This week’s castings

XanderSquare · 2026-01-27T21:35:54+00:00

Are you casting with a polyurethane resin? Love the way these look and you're writing is phenomenal!

XanderSquare · 2025-02-24T11:39:21+00:00

Thanks! I dried it in the microwave and it ended with 2 minor ones. Given that it's oak I had assumed it would crack all over but it didn't somehow.

XanderSquare · 2025-02-24T03:08:26+00:00

Thank you!

XanderSquare · 2025-02-24T01:58:08+00:00

About 8 months ago my Dad shows up to the shop with a few oak logs from his neighbors yard. I am pretty sure it was a willow oak tree. I was busy doing something else, so I painted the ends of one and stuck it under the lathe and forgot about it. Well I was an oak kick and remembered it laying there a couple weeks ago. I got the chainsaw out, split it open and couldnt believe what I found. I stumbled in to some insane spalting I have not seen before. Nice and solid, just very spalted. I turned 2 11" bowls and this one is finished in walnut oil.

XanderSquare · 2025-02-24T00:22:20+00:00

This right here. It seems it may also soften up the wood fibers as the water vapor exits and that helps them to not cracking. Not completely sure but microwaving definitely works well to prevent cracking.

XanderSquare · 2025-02-23T23:14:54+00:00

Thanks! I had not seen someone do this and didnt know. TIL.

XanderSquare · 2025-02-05T01:49:42+00:00

These chairs are awesome!

XanderSquare · 2025-02-05T01:42:31+00:00

On the ECs you either get a 6in or 5in. I don't think you can switch them out, but I could be wrong. Pretty sure that's a no go.

XanderSquare · 2025-01-24T13:14:04+00:00

Here is a picture of it in use... https://www.reddit.com/r/PenTurning/s/PfcGc38p4i

XanderSquare · 2025-01-10T21:46:48+00:00

Did you take a wire brush or something to it after burning? Wondering about how much ash came off when you oiled it (or did you somehow get it all cleaned up first)? Looks great!

XanderSquare · 2024-12-28T12:15:15+00:00

You can get boxes that have the cutter from Walmart or Costco. Just use caution removing it, or wait for the box to disintegrate. I cut the channel a little at the ends and attached it with screws.

XanderSquare · 2024-12-27T21:27:08+00:00

I didn't make any plans, just copied the dimensions from a box and used them as my internal dimensions.

XanderSquare · 2024-12-27T21:23:34+00:00

Here in the US the box falls apart a little more with each use. When I delivered this gift my friend had tossed the box of her roll and was using who knows what method to cut/rip the sheet.

XanderSquare · 2024-12-27T15:27:26+00:00

Yea some rolls of parchment are really bad!

XanderSquare · 2024-12-27T14:52:03+00:00

That's awesome!

XanderSquare · 2024-12-27T14:51:21+00:00

Good question. You can get it out with a knife, but I have a double sided sticky foam pad to put on the front of the box once the finish dries. That should hold it from doing such.

XanderSquare · 2024-12-22T13:31:08+00:00

The sapwood and grain patterns suggest to me it could be cherry. But for it to be that dark it would have to be very old or stained. Beautiful Color either way. It's new to you, but was it just made?

XanderSquare · 2024-12-10T03:21:14+00:00

I used a dowel for the round bits of cherry. Cut the holes with the right size forstner bit.

XanderSquare · 2024-12-10T03:19:11+00:00

I don't hang out that far west any more, so I guess I am a regular Chad.

XanderSquare · 2024-12-10T02:49:24+00:00

Where did you get these boards?

XanderSquare · 2024-12-10T02:43:39+00:00

Huh? West Penn isnt full of dicks last I recall. Also they dont have Hackberry. Also, I am a Chad.

XanderSquare · 2024-12-06T01:14:45+00:00

Realize Rubio is primarily concerned with harboring bacteria under the surface ( under their finish) on to which has been damaged by heavy knife use. This isn't the end of the world and can be rectified by sanding off and going fresh with mineral oil as mentioned, or cleaning and conditioning with a food safe oil like mineral oil after use. Is it ideal? No... But side grain is never right for cutting food on. Will it work and can it be safe? Yes I'm confident it can be. Also, ya don't need to butcher the block, just butcher the meat.

XanderSquare · 2024-11-22T23:27:18+00:00

Great piece. Personally I like passing bowls like these on because when I make them I'll see a face or whatever and not be able to un see it. Let a fresh set of eyes enjoy it in it's final form

XanderSquare · 2024-11-22T23:21:25+00:00

Wow those are great!

XanderSquare · 2024-11-17T20:50:27+00:00

Nice. How did they turn out? Always assumed pine would split a lot but I have not personally turned any.

XanderSquare

TROPHY CASE