My first finial

[Fadi Zeidan]

I had a piece of dry walnut and I wanted to try the skew. I never used the skew before. I decided to try making a finial. I had couple of run backs when rounding the ball at the bottom, but overall I enjoyed it. I need to try wood than walnut. And I need to turn something to put the finial on.

 

[Dan Bevilacqua]

Beautiful finial for a first, second, or thousandth one.

I enjoy making finials; but, I usually use a spindle gouge. It would be a nice topper for a lidded container, or even an icicle for a large Christmas ornament.

 

[Fadi Zeidan]

Thanks Dan,

I wanted to try out the skew, spindle gouge would have been easier in some areas, but I fought the urge to see what can I do with the skew. I don’t turn spindles, but after this, finials are fun to make and I plan to turn few of them.

What type of wood do you usually use?

 

[Dan Bevilacqua]

You are very welcome, Fadi. I recently made about 15 Christmas ornaments (bulbs ranging from about 1" to 2" in diameter) with relatively thin finials (icicles). Most of the finials were made of maple, and some with poplar. I have been practicing quite a bit on pine and poplar. I find the maple is much easier to turn with less need, if any, for sanding. I have also made some finials for some lidded boxes.

As to the skew, I intend to start practicing more skew work on my finials. I have used a skew on some portion of my finials, but I always go back to the spindle gouge because I am more successful with it.

Please let us know what you decide to make for that beautiful finial. Maybe another photo too?

 

[Bobby Smith]

Wow, that is awesome Fadi! Right now I wouldn't have the nerve to turn something down that small without it shooting off the lathe at me. Lol

 

[Fadi Zeidan]

I have some maple blanks I used for custom handles. I will try maple finial next time.

 

[Fadi Zeidan]

Wow, that is awesome Fadi! Right now I wouldn't have the nerve to turn something down that small without it shooting off the lathe at me. Lol

It is easier than it looks, always cut down hill with the grain. If it breaks, chuck another piece and try again. It is quick process, won’t take much time.

 

[Bobby Smith]

This is the closest thing I have turned. I made this for my sister's Christmas tree. Made this with a piece of 2x2 cedar from home depot. Lol

 

[Dan Bevilacqua]

I have found extremely helpful to me a You Tube video by "Mark Silay on "Wood "Slicing (Part2-spindles)" .

 

[Fadi Zeidan]

I have Mark’s video on my YouTube technique playlist, I don’t think I can turn like him.

 

[Lamar Wright]

Very nice finial Fadi....especially that being your first one. Well done indeed.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

You might want to try Indian Rosewood or a blackwood like mesquite or ironwood. Tropical wood will polish nicely and only need a little wax if that so no worry on finish

 

[tdrice]

Osage Orange is an excellent wood for finials and easily available in many parts of the country.

 

[Fadi Zeidan]

I went back and made a vessel for my finial. Little backwards approach, but I figured I never done something like that before and had leftover walnut pieces from couple of years and found piece of dry maple laying around.

It is about 7” wide, I didn’t measure the height but guessing 16”. Base is not wide enough, but that is what I had and was just playing around.

 

[Bobby Smith]

That is some very nice work Fadi! I couldn't even imagine turning something that thin.

 

[Dan Bevilacqua]

Great job. I always like a walnut/maple combo.

 

[Vicki Hayden]

Beautiful job. Hard to believe it's your first. I really like the shape.

 

[John Rander]

Good work Fadi! The maple vessel looks nice with your walnut finials.

 

[Fadi Zeidan]

Thanks guys. I enjoyed the spindle turning part of this. I may do more finials and ornamental turning for a bit.

 

[Fadi Zeidan]

That is some very nice work Fadi! I couldn't even imagine turning something that thin.

It is easier than it looks once you know how to let the tool do the work for you. A gouge or skew can slice the wood nicely and all it takes is light cuts with the grain without pushing the tool into the wood. Just let it do the work. From there, it is a matter of how thin you want to make it.