Purple Heart Telescope Eyepiece Case

[Gary in Texas]

Just finished another commissioned Telescope Eyepiece Case for a customer.  This case was designed to hold three 1.25" eyepieces and two 2.00" eyepieces.

The customer requested all Purple Heart in the build, only exception to that is the Maple splines at each corner.  I usually use 1/4" ply for the bottom panel, in this case, I kept with the customer's request and made a floating bottom panel out of Purple Heart that was 1/2" thick

I decided to finish this case with Watco Natural Danish oil, followed by buffing the finish with tripoli compound, followed by white diamond compound, and finished the process with Carnuba wax. 

Gary

 

[Shane Holland]

Though I don't often comment on them, Member Projects are my favorite part of the forum.

Great job and cool project, thanks for sharing! [thumbs up]

If I had it all to do over again, maybe I would have ended up in a field related to the study and exploration of space.

 

[teocaf]

that is extremely nice!  that's a fascinating niche in which you've found commissioned work.

as one with an "optics fetish", i would have also liked to see a pic with the optics in situ.

thanks for sharing!

(btw, it looks like a fly has 'photobombed' your third pic)

 

[semenza]

I have to remember your finish or bookmark this topic. That finish preserved the purple color of the wood very well.

Seth

 

[caseman]

That is as nice as it gets, excellent finish!,

 

[mike_aa]

Gary,
Wow!  That is gorgeous!  Great finish and those contrasting splines really add to the look.

What did you use to buff it out?

Thanks for sharing!

Mike A.

 

[Jamie_MA]

Gorgeous! Interesting that you placed the dust seal in the lid, I'll have to try that sometime. I too would like more info on your finishing technique. I love purpleheart and you really made that piece shine [cool]

 

[Gary in Texas]

Though I don't often comment on them, Member Projects are my favorite part of the forum.

Great job and cool project, thanks for sharing! [thumbs up]

If I had it all to do over again, maybe I would have ended up in a field related to the study and exploration of space.

Shane, thank you very much.

In today's world, it's never too late for change.  From Festool Ambassador to Interstellar Ambassador?

Gary

 

[Gary in Texas]

that is extremely nice!  that's a fascinating niche in which you've found commissioned work.

as one with an "optics fetish", i would have also liked to see a pic with the optics in situ.

thanks for sharing!

(btw, it looks like a fly has 'photobombed' your third pic)

Teocaf, thank you.  I think that was a flower from one of our Crepe Myrtles if I'm seeing the same thing....

I think I may have posted a photo before of one of my cases after the customer placed his optics in the case.  I did request the same this time, he receives the case on Monday so hope to receive a photo back with the optics in situ.  Below is one of my cases with the optics.

Gary

 

[Gary in Texas]

Gary,
Wow!  That is gorgeous!  Great finish and those contrasting splines really add to the look.

What did you use to buff it out?

Thanks for sharing!

Mike A.

[member=30413]mike_aa[/member] , [member=1619]SRSemenza[/member] , [member=9357]Jamie_MA[/member] ,

Thanks guys.

The method I used is no secret.  Basically the same as the Beall Wood Buffing system.  Beall has a couple of videos on YouTube that goes over his process.  I noticed last time I was in Woodcraft that they sell his system or components.  You can also purchase the tripoli and white diamond compounds and the Carnuba wax from Beall or Woodcraft.

I have a Jet 10" buffer, has a 10" long shaft out each end, rotates at 1750 rpm.  I use 8"/200mm cloth buffing wheels I purchased from Klingspor.  Note the wheel cloths are made slightly different and are specific to each compound or wax, although not sure how much that really matters.  I also noted on Beall's site that they now have an adapter that allows you to use his wheels on a lathe.

Basically (and as pointed out in Beall's videos) you initially start with the tripoli compound, as he says, you can never have too much tripoli when you charge the wheel.  Then, only a one second dab to charge the white diamond.  These two compounds and cloth wheels produce the shine on the wood.  The Carnuba wax follows for the reason all are familiar with.

Seth, I'm still debating over whether or not I should have gone straight to the buffing/wax and never applied the Danish oil.  One of my test scraps without oil indicated a lighter and more true color on the Purple Heart, the oil did darken the wood a bit.  I might make a small box and finish using only the buffing method...

Again, than you all for the kind compliments.

Gary

 

[stvrowe]

Nicely done.  I also like the table it is sitting on. [big grin]

 

[Sparktrician]

Those eyepiece cases are beautiful!!!  Your craftsmanship shines through. 

 

[Gary in Texas]

Nicely done.  I also like the table it is sitting on. [big grin]

[member=761]Steve Rowe[/member] - thank you.

I guess I made that table close to 15 years ago when living in Norway.  Plans came from one of the (USA) wood magazines.

Gary

 

[Gary in Texas]

Those eyepiece cases are beautiful!!!  Your craftsmanship shines through.

Thank you sir!

Gary

 

[bijeshj]

the table is amazing as well.

 

[dltflt]

That is gorgeous. 

 

[Cheese]

Really, really nice. Love the splines and the dust seal.  [thumbs up]

I'd be very interested in finding out if your finishing process prevents the wood from turning color or does it just slow it down.

 

[Gary in Texas]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] - thanks.  I have no idea on the finish and preventing the changing of the wood color.  I would guess any exposure to UV would darken the wood, nothing in the finish to protect in this manner. 

Gary

 

[Gary in Texas]

the table is amazing as well.

Thank you!

 

[Gary in Texas]

That is gorgeous.

Don, thank you.