Cutting board into a masterpiece

[Xxray]

More pandemic boredom, gotta say this one turned out really nice.
Used a cutting board glueup for the blank, looks like burled walnut surrounded by a frame of quilted maple. Didn't make the glueup, a guy I know does it way better and far cheaper than I ever could, a masterpiece in itself.
Is about 12x8", my goal was to center the model with a textured background leaving just a slight border of walnut left at the edge, and I was successful doing that. Took about 4 hours using a 1/32 TBN bit, and used beeswax finish again.

Included a pic of the back so you can see exactly what this was, looked like he used 6.5 strips of walnut and surrounded it by the maple. Flawless, can't even see the join lines on the front. Also is a pic of another board I got from him, have no idea what I'll do with it yet, checkered patterns IMO don't lend themselves well to 3D.

[jay pieper]

Xxray

That's what I'm talkin about.......
Very nice carve. I have made several of the end grain cutting boards but never
thought about going a step further like you did !!!

You always seem to be on the cutting edge thanks for the post.

[Xxray]

I'm on the cutting edge of boredom, literally had no idea I was going to make this right up until I did. I just bought the cutting board hours before and I knew something was going to be carved into it. Trying to put spare time to use, and making stuff like this is doing just that IMO. Gonna clean out and lube up the machine today, haven't done that in a while, then I'll see what other ideas filter through.

[woody53]

Xxray. That is awesome !! I love the things you do , and like you I am bored out of my mind !!! Can't seem to get it in gear, but I will soon I hope. Great work.

Dave

[Xxray]

Thanks Dave, not often I'd be presumptuous enough to call something I made a masterpiece, but this one really is.

As we all know, half the battle can be thinking what to do, how to do it and what to do it with. I've made dozens of these reaper models so its always a challenge for me to come up with something different, when I found the cutting board blank I knew at a glance what I was going to do with it, alls I had to figure out was the details like background [ended up using a bark texture] ,, And being pretty thick gave me the option to make the details pop a bit more than usual.

[scottp55]

That may be the nicest version of that model you've done Doug!
Congrats!!
The wood really does feel better, and grain Pops a little more with that type finish.
( I love the feel especially:)
scott

[Xxray]

No question that the wax is superior.
Does get into some tight spaces though in 3D that won't buff out and you can see it glistening, must have dried up a couple days later can't see any.

[scottp55]

That's where a horsehair long bristle shoeshine brush comes in handy with 3Ds Doug:)
(it's what they're made for anyways....and this is my favorite Finishing one)
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Professiona ... B00XV5H8BA
Be careful with Walnut with the Citrus Thinner....
on Walnut I've found it can suck the color from the dark areas and put it onto sapwood or lighter areas
(kinda "muddies" it). Not a bad thing on a glue up though
Excellent work!
(adding up to 50% polymerized Linseed wouldn't be a bad idea for you to test out for extra protection(?)...
(always wipe all excess off, which you can do with the brush,and wiping it off on a clean paper towel often, And dispose of rags properly with oils) May not be worth it if you like it as time goes on.
Just mentioning.
scott

[Xxray]

Thanks for the tips Scott, you are an exasperation ,, I mean, an inspiration !

Did use something similar to swab out cracks but it seems to me with something like this, you'd be hard pressed to literally get it all, and some you can only see on certain angles or light conditions. I noticed next day they all disappeared so it seems they dry up harmlessly and blend right in ,, So I'll get the shiny sprites best I can and let nature take care of the rest.

[scottp55]

You were correct the First time Doug
But I was sticking a first coat of Linseed/beeswax on a carving,
and the wet brush had enough excess to do two more carvings with 3+ coats on them.
And after the first coat had sat for 30 minutes....
cleaning and doing the other two was only 15 minutes:)
Always another piece around here to "dry" my brushes out...
and the pieces with oil/wax already just gain Depth.

Hmmm..No wonder most of my visitors have feathers or fur!

Keep experimenting Doug
That one came out fantastic!
scott

[woody53]

Doug. I was impressed with your carve , and found this one someplace for free. Just took it off the machine. Nothing like yours, but kept me from going insane this afternoon. Thanks for an inspiration.

Dave

[Xxray]

Looks pretty good Dave, nice lettering but lacks details a bit, guess you get what you pay for ! [I think I paid $20 for the model I use, probably the best CNC investment that I have made outside of the machine itself] and of course Aspire].

But yeah we all need projects to keep us busy, I'm starting a job Thursday and am glad of it.

[woody53]

Thanks, Doug. Yeah it does lack Alot of detail , but it is what it is. For a freebee and V Carve Pro , was what I could do. I should have bought a model like you, but I didn't. Live and learn. Thanks again for the inspiration.

Dave

[Creation in Wood]

Nice work