Kauri pine

Kauri pine also known as Agathis robusta  is a large evergreen tree with a clear straight trunk. It has a scaly bark with short narrow leaves. It is a medium to soft wood with relatively even grain. It is well suited to lathe work but does tend to tear out on the end grain. it is important to use sharp lathe tools. We source our timber from O'Briens Sawmill that is just north of Proserpine where they have large flat boards and beams.  They are very helpful so give them a call.

• Tel: 07 4947 1503 / 0749471503

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To teach the students to be competent in the use of a variety of tools and equipment, I try to do a project for all the machines and some of the power tools. Students enjoy cutting designs out of wood or ply. The aim is to fit a mirror on the back. This year (2016) we will look at possibly fitting a clock to it.

Feathers and flowers

Learning to solder does not need to be boring... creative YES. With copper foil and lead solder the students can create anything suited to these mediums (oh yes time too). This framing of a feather  demonstrates what can be done to make a hanging piece of art. Suitable items are pressed flowers or anything flat. Earlier in the blog is a fine example of a leaf skeleton in glass.

A simple but lovely bowl

Turned in 'Kauri pine' with a Danish oil finish.

Stunningly beautiful

Again one needs reminding that this is only the second time that these students have created work on the lathe. This bowl was made by one of the year 10 girls, It is mahogany with a danish oil finish... and the gold leaf in the center.

SIMPLY ELEGANT
It does not take much to get a good looking bowl. This one was 'keep it simple' as the grain was very interesting and with all its own lines the bowl did not need any more.The finish on this bowl is a soft sheen so that the grain remains prominant.

Mango bowl     ...in the making.....Above

see the beauty of the finished item

Another lovely bowl turned out of mango tree. The idea was to capture the changing grain that is found where the tree splits into two branches. At any time, the tree has to add supportive material to its structure the grain change. The aim of this bowl was to show the outsides as they were but to turn out the bowl from the inside and show the beautiful grain. The timber was green for turning and needed plenty of care to prevent it from cracking. The final result was a pretty awesome bowl. (The base of the bowl is also shown.)