Nice project Mike, a consideration for making the eyes, make them cross grain by using a plug cutter, drill and plug a series of holes in a white board with walnut plugs, flatten the board and then recut two colour plugs to insert into the birds head. I have done similar technique to give a stitching look to flatwork boards. Using small size plug cutter for dark wood and then a larger sized plug cutter for eyeball opens up eye shape options that could be fun.
Thanks for that tip, Bert. I will look into that next time I make some. I will probably need to invest in a different size plug cutter than the one I have. Probably easier than turning the eyes and certainly reduces the darkening you get with end grain.
I used a 3/8 barrel type plug cutter on a walnut scrap and made a bunch of plugs. Then I glued them into 3/8" holes in a maple scrap board. Then with the same 3/8 plug cutter I could cut two "eyeballs" from each walnut plug in the maple scrap. These things are like popcorn you can't stop at just a handful, Lol, I now have a small plastic organizer full of various colour combos and sizes to spice up my wall dots projects. It always amazing where inspiration for an unrelated project can come from.
Great video. Didn't think I could make one but your instructions were nice and clear. I also had eye color problems. maple and red oak look too similar so eye whites are too subtle. I'll try some of the suggestions in the comments
@@MikePeaceWoodturning Mike you are in Georgia so you should be able to get some from Florida? I am in Arizona and I had a grapefruit tree in my back yard.
Mike this tip might be helpful then again it might not when you were saying about the screw working lose in the chuck jaws the solation that I've been using for years to prevent screws from working lose is a little touch of clear nail polish to the treads by the way my wife is still wondering were the hell she put her polish lucky she doesn't come into my workshop ( she is also looking for her polish remover) Anyway merry Christmas from Australia may God bless you and yours Trevor
Nice project Mike, a consideration for making the eyes, make them cross grain by using a plug cutter, drill and plug a series of holes in a white board with walnut plugs, flatten the board and then recut two colour plugs to insert into the birds head. I have done similar technique to give a stitching look to flatwork boards. Using small size plug cutter for dark wood and then a larger sized plug cutter for eyeball opens up eye shape options that could be fun.
Thanks for that tip, Bert. I will look into that next time I make some. I will probably need to invest in a different size plug cutter than the one I have. Probably easier than turning the eyes and certainly reduces the darkening you get with end grain.
I used a 3/8 barrel type plug cutter on a walnut scrap and made a bunch of plugs. Then I glued them into 3/8" holes in a maple scrap board. Then with the same 3/8 plug cutter I could cut two "eyeballs" from each walnut plug in the maple scrap. These things are like popcorn you can't stop at just a handful, Lol, I now have a small plastic organizer full of various colour combos and sizes to spice up my wall dots projects. It always amazing where inspiration for an unrelated project can come from.
Thanks, Bert. I will definitely be trying your techniques on my next ones.
great video! I've been having some issues chucking up odd pieces and I think that donut chuck is the answer!
Very, very close to those chuck jaws Mike!
Probably not as close as it looks but it is something to be mindful of, especially with long sleeves in the winter months.
Beautiful birds!
I think a slice down the beak with the same dark wood glued in would look cool like its beak is slighly open.
Great video. Didn't think I could make one but your instructions were nice and clear. I also had eye color problems. maple and red oak look too similar so eye whites are too subtle. I'll try some of the suggestions in the comments
I think I will use Holly with a plug cutter in side grain so it won't absorb as much finish.
Use holly for the white of the eyes. Other than it being really expensive, it would work well, I think.
Good project, me hearty.
Mike; you could use Grapefruit wood which is very white and a fairly dense wood?
Never heard of it so do not think it would be readily available here.
@@MikePeaceWoodturning Mike you are in Georgia so you should be able to get some from Florida?
I am in Arizona and I had a grapefruit tree in my back yard.
I kind of like the spalted red oak for this project. It is much easier to find around here than trying to track down some wood from Florida.😀
to keep the eye white, try using some type of plastic. it won't absorb the finish.
Put a tab of yellow glue on the white and let dry good and it shouldn’t absorb the finish as much?
Glue will leave stains. Try shellac or just another coat of finish.
You can find a link to a project handout on my website as shown in the description above.
Nice bird. Maybe a tagua nut would stay white.
I have some and thought about it. Might be a pain to turn many but may be worth a try. I need to do a video on tagua nuts.
Mike this tip might be helpful then again it might not when you were saying about the screw working lose in the chuck jaws the solation that I've been using for years to prevent screws from working lose is a little touch of clear nail polish to the treads by the way my wife is still wondering were the hell she put her polish lucky she doesn't come into my workshop ( she is also looking for her polish remover) Anyway merry Christmas from Australia may God bless you and yours Trevor
Thanks, for the tip.
The whitest finish I know of is water based varnish it adds no color, which is why I don't like it for most applications.
That reminds me. I do have General Finish's waterbased product Woodturners Finish