Project Dolphins

While I was cleaning out the workshop last weekend, I came across a set of plans for carving Dolphins which I had purchased a long long time ago (15 or 20 years ago) at the Brisbane Working With Wood Show.  I did attempt to do the project back then, but I never really finished them (poor choice of wood combined with lack of equipment and tools).  As I now have the necessary tools and a little more time up my sleeves, I decided that it would be nice to attempt the project once again.

I decided to use some hardwood ply that I had left over from a previous project and marked out the pieces and proceeded to cut them free hand on the bandsaw.  The next task was to dowel and glue the sections together and clamp them ready for the next stage.  I had already decided how I wanted to display the Dolphins which consisted of a mother and two calves.  I had made a small laminated board from some scrap Camphor Laurel while practicing with the thicknesser and router and decided that it would make a nice base for the setting.

Having done the roughing out last weekend, this weekend was set aside for fitting the fins and a awful lot of hand sanding (note to self, must get an orbital sander).  I spent a lot of time trying to complete one of the calves.

One good turn deserves another

As promised, here are a few of the items that I have created over the last few months.   I have given quite a few away and also turned some items to order.

I really like the grains in the different woods.   Some woods are more difficult to turn than others and I find that I learn something new each time I attempt a new article.

I started turning pens and branched out to other areas as I became more confident.   I still like turning pens and am attempting to have a collection of each type of wood that I come across.

When we get back from our next trip, I want to have a go at creating jewelery boxes.   Here are a few close ups of some of my turned boxes.

 

Australian Prickley Pear



Olive

And my first attempt to carve....



The Boot



 

 

My new hobby

As you all know, I'm not at all happy doing nothing and now that we both have more free time, I have taken up a new hobby.

As long as I can remember, I have been good with my hands and I like creating.   Working at Carba-Tec has given me the opportunity to learn to work with wood.  To this end I purchased a small lathe and have been learning how to turn wood.

So far I have turned Pens, Small Lidded Boxes, Salt and Pepper Grinders and Bowls and Platters.   I will show you some of my successes soon.

My Lathe

My workshop looking in

My workshop looking out