Conversion

In a little more than two weeks, a block of mesquite wood went from this

to this

I am really enjoying converting a small piece of a tree into a useful object. A wood lathe is a wonderful piece of machinery. The maintenance crew at our resort saves all of the mesquite wood they prune from our trees so it can be used in the wood shop.

A chunk of wood is trimmed to a workable size.

Then a face plate is screwed on so the wood can be turned on the lathe.

I worked on it four different days, rounding and shaping the bowl.

After shaping and sanding, it came off the lathe. Next came several applications of tung oil to make it shiny and smooth. I am learning that different finishes are needed if the bowl is to be food safe.

I have purchased a block of wood to make another bowl. Then I will see what other wood projects I can complete before the shop closes for the summer. Just another way we are seniors at play here in the Arizona desert.