Club Meeting: 20th November 2024
Report by: Rebecca Waite
On November 20th, Dick Veitch captivated the audience with a vibrant demonstration inspired by the renowned UK woodturner Phil Irons, featured in this month’s online NAW meeting. For a deeper dive into Phil’s stunning work, check out his website: Phil Irons Woodturning.
Before diving into the demonstration, Dick showcased an exquisite piece turned by Dick and coloured by Phil, alongside a striking blue vase he created using a similar colouring technique. The vase was pre-turned and sanded, setting the stage for the creative process.
Dick began with a piece of highly rippled macrocarpa, emphasising the importance of selecting the right wood. He explained that lighter woods not only enhance the vibrancy of colours but also contribute to the overall beauty. For a balanced vase design, Dick adhered to the rule of thirds, allocating one-third for the top and two-thirds for the base. He marked his wood and began to shape it into a tulip-like form, using a spindle roughing gauge sharpened at a 35-degree angle. After achieving the desired silhouette, he sanded the piece to a smooth 250-grit finish.
The colouring process was equally intriguing. Dick utilised the colour-fast Bri Wax spirit-based dye, which can be explored further at Briwax Wood Dyes. He began with black dye applied with a brush as the lathe turned slowly, removing excess dye with a paper towel soaked in clear methylated spirits—wearing gloves for protection, of course. Allowing the dye to dry for 30 minutes.
Next he started power sanding with 320 grit while the lathe runs at 100 RPM. It’s normal for the sanding paper to clog with paint, so keep going until you see some white wood. Then, apply the blue Briwax colour-fast dye, wipe off the excess, and let it dry for 30 minutes. Thankfully, Dick was well-prepared and showed us a piece with both black and blue.
Avoid water-based Briwax dye because it takes longer to dry and can raise the grain. Next, sand again with 400 grit to remove some stain, then repeat the dye step again then sand with 600 grit. This lets you gradually work through the grits and add more layers of colour to achieve your desired look—one of Dick’s finished pieces had three layers of black and one of blue.
Different woods affect dye colours; for instance, macrocarpa has a yellow base that alters the dye’s appearance. The key challenge is to find the right balance of sanding and colouring.
Dick also noted that different woods can dramatically alter the appearance of dye colours, with macrocarpa’s yellow tones influencing the final outcome. He expertly navigated the challenges of achieving the perfect balance of sanding to colour, concluding with a suggested finish of low gloss lacquer for a polished look.
This demonstration not only showcased Dick’s skill but also sparked creativity and inspiration among participants, making it a memorable event in the our woodturning community!