Thursday, December 25, 2014

This Guy"s DIY Woodworking Project Is Full Of Beautiful Mistakes

When you’re working on a DIY project, it can be pretty frustrating when something slows you down. Maybe you missed a step, or the materials you’re working with aren’t functioning properly. This can be a real bummer. But sometimes the little speed bumps that occur can be the very things that give your project the character that makes it truly unique. 


Case in point: This guy decided he was going to take an old block of wood and turn it into a fruit bowl. He couldn’t possibly have known how the speed bumps would end up making the final product that much more beautiful.



It really takes a lot of vision to look at an old walnut stump like this and see how it can be turned into something beautiful. First, it would have to be cut down to size.


It really takes a lot of vision to look at an old walnut stump like this and see how it can be turned into something beautiful. First, it would have to be cut down to size.


He did it the old fashioned way – with a handsaw. It takes some serious time and patience (and arm strength, yikes!) to saw a big chunk of wood like this in half. You can already see the unique patterns in the wood beginning to show.


He did it the old fashioned way - with a handsaw. It takes some serious time and patience (and arm strength, yikes!) to saw a big chunk of wood like this in half. You can already see the unique patterns in the wood beginning to show.


The wood was then shaped by placing it on a powerful lathe. More and more unique details began to emerge, along with some clear weaknesses and flaws in the wood itself.


The wood was then shaped by placing it on a powerful lathe. More and more unique details began to emerge, along with some clear weaknesses and flaws in the wood itself.





Given the speed with which the lathe sands and cuts down the wood, any flaws or cracks could ruin the project entirely. He had to make the decision to cut out the weak, flawed section and replace it.


Given the speed with which the lathe sands and cuts down the wood, any flaws or cracks could ruin the project entirely. He had to make the decision to cut out the weak, flawed section and replace it.


He replaced the section using a piece of maple with two pieces of cherry wood on either side. This combination would ensure that the bowl would stay intact when placed on the lathe that was running at 1,000 rpm.


He replaced the section using a piece of maple with two pieces of cherry wood on either side. This combination would ensure that the bowl would stay intact when placed on the lathe that was running at 1,000 rpm.


Then it was time to put the bowl back on the lathe to finish its shape.


Then it was time to put the bowl back on the lathe to finish its shape.


To achieve this look on the finished product, the DIY-er had to do some serious sanding, as well as add several coats of finish.


To achieve this look on the finished product, the DIY-er had to do some serious sanding, as well as add several coats of finish.


The little malachite accents are the result of another speed bump.


The little malachite accents are the result of another speed bump.


Wow.


Wow.


(source Reddit)


So the next time you’re in the middle of a project and something goes wrong, don’t throw the project away or get discouraged. Take this guy’s lead and turn those speed bumps into beautiful accents – making your project truly unique.



This Guy"s DIY Woodworking Project Is Full Of Beautiful Mistakes

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