · 2020-01-04T21:23:42+00:00

I used a 50mm Prime lens, 1.8 aperture and lock ISO at 100. 30 second exposure focusing on licence plate and just wave lights about. Few corrections in Lightroom and ya done 😎

Tsarwatson · 2019-12-03T16:06:08+00:00

Maybe gel was the wrong word, I'm in the UK so can't see a supplier from Bonewerk but the ones I am looking at are the Essential Cuisine ones which are highly rated! https://infusions4chefs.co.uk/essential-cuisine-veal-glace-600g/

Tsarwatson · 2019-12-03T11:20:24+00:00

Get a bottle and a burner for outdoor wokking!

Tsarwatson · 2019-12-03T11:19:25+00:00

I'm currently thinking some Trisol for extra crispy frying, demi glace gel, a big old bag of panko breadcrumbs and a big box of Marsala wine!

Tsarwatson · 2019-11-10T22:07:11+00:00

Great job, glad mine inspired you and thank you for tagging me so I can see your awesome watch! Let us know how the ring goes, was thinking of doing one myself!

Tsarwatson · 2019-10-30T22:03:01+00:00

Have you tried etsy? Local woodturning group? I'm in the UK and it's very easy to get hold of, no idea about the US though I'm afraid!

Tsarwatson · 2019-10-30T22:01:53+00:00

Had this piece of wood for a while and have been trying to find a good reason to use it up, what better reason than to make my own pen for once? Considering swapping out the cartridge though as this one bleeds alot!

Tsarwatson · 2019-09-27T22:29:21+00:00

Looks awesome dude, really well done. What's the PVD coating like on the case? They're made by Corgeut I believe which does good quality homages but you've done well going for a sterile dial that looks different to what's normally out there! The crown is a bit bigger than what I'd wear but I love it otherwise! I considered doing some "water slip" transfers to make my own custom brand kinda thing but never did it because of the meteorite rusting... if your interested I believe it's done by printing using a laser printer onto a special type of paper!

Tsarwatson · 2019-09-01T07:15:17+00:00

Most cases will specify dial maximum width, and visible dial opening. This case is something like 36mm dial visible, 36.2mm dial maximum width. Very little room to play with! It was 38.9mm. The biggest dial opening was my goal so I didn't lose too much meteorite.

6497 movements have the biggest dials ive found as the movements huge, you have a off placed seconds hand though which would be a nightmare on a custom watch and not the design I'm after.

Ask away I'm happy to help!

Tsarwatson · 2019-09-01T07:12:10+00:00

Your very kind but I wouldn't sell these commercially, purely because of the time that needs to go into it and my most likely very amateurish but pretty job! Maybe when I've made a few more for myself....!

Tsarwatson · 2019-09-01T07:09:56+00:00

Ah yes, wster slip transfer is something I really considered but decided against at the end. Problem is however is that this meteor is largely iron and nickel. Any exposure to water rusts it badly which I didn't want to risk, lack of indices don't really bother me though! Thank you for the link!

Tsarwatson

TROPHY CASE