Fill voids or not - that's my dilehma

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Texatdurango

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I recently had lunch with some ex-co workers who wanted to see some of my pens.

I have been increasingly drawn to the stabilized burls, to the point that is 80% of what I turn now. A question one of my friends asked got me to thinking. She said all my pens were pretty but did I have any wooden ones! Obviously she didn't realize the burls are wood but with most having the glossy CA finish, to the "non-pen maker" they looked like some of the acrylics I have.

So.... when turning a burl (or any blank) that has small voids or grain depressions, do you think it best to fill them with CA or sawdust/CA to afford a glass like smooth finish or do you let the grain depressions and occasional small void stay to serve as a reminder that it is indeed real wood?

George

I'll use this as an example, would you have filled this or leave it as I did?

2007511185446_sample-finish.jpg
 
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Put me in the "Fill" camp- with the dipped lacquer finish I use, I think it just looks better to have a solid finish, rather than one with "dimples" where there are small voids or other imperfections. A few minutes with thin ca and some 120 grit sandpaper, and I've got a slurry built that fills the voids. I also use this on very open grained woods, like Irish Bog Oak, in order to get a smooth finish.
 
From an aesthetic standpoint, I think a slick glossy surface with depressions in it makes it look like the maker just didn't take the time to complete the job. To me, it looks inconsistent. I finish with both CA and lacquer there aren't any depressions in either when I'm finished. No matter how many coats it takes or how long it takes. But, that's just my opinion and worth every penny you paid for it.[:D]
 
I have gone both ways on this. The depressions do make the pen more natural, while at the same time they also make the finish look less-than-perfect. I usually leave them if the finish has sealed the depression.

Chris
 
I am with the FILL camp. While there are some buyers who prefer the natural wood look, I personally believe there are more people who prefer the other (smooth and shiny)...especially among those who are willing to pay $50.00 and up for a pen. JMHO.
 
I think what your friend missed is the warmth and natural beauty you get from just plain old natural wood. The burls are beautiful but will never replace the natural wood for me.Perry
 
I don't have a consistent policy. Depends on how I think the finised product will look best. Maybe my mood and the alignment of the stars factor in, dunno. With antler, I always leave the voids.
 
Originally posted by jkirkb94
<br />I like filling the voids with powdered stones like turquoise, lapis, galena, etc. but sometimes I just leave the voids. Kirk[8D]
Click to expand...

I have done the same thing, but only on burl blanks. I've never tried it on straight grain wood yet, perhaps I should give it a try.

George
 
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