Suggestions For Finishing These Bandsawn Reindeer

[Bob D.]

I've made a few pairs of these reindeer over the past few years, but this is the first I've done in Cherry and wondering how best to finish them.

For all the others I've used everything from scraps of Fir 2x4s to Cedar, Walnut, and Maple. The Walnut and Maple I gave a coat of wax. The others I've tried various finishes but not really pleased with how they turned out.

This pair of Cherry reindeer I would like to use a stain, but not sure what will look good. I'm thinking they would look good darker as opposed to a natural or just a clear finish.

So give me some ideas please and TIA.

 

[tjbnwi]

Put them in the sun for a day or two. They will darken.

Need to know indoors or outdoor display to recommend a finish.

Tom

 

[Dick Mahany]

Can't help you with finish suggestions, but those reindeer look great!  Must have been a fun project.  Is that a variable speed motor control on your bandsaw?

 

[Bob D.]

They would be indoors, but may see some sun. Since they will be a gift I can't say for sure where or how they will be displayed.

I know cherry darkens with age and that is a big part of why I am questioning what to do. Depending on the finish can the darkening be controlled somewhat or you get what you get and there's nothing you can do about it.

Yes, that is the DVR motor made by Striatech for the Rikon 10-325 bandsaw. I've had it installed for about a month now and working on a video I will upload to YouTube. I'm in an email exchange with Rikon over a couple questions I have and working on the video in between other projects that I need to complete before cold weather gets here.

Here are a couple screen shots of the display on the controller or HMI (Human Machine Interface) as it's called by Rikon.

The piece of electrical tape I put on to cover the USB port, they did not make provision for a dust cap and the location is poor. Should have been on the left side or the bottom and had a dust cap. I don't know if a dust plug is available for a USB port but I am going to look for one.

 

[Alan G]

Is it that time already?!?!

 

[Bob D.]

Is it that time already?!?!

Yup, it's time for Santa's elves to crank up the toy and gift factory. And none too soon it seems. The stores can't wait for Halloween to be over they have Christmas stuff for sale already.

 

[Alan G]

Costco had xmas trees out 3-4 weeks ago!!!

 

[Scott in San Diego]

The piece of electrical tape I put on to cover the USB port, they did not make provision for a dust cap and the location is poor. Should have been on the left side or the bottom and had a dust cap. I don't know if a dust plug is available for a USB port but I am going to look for one.

Hey Bob,

Here's some USB dust plugs for you.  Along with the world's longest URL...
https://www.amazon.com/Onwon-Rubber...t=&hvlocphy=9033152&hvtargid=aud-801738734305la-313402547646&psc=1

 

[tjbnwi]

Let them darken a little, oil. Time will do the rest.

Tom

 

[Cheese]

Glad to see the Striatech update is working for you. That’s pretty sweet.

Love the reindeer, are there plans available or is this a free form exercise?

 

[Bob D.]

Glad to see the Striatech update is working for you. That’s pretty sweet.

Love the reindeer, are there plans available or is this a free form exercise?

Link to the plan is in the description of the YT video.
The original plan came from WWGOA (WoodWorkers Guild of America).

I have tweaked the design over the years to the one you see me make in the
video with four legs. No one else makes them that way that I know of. I think
I have made about 40 so far, and these are the first I have done in Cherry as
I just got a supply of locally milled Cherry boards and these little reindeer are
perfect for using up scrap and offcuts after rough cutting boards for larger
projects.

As I mention in the video the original WWGOA reindeer are about 8" tall. I cut
mine about 6.25" tall and only need a chunk about 1.5 x 3 x 6.5 for my version.

I've tried a couple variations experimenting with different antler designs, neck size,
and other features but keep coming back to the four leg design that my version
morphed into over time.

I did see where someone makes a version with the head turned about 45 degrees
which is more complicated to cut but certainly makes them unique.

 

[Bob D.]

Hey Bob,

Here's some USB dust plugs for you.  Along with the world's longest URL...

Thanks Scott, that's just what I needed x 20

Price is right and I know I'll find a home for some of the other plugs.
I've added this to my Amazon cart.

I found some others that have a small handle on them making them easier to insert/remove but for this application I like the flush design better as the only time you make use of the USB on the controller is to update the firmware and I doubt that will happen very often. But maybe soon after I get through feeding back my comments after a couple months use.

 

[Bob D.]

So I waited but didn't see any color change, maybe it wasn't long enough, but need to finish these up so I used some walnut stain I tried on a piece of the offcut which I sanded to the same finish as the reindeer. I liked the color so I went with that. I've given them each one coat of Boston Polish Amber Wax and plan to put on at least two more. In the past I have tied a small gold bell on a red ribbon around the neck. Here s one in walnut that I did a couple years ago.