Turning of the Week for September 12, 2022

[Brian Horais]

My selection for the turning of the week of September 12, 2022, is “Red, White & Blue Vessel” by Tom Gall. The beautiful shape of this vase, coupled with the patriotic red, white and blue textured and airbrushed finish make this an ideal selection. It is even more fitting as I make this selection on the Anniversary of 9/11. Tom obviously has great control of the texturing process, combining pleasing designs with varying levels of texturing and coloring. A hint of the underlying Maple even shows through on the top and bottom of the vase. Very nice work Tom! You made my selection process easy in choosing your turning for the Turning of the Week (TOTW).

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Congratulations @Tom Gall Great carving on this beautiful vase. I wish I could see the colors. When I first saw it, I thought the carving resemble pebbles on the shoreline of a Patagonian Lake back home. Great choice @brian horais !!

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

Congrats Tom! I really like the texturing, carving, and colors on this piece!

 

[Tom Gall]

Brian, thank you so much for selecting my piece for TOTW. I thought it was appropriate to post this in time for
Patriot Day (9/11).

 

[Tom Gall]

Congratulations @Tom Gall Great carving on this beautiful vase. I wish I could see the colors. When I first saw it, I thought the carving resemble pebbles on the shoreline of a Patagonian Lake back home. Great choice @brian horais !!

Thanks, Emiliano. Good thing I gave it the title R,W&B to give you an idea (maybe), but sorry you can't see the colors.

 

[Gary Beasley]

Congratulations @Tom Gall Great carving on this beautiful vase. I wish I could see the colors. When I first saw it, I thought the carving resemble pebbles on the shoreline of a Patagonian Lake back home. Great choice @brian horais !!

Ever try a pair of Enchroma glasses? You might get a kick out of it.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Tom, very nice looking artistic turned, textured and colored piece!

 

[Bill Boehme]

Congratulations, Tom. Red White and Blue Vessel certainly is a headturner.

Ever try a pair of Enchroma glasses? You might get a kick out of it.

He contacted them at my suggestion a couple of years ago, but they told him that the glasses were for a different type of color blindness than what he has.

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

Nice piece Tom.

Is it appropriate to ask how the "pebbles" were done? Carved in place or off the piece and glued on?

 

[Michael Anderson]

Nice piece Tom.

Is it appropriate to ask how the "pebbles" were done? Carved in place or off the piece and glued on?

Likely via cup burs, starting with the small pebbles, and moving sequentially up in size. Really cool effect!

 

[Tom Gall]

Nice piece Tom.

Is it appropriate to ask how the "pebbles" were done? Carved in place or off the piece and glued on?

They are formed with cup burs/cutters. Originally (still) used for jewelry making to round over the ends of wire, but only in smaller sizes. Now available in larger sizes to be used on wood - thanks to my friend Mike Kehs.

They are concave cutters (which produce the bubble effect) that work by friction - lots of smoke!!! After about 2 seconds the tiny flutes are filled and then just burn the wood - especially on larger sizes.

If you care to check out my Gallery photos there are at least 6-7 pieces which incorporate cup burs. Here is one:

2019 Ornaments

Grouping of some of my 2019 Ornaments. Hollow globes (maple) with Holly icicles or hangers & caps. Approx. 2½”ø x 6-7” tall. All are a little different (shape, design, or colors) but use the same techniques. Textured and carved, colored...

www.aawforum.org

 

[Tom Gall]

Likely via cup burs, starting with the small pebbles, and moving sequentially up in size. Really cool effect!

Correct - except starting with the largest bur and then to the smaller burs. That way it is easier to control the wavy pattern at the edges.

 

[Michael Anderson]

Correct - except starting with the largest bur and then to the smaller burs. That way it is easier to control the wavy pattern at the edges.

Oh okay, that makes sense. Thanks for the explanation!

 

[Bob Sheppard]

Nice work, as usual, Tom.
I hope to see you in person again sometime.

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

Cup burs.... interesting. I have some old cutters that are similar. Mine produce hemispheres about 1/2" diameter. They're like a two flute router bit. They cut rather than an abrasive action and I recall they work best in end grain. They're used like a plug cutter. There's a tiny drill bit in the center. I believe they were used to add a decorative accent to something like a picture frame with a small brad in the hole to attach them. I'll post a picture if I can find them.

Thanks for the replies

 

[Tom Gall]

Nice work, as usual, Tom.
I hope to see you in person again sometime.

Thanks, Bob. Someday !!! I don't get out much.