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Update on Planet Mesquite

John Tisdale

John Tisdale

Joined
Apr 11, 2014
Messages
459
Likes
459
Location
Dallas, TX
Several have expressed some interest on what has become a long-term project. It came out of the coating booth today with first round clearcoat. Next step is 800-grit sanding around the openings and then taping for sand-blast. The purpose of that is to remove finish from those areas that can't be sanded.
The clearcoat creates a "high-gloss" which, to my thinking, is not attractive. After the sandblasting, it will be sanded w 800 and then clearcoated again.
Then final rub-out. I'll start with an 800-grit paper back (Eagle yellow) which will eliminate all orange-peel. Then I'll proceed with Assilex 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000 and then compound for a "high-lustre" surface. You can get the Eagle abrasive from Turningwood.com.
While I will use a 3/32 DA sander for the 800, I'll hand sand the Assilex. Even on this big piece, it is faster. It's kind of a kick to dry sand by hand out to 3000 - you can actually hear the stuff cutting - I couple or three swipes and move on.

w Clearcoat.JPG
w Clearcoat -2.JPG
 
John Tisdale said:
Several have expressed some interest on what has become a long-term project. It came out of the coating booth today with first round clearcoat. Next step is 800-grit sanding around the openings and then taping for sand-blast. The purpose of that is to remove finish from those areas that can't be sanded.
The clearcoat creates a "high-gloss" which, to my thinking, is not attractive. After the sandblasting, it will be sanded w 800 and then clearcoated again.
Then final rub-out. I'll start with an 800-grit paper back (Eagle yellow) which will eliminate all orange-peel. Then I'll proceed with Assilex 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000 and then compound for a "high-lustre" surface. You can get the Eagle abrasive from Turningwood.com.
While I will use a 3/32 DA sander for the 800, I'll hand sand the Assilex. Even on this big piece, it is faster. It's kind of a kick to dry sand by hand out to 3000 - you can actually hear the stuff cutting - I couple or three swipes and move on.

View attachment 26737
View attachment 26738
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Very neat. Are you planning on mounting it on something? I have been thinking about doing some yard turnings, something that can be displayed around the yard, close to the shop, we can't have signs around my neighborhood , a nice rustic bowl by my gate would be a nice calling card...
 
Emiliano Achaval said:
I have been thinking about doing some yard turnings, something that can be displayed around the yard, close to the shop, we can't have signs around my neighborhood , a nice rustic bowl by my gate would be a nice calling card...
Click to expand...

How about a planter or bowl to fit a pot with a plant. Coating would be a problem as well as drainage.
Stu
 
Regarding the mount:
Just like a globe of the earth in every classroom, I plan a half-circle steel or bronze bracket holding a 1/2" bronze rod at a 24-degree angle. The diameter of the opening is 4.5" - my thinking is a 5.5" bronze cast cap with a tenon that will fit into the 4.5". The cap will have a 16" radius and be as thin as possible - hopefully it will be only about 1/16" proud. There will be a matching cap on the bottom that will fit in the 3" recess. The whole thing will be mounted in a bronze or wrought-iron stand. If the above sounds vague, you are correct - considering lots of ideas. I'll get serious with the stand after the finish/rub-out is done and after I do a few more pieces for the gallery - it will be expensive. And truth be known, I'm a serial thinking kinda guy - gotta be smart to think parallel.
Regarding Dennis' question:
The log weighed a bit over 1000-lbs when it went on the lathe - it now weights 58-lbs and is 32" diameter - took a bit over 400-gallons of shavings in the hollowing process (7.5 55-gal trash cans).
Regarding Emiliano's outdoor display:
I would think that treating the inside with an epoxy like Aero Marine-300 and your drain holes would work - the outside could be automotive clear coat. Water wouldn't be the issue - to my thinking the big issue is keeping it out of the sun. Of course you could do a large teak piece and forget the finishing.
 
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