The Spoon

[STB]

It started one fine day when my wife showed me a badly worn wooden spoon and said "This is my favorite spoon do you think it's ok to use?". After something more than 50 years with her a person would think I would know when I am being sucked in. In hind sight I should of said the dollar store has them in packages of three for a dollar but instead my macho self said "I can make a new one".

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So the first thing I had to find some wood to make the spoon. After explaining my predicament to the boys at morning coffee one of them came thru with a chunk of birch firewood. My next challenge was to break it down to a manageable size for the band saw. My neighbor came thru with an ax. Why someone living in the desert needs an ax is a mystery to me. When I split the round I followed the natural cracks. But then I realized the grain was going the wrong direction which meant some creative band saw setup.

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After cutting on the band saw there was enough wood to make 14 spoons.

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Now for the next problem. After turning the first spoon handle I realized that a steady rest was needed. This is what I come up with for a steady rest.

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PS I still don't have the spoons finished.

[algale]

Looking forward to the rest of this post!

[rjent]

Those are fantastic!

I love them! Like algale, I look forward to the finished product(s)

[davebodner]

It's funny how hints can drive us in different directions. It looks like you're working with dry wood. I'm looking for a suitable piece of green wood because of my wife's hint. This is what she bought me:

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/fro ... knife.aspx

By the way, I love those spatula-shaped spoons for cooking.

[Dansmith]

Very cool.

[db5]

Hey, three for a dollar? Why didn't you just buy some, wait a few days and give them to her. "All finished. I made you three." The things we will do for love (of woodworking).

[Hobbyman2]

I would say you got more out of that then all the dollar store spoons in the store. +1

[STB]

Well I finally started cutting out the rest of the spoons and the picture shows I broke a band saw blade (add another $15 to the spoons). Next finish turning the spoons.

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After turning the spoon blanks I realized I needed tools to carve the spoon bowls so I made tools and sharpening strops.

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After I finished carving the bowls I found a bug hole in one so now there are 13 spoons and one very nice looking paint stirring stick.

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For a food safe finish I mixed a batch of mineral oil and beeswax in a homemade double boiler.

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After slathering a generous coating on the spoons I preheated the oven to 200 deg (after sending the wife out for more beer) and waited for the mixture to start melting. I turned the oven off and let it cool. Examining the finish it appeared to have entirely evaporated or soaked in I suspect a little of both. On the second try I preheated the oven to 190 deg and repeated the process. Finished!!!

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PS. lesson learned: be careful when your machismo does the speaking.

[masonsailor2]

Yes you could buy them at the dollar store but then they would be mere wooden spoons and not Creations By Glenn ! Very cool.
Paul