 |
Getting Started
Using lamination's of basswood I created a block 24” x 24” x 7 ½”. I was careful to make sure all surfaces were flat and altered the grain direction of the middle of the three rows, hoping to obtain gap-free joints and strength. |
 |
Gaining a Shape
In planning a challenge for me was how to shape a piece of this size. Not having a large enough lathe to turn a 24 inch square block I relied on my band saw and a set-up that allowed me to rotate the block into the band saw’s blade. Using a small dowel centered in a support board and the basswood block I was able to slowly rotate the piece. I took the four corners off first, and then proceeded in an attempt to make a circle, needing a second pass to obtain roundness. |
 |
Taking Form
I used the same dowel peg setup to form the surface shape. Rotating the block by hand and using a hand grinder I was able to remove the excess wood without too much difficulty. I drilled a hole through the center of the block and using a number of methods (hand router, drill, chisels, Dremel, etc.) I relied on the grinder to shallow out the center. |
 |
Becoming Lighter
Concerned about the weight of the finished piece and intending it to hang on a wall I decided to hollow out the back as much as I could. Using a hand drill and a one inch forstner bit I drilled multiple layers of holes, using a chisel at each layer to knock out the waste. This took a large amount of time, wanting to maintain the integrity of the sanded surface while working on the back. |
 |
On the Finishing Path
Again using the center hole with a peg I finish sanded the piece using a portable rotary sander and a range of disc grits. A lot of hand sanding was required to smooth the surface of the piece, removing the grinder and sanding tracks. The inside portion was almost entirely hand sanded to a finished surface. |
 |
Pyrography Lines
My recent successes of burning wood (Pyrography) led me to draw on those experiences in creating the lines, using a hotter bit and heavier touch within the center portion of the piece. I used a cooler bit in relaxing and softening the appearance of the lines, becoming much smoother as the lines progressed outward. |
 |
Finishing Touches
I had thought of different finishes, discarding my usual Danish Oil I wanted more of a hardened gloss finish that showed the characteristics of the wood’s beauty. I chose wipe-on polyurethane and was very pleased with the outcome. Some sanding between each of the many coats and I obtained the hardened luster I was seeking. |
 |
Ready for Hanging
All done! It was such an enjoyable project, once I got into it and past the concerns of “Can I Do It?”. |
