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Finishing Rims of Natural Edge Bowls

Joined
Jul 7, 2018
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Location
Red Deer, Alberta
I have been turning burls recently, and would like to know about options to finish the natural edges. In my case I have been turning Maple, from which the bark has fallen off. I expect options would include brushing, burning, dying, etc. How should I approach "blackening" or ebonizing the rims, particularly using some form of ink and avoid it seeping into the wood and running over the edges? For example, could I brush on wood sealer around the edges first? If I spray lacquer on the sides before applying ink, would I need to cover the rim to protect from overspray? I would appreciate any recommendations.

Don O'Neill, Red Deer, Central Alberta, Canada
 

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hockenbery

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The treatments are pretty much endless.
I just color the rims with sharpies and prisms pens. They don’t bleed on solid wood.
Punky wood might be an issue.

These are few
Sanded with a small drum 09C0124E-09DD-4441-8276-7B03DE2F942F.jpeg


Lightly sanded colored with multiple prisma pens to give a bark illusion 1D84F522-A5F5-4BA2-9211-18AA648F043A.jpeg
4A636E70-0CC5-4F3D-8240-26EB052633E5.jpeg

Black sharpie. EAEE7B1A-31A3-4814-A069-1BDF5C87B2CC.jpeg

Nothing AB6B9459-00B4-4296-BABF-67F418C10686.jpeg
 
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Dave Landers

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Like Doug, if the bark comes off, I usually use a wire brush to get down to the sapwood, below the cambium layer (that stuff between the bark and the wood). I start with a brass brush, move to steel if that isn't doing the job, and a dremel with a small wire brush for more stubborn stuff.

Normally I leave it at that.

If I want to accent the rim, I usually burn it with a small kitchen (brûlée) torch. Then a little brushing with a toothbrush or soft (brass) wire brush to get rid of the soot.

If you're concerned about controlling the flame/burn (or you only have a bigger plumbers torch) then burn it before you take your final cuts, so if there's any "over-burn" you can turn it away.
 

Randy Anderson

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Like Dave I will sometimes use a small handheld torch with a point flame to go around the rim. I go around several times doing a little each pass to get to the tone I want. Then brush off the soot. I don't burn until I'm ready to sand and do all of the burning before sanding so if any gets burned over the edge of the rim it will sand away. I use walnut oil finish and will also rub oil on the edge to help seal in the burnt wood. I've never tried colored pens but seeing the pics I might give it a try.
 
Joined
Apr 1, 2019
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Location
Bashaw, Alberta
I have been turning burls recently, and would like to know about options to finish the natural edges. In my case I have been turning Maple, from which the bark has fallen off. I expect options would include brushing, burning, dying, etc. How should I approach "blackening" or ebonizing the rims, particularly using some form of ink and avoid it seeping into the wood and running over the edges? For example, could I brush on wood sealer around the edges first? If I spray lacquer on the sides before applying ink, would I need to cover the rim to protect from overspray? I would appreciate any recommendations.

Don O'Neill, Red Deer, Central Alberta, Canada
Well I can't believe my eyes. Don O'Neil finishing bowls. Looking very nice too. Good to see.
 
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