Pepper Mill of East Indian rosewood and tiger maple.

Very nice Dana and a great job with the tung oil, its perfect. So is the mill by the way.

Thank you, Dave. My photography skills are remedial, and they're matched by my innocence in the uploading-to-gallery department! The finish was 2 coats of S-W Tung oil sealer, then 9 coats of S-W polymerized tung oil, all brushed on and wiped off after about 10 mins. I use that process almost exclusively on the espresso tampers I make, and it has worked for me well for over 10 years. I allow 10 more days for hardening before I send a piece out of the shop.

Dana Paul said:

Thank you, Dave. My photography skills are remedial, and they're matched by my innocence in the uploading-to-gallery department! The finish was 2 coats of S-W Tung oil sealer, then 9 coats of S-W polymerized tung oil, all brushed on and wiped off after about 10 mins. I use that process almost exclusively on the espresso tampers I make, and it has worked for me well for over 10 years. I allow 10 more days for hardening before I send a piece out of the shop.

Click to expand...

Thanks Dana, I have not used the sealer but do normally go with 7 to 10 coats unless I want a satin finish then usually 2 or 3

Exceptional work, Dana.

Thanks, Bob! I'm still experimenting with finishes for pepper mills, looking for an easy way out of the coat-and-sand-repeat cycle to achieve the feel and durability that I seek. I have two pieces on the drying rotisserie now, drying their second coat of System Three Clear Coat, which I got from Woodcraft in Rochester, NY. I've posted pics of only two pieces on this forum because I usually follow traditional spindle shapes of beads, coves, urns and onions in my pepper mills, and even though I use unusual and lovely wood, the results could be considered quite ordinary compared to the beautiful and imaginative pieces that are typically displayed in the photo gallery! I do have one piece in progress that might show some interesting ideas, but I won't complete that piece until I've done a few more trials with different finishes.