Applewood quaich

[Hammock Hamster]

Hi all,

Just finished up a little applewood quaich for my niece who turns 2 next month.
The wood came from a tree recently cut down in the garden of their new house so hopefully will have some sentimentality attached.

It's got more of a rustic vibe too it than I intended and using only hand tools it doesn't have the evenness or thinness of a turned bowl but I'm still relatively pleased with it.

Thoughts and criticisms welcome.

Hamster

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[Baelfore]

Beautiful!

Apple is one of my favourite woods, and the grain has come up very nicely on that.

well done!

atb
Ste

 

[crosslandkelly]

That's lovely, nice work.

 

[Hammock Hamster]

Beautiful!

Apple is one of my favourite woods, and the grain has come up very nicely on that.

well done!

atb
Ste

It's the first time I've managed to get hold of some applewood and I must admit it was a joy to carve.
My mainstay is birch as its what I have available locally but I also have a nice piece of sycamore from the same garden that I'm hatching a plan for In the near future.

 

[SoldierPalmer]

There is something really likeable about it can I ask what oil you used? Is has really brought the grain out well.

 

[Muddypaws]

What a lovely quaich! I'm sure that as a gift it will be appreciated, especially with the connection to the house and garden.

 

[Madriverrob]

Very nicely done, you've brought the beauty out of the Apple wood for sure

 

[Hammock Hamster]

There is something really likeable about it can I ask what oil you used? Is has really brought the grain out well.

I used almond oil (after checking there weren't any allergy issues) as it is one of the lightest food safe oils I have found.
For other items I use walnut oil but it does darken the wood more and the sanded Apple was so nice it felt wrong to darken it more than necessary.
After 2 coats of almond a day apart I then gave it an oil and beeswax finish with a good buffing afterwards to get the glossy finish.

 

[Robson Valley]

Very well carved and finished. This is the first piece of apple wood that I've ever seen that wasn't cracked all to Hello.

 

[Wild wandering woodsman]

Looks. Awesome, hope you dont mind my asking, but what is that sanding device in pic 7?🤔


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[Hammock Hamster]

Very well carved and finished. This is the first piece of apple wood that I've ever seen that wasn't cracked all to Hello.

I know what you mean, as this is a gift I decided to be extra careful.
4 weeks to air dry when first cut - left I the round
Split down to a thick plank and another 2 weeks to dry in a open box with some shavings
Kept in a part open plastic bag with fresh shavings between carving sessions and aired for an hour each day
Kept in a part open plastic bag once sanded for a week until moisture stopped showing through
Then a final week on my work bench before a final sand and oil finish

Over cautious? Definitely. Worth it to end up with no splits? Absolutely!!!

 

[Hammock Hamster]

Looks. Awesome, hope you dont mind my asking, but what is that sanding device in pic 7?🤔


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It's actually just my take on a bodged version of something I saw on a website.
I can't find the original despite googling for it but is was basically an S shaped piece of plastic with Velcro and pre cut sanding belts with corresponding Velcro tabs.
It was meant to be used for hand sanding curved things by allowing a bit of give in the sanding belt.

Here is my version, it's definitely still at the mk1 stage but did the job ok.
Basically just a wooden curve with 3 saw cuts for the belt to sit in, two at the back to lock the belt in place and one at front to pull tight and secure with your hand.

Hope that sort of makes sense.

 

[Wild wandering woodsman]

Awesome idea, thanks for explaining 😊👍🏻


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[Robson Valley]

HH: Your Post#11: It isn't over cautious, it's a lesson for anyone who wants to go this way.
I will take notes.
Apple is a beautiful but difficult carving wood. If I didn't have so many pieces on the bench,
I'd be looking for some fresh apple to try again.

At this very moment, several handfuls of apple wood chunks are lazily smoking some seasoned pork side ribs in the BBQ at about 275F for 3-4 hrs.
Company rolling in later tonight, ribs and Santa Fe bean/corn salad by request.

 

[barbourdurham]

that is a beautiful piece of work! i wish i had the skill to do things like that.

 

[Hammock Hamster]

that is a beautiful piece of work! i wish i had the skill to do things like that.

It's easier than you might think, the one thing I have learnt through carving it's that patience it key.

There are plenty of better wood carvers out there than me who could make something like this in an hour, and do a better job of it too, but for me it's all about gradually taking away small bits at a time until the wood turns out how I want.

I would urge anyone to give it a go as I think you would be surprised what you can create with just a bit of time.

 

[sirysghost]

Nice work old boy

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[forginhill]

That's some great work there!