Spalted Beech Bud Vase with Laser-Engraved Celtic Bands (Rotary Tech)

[Aaron Mckeown]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some feedback on a recent project from my workshop in Donegal, Ireland. This is a Bud Vase (18cm x 8cm) turned from locally sourced Spalted Beech.

The Process: After turning the form on my KS Midi Pro and reaching a 25mm bore for the aperture, I decided to experiment with combining traditional turning with my Thunder Nova 35 laser.

The Rotary Challenge: Instead of a flat engrave, I used the laser’s rotary attachment to wrap a continuous Celtic knotwork band and a Claddagh symbol around the circumference.

• The Setup: I found that getting the "steps per rotation" perfectly calibrated was key to ensuring the knotwork met seamlessly at the back without a visible seam.
• The Burn: Because Spalted Beech has varying densities (the black zone lines vs. the softer punky areas), finding a power setting that didn't "over-char" the softer spots while still marking the denser grain was a bit of a balancing act.
• Finish: I sanded to 400 grit using Abranet discs before engraving, then applied hard wax oil over the engraving to keep the burnt detail crisp.

Seeking Feedback on:

1. Form & Proportion: Does the 18cm height feel balanced with the 8cm diameter, or would a more tapered neck improve the silhouette?
2. Laser Integration: Does the engraved band complement the natural spalting, or do you find the "digital" precision of the laser competes too much with the "organic" chaos of the beech?
3. Finish: For those who make bud vases to sell, whats your chosen finish ? this was finished with hard wax oil

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and learning from your experiences with rotary-engraved turnings.

Cheers,

Aaron McKeown