Hi there Everybody. New work time. And since this can be a correct one in all a sort sculpture, it adheres to the naming routine I developed ages in the past for this sort of work. So this sculpture’s correct title is BY222422 Possibly at some point I’ll inform everybody what which means.
I’ve been persevering with to discover the ways in which I can convey (my residence brewed) stabilized laborious woods into my follow, each virtually and aesthetically. I’m discovering that whereas stabilization does create a substrate that’s far more amenable to the sorts of machining course of I exploit in steel, there are many limitations and further concerns one must bear in mind.
Managing tear-out when milling and drilling intersecting geometry is an enormous one. Working round knots and different inclusions within the wooden is its personal distinctive departure from my normal work as effectively. Additionally easy issues which have an as but recognized reply like are you able to merely drill gap and run a typical faucet into stabilized wooden to create threads? On this case, sure if you’re cautious! however plan B was to mill the threads. Unraveling all of that has simply been so informative and numerous enjoyable.
One of many methods I believed to actually evaluate and distinction the variations between machining wooden and steel was, though easy sufficient, fairly revealing to me. That was to make similar advanced components within the totally different supplies. Initially I believed I would make two similar works, one in wooden (Boxelder on this case) and one in aluminum. Then I noticed the advantages in making a single hybrid piece, each aesthetic, sensible, and conceptual.
First, a piece that embodies each supplies is extra illustrative of the concepts I defined above, somewhat than having to clarify the idea, it’s plain to see in a single work. However there have been engineering concerns as effectively. The ultimate geometry of the shape leaves some fairly skinny cross sections within the type, and I truthfully didn’t know the way the Boxelder materials would carry out given the big variety of threaded parts piercing it. Threads can put inner stress on an object, so would the cumulative forces ultimately trigger the piece to interrupt or crack? Would it not warp? I knew the aluminum could be completely sturdy and steady on this scenario, however I had no concept how the wooden would possibly carry out; so sandwiching them collectively was a manner of supporting this aspect for which there was a number of uncertainty. It is also aesthetically extra attention-grabbing to me as effectively.
Now whether or not or not this closely processed piece of boxelder will ultimately shrink or warp over an extended timeframe stays very a lot to be seen. Stabilization does appear to do a superb job plasticizing the wooden and I dried the wooden totally earlier than processing it, however in speaking to totally different woodworkers, I’ve been assured that nothing is ever a positive factor. That’s in itself form of an interesting manner to take a look at a craft.
I’ve a good quantity of confidence that issues will maintain, but when they don’t, I’m most curious to study what impact being bolted to a steel assist could have. Will it assist preserve it in place, or trigger the wooden to crack or fracture alongside its connecting factors? There are numerous machined matches on this piece that I simply don’t usually see in wood objects so there are many alternatives for issues to occur, and in the event that they do, will they add to the piece? Will they be attention-grabbing in their very own manner?
My angle is, let’s discover out.
The dimensions of this work is 8.4″Diameter, by 2.5″ thick.
Observe for collectors: As of this preliminary writing, this piece is at present obtainable for assortment.
And as all the time, feedback and questions are all the time welcome.
Additionally, thanks for following alongside, and since this is the final work I’m prone to end this 12 months, I hope everybody has a superb finish of 12 months vacation, and a contented new 12 months.