Spiel Posted October 12 Report Posted October 12 Started on this piece this morning for a long time customer/friend. It's a rare piece of stabilized Douglas Fir that had been hit by lightening. I'v made much progress on it thus far but it is proving to be a piece that will require much TLC if I'm to get it to completion. 7
misfish Posted October 12 Report Posted October 12 That there,is very cool. Looking forward to seeing that finished. Natures art. 1
Barry Willis Posted October 12 Report Posted October 12 Holy smokes Spiel, that looks super nice, that's one of a kind, you'll never find another one like it. As misfish put it, Natures Art, so true. Personally I would have kept it for myself. I have a fair bit of Douglas Fir for projects and firewood, of course where I live it's only a few hours drive to the BC sawmills and a very scenic drive at that. Ya never know what you're going to see. I usually get big rounds but nothing the log splitter can't handle. I also get a lot of BC red wood cedar as well which is awesome no matter what one wants to do with it. 1
Spiel Posted October 12 Author Report Posted October 12 56 minutes ago, misfish said: That there,is very cool. Looking forward to seeing that finished. Natures art. Thanks Brian. 25 minutes ago, Barry Willis said: Holy smokes Spiel, that looks super nice, that's one of a kind, you'll never find another one like it. As misfish put it, Natures Art, so true. Personally I would have kept it for myself. I have a fair bit of Douglas Fir for projects and firewood, of course where I live it's only a few hours drive to the BC sawmills and a very scenic drive at that. Ya never know what you're going to see. I usually get big rounds but nothing the log splitter can't handle. I also get a lot of BC red wood cedar as well which is awesome no matter what one wants to do with it. Thanks Barry, this piece is proving to be a bit of a PITA even though it's stabilized it by nature wants to tear out so I'm forced to go at it slowly and back fill as I go. More pictures added below in a few minutes.
Spiel Posted October 12 Author Report Posted October 12 So I went back at it this piece post dinner to make a little progress and I'm at a stall now until morning. Break outs are a problem along the burn lines slowing me down as seen here in the first two pictures. This piece will be the recessed hidden front reel seat hood in my seamless fore grip design, hopefully! 2
Barry Willis Posted October 13 Report Posted October 13 That must have been very discouraging at the beginning, but you obviously got beyond the bad and into the good. It looks awesome. Patience and perseverance in some cases pays off. 1
John Posted October 13 Report Posted October 13 That blank has amazing character Chris. Don't think I have known you to give up on a piece so you will get there. Absolutely love it and can imagine how it will look! 1
Spiel Posted October 14 Author Report Posted October 14 Made a little progress this morning. Unfortunately the seamless hood piece broke into 3 pieces as I was parting it off, which of course slowed down my morning progress. I did however manage to salvage it and get back on track. There is one chip out you can see at the top right seam that I can repair once the entire reel seat and handle is assembled onto the blank, it will never fail nor will it even be visually marred. It will take time though to get a (near) flawless finish on it as there's many micro cavities in the wood. 2
HTHM Posted October 14 Report Posted October 14 Would epoxy in a pressure pot have helped to strengthen the blank?
Spiel Posted October 15 Author Report Posted October 15 13 hours ago, HTHM said: Would epoxy in a pressure pot have helped to strengthen the blank? I could but it would be more effort and time than what's required.
Spiel Posted October 19 Author Report Posted October 19 The butt cap is now complete. The reel seat has seen final polishing. Then off to mortising, it was touch and go. Revealing a large void that'll I'll need to fill in. Maker's Mark. Assembly check and we're good to go to blank installment. 2
Spiel Posted October 20 Author Report Posted October 20 56 minutes ago, John said: A true work of art Chris. Thank you John.
Bill Shearer Posted October 20 Report Posted October 20 I would have expected nothing less, given your skills and experience! You sure brought out the beauty from a tough piece of wood. Nice touch with the brass Kingpin insert in the Butt cap! 1
Spiel Posted October 20 Author Report Posted October 20 15 minutes ago, Bill Shearer said: I would have expected nothing less, given your skills and experience! You sure brought out the beauty from a tough piece of wood. Nice touch with the brass Kingpin insert in the Butt cap! Thanks Bill, it is going on a KP 13'6 (5-10) and the customer thought it appropriate. I will start another thread once it's all together. I believe it was my last one, not the blank, I still have one more 5-10, last crown cap.
Bill Shearer Posted October 22 Report Posted October 22 I still have a couple of those bearing covers left 😉. Another option would be the Crown screw in black or brass. 1
Spiel Posted October 22 Author Report Posted October 22 I'd be extremely happy to offer my customer that option Bill when the last blank in my inventory hits the build bench. Many thanks my friend. Note, you're long over due for visit.
ccmtcanada Posted December 10 Report Posted December 10 Hey Spiel!! Long time no see!! That rod looks incredible!! I gotta get me a custom Spiel rod some day.... 1
Spiel Posted December 10 Author Report Posted December 10 Thank you Cliff. Long time indeed my friend, I hope you are well? You can PM me here anytime to discuss a build if the desire strikes you, or drop in for a visit anytime you're out my way.
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