This isn’t my first time working with California Pepper as regular readers may recall. As was the case with the first blank, all of these blanks feature checks and natural voids, in some of these bowls this checking is quite extensive. Fortunately, these blanks cut cleanly as did the first blank I worked with since major sanding is essentially impossible with voids of this extent.
I have chosen to not apply a finish at this point due to the checking. Instead, as I have done with a Manzanita burl piece (not posted as of yet), I will ship these off to Dad for a final sprayed varnish finish. Spraying is really the only truly effective form of finishing that I can think of for extensively checked pieces but I don’t have the equipment to do it properly. Spray finish from aerosol cans just doesn’t really cut it in my opinion. Once these pieces are finished I will photograph them and post updated pictures.
CA Pepper Raw Unfinished
All pieces have been finished with a coat of lacquer, provided by my Dad, and they look fantastic!
CA Pepper Finished
All major cuts were made using the Easy Wood Tool system on my Robust American Beauty lathe, although I do use Robert Sorby bowl gouges for light final passes before sanding. Forward chucking was in a Nova Chuck, while reverse chucking was done using a Nova Chuck with Cole Jaws. Sanding was with Gold and Green Wave sanding discs from Packard Woodworks. Final finish is Odie’s Wood Wax.
As always, I wish all my readers a great experience in whatever your wood working interests happen to be and to those who like working with lathes especially, do a good turn today!