[mrpaint]

Hey guys, been busy working on this last one for a while... Its my second attempt at a natural. I debarked and then microwaved the fork when I took it off the tree (mesquite). That was a probably 2 day process in itself, the wood was suprisingly moist. Then I set about shaping with a knife, another day or so spent on that. Then I started using a rasp for some more defined shaping. And then I used a myriad of sand paper ranging in grits from 100-600 to get the shape and texture I wanted. It was then stained with a 'natural/light' colored stain, followed by some polyurethane (four coats to be exact, sanding in between). The pics are better this time around, at least better than the pics I put up of my first natural. I think im starting to get better at the whole photography thing. Still the pics are missing something, you can't really tell how deep and extensive the finish is. Either way the fork is mesquite like I said before, and the piece of wood its sitting on in the pics is tigerwood (courtesy of bo's free flooring samples). I still haven't attached bands as you can see, I am going to try using the top slot method with a hacksaw and drill bit, just haven't worked up the courage yet.

Cheers,
Mrpaint

 

[shawnr5]

Very cool. Looks like a board cut, but better. My mesquite forks have been drying in the garage for six or so months.

 

[catburn]

Awesome. I hear ya on the top slots.

 

[mrpaint]

Very cool. Looks like a board cut, but better. My mesquite forks have been drying in the garage for six or so months.

Im telling you there is something about mesquite that makes it retain moisture longer than other hardwoods.

They should be dry by now though

 

[Quercusuber]

Very fine indeed!!! Excellent job

 

[Hrawk]

I really like the shape and profile of that. Great job, especially how you got the forks perfectly centred around the rings.

 

[mrpaint]

I really like the shape and profile of that. Great job, especially how you got the forks perfectly centred around the rings.

thanks man, 100% unintended, but appreciate it nonetheless

 

[LVO]

that's awesome Paint! I love the way you shaped it! Stunning work

 

[treefork]

Looks real good. Practice the slots on some scrap to get the confidence up. They are worth the effort.

 

[Beanflip]

Nice! Looks great.

 

[mrpaint]

Nice! Looks great.

Thanks a lot guys, means a lot to me.

Mrpaint

 

[Btoon84]

mr paint that is one heck of a natty, very good contrast with the bark and wonderful overall shape.

 

[Matt. H/C]

That look stunning mate...really nice finish too

 

[LBurnett]

Lovely work mate! Keep at it

 

[Bill Hays]

That is very nice. I don't usually comment on natural forks, they're just not my thing most of the time... but this one is a lot nicer than most I've seen.

For the top slots, don't "eyeball" them. Take a piece of squared off 2 X 4... place the slingshot's tips right up against it to act as a guide/jig before drilling with your drill press. If no drill press, then use a smaller bit, like a 1/16", and take your time to make sure you're lined up right... then use the larger 3/16" to wallow out the hole. Also, you might use a thin coping saw type blade before going with the hacksaw blade... you can always take away material, but putting it back is a problem!

 

[mrpaint]

That is very nice. I don't usually comment on natural forks, they're just not my thing most of the time... but this one is a lot nicer than most I've seen.

For the top slots, don't "eyeball" them. Take a piece of squared off 2 X 4... place the slingshot's tips right up against it to act as a guide/jig before drilling with your drill press. If no drill press, then use a smaller bit, like a 1/16", and take your time to make sure you're lined up right... then use the larger 3/16" to wallow out the hole. Also, you might use a thin coping saw type blade before going with the hacksaw blade... you can always take away material, but putting it back is a problem!

thanks a lot for the advice Bill

 

[rockslinger]

You did a great job on that one, looks really nice!

 

[jazz]

Thanks for sharing this with us, I myself got some new ideas on how natural forks can be worked out, thanks again.

 

[WILD BILL]

Very nice indeed!

Bill

 

[Ordie69]

That is a fine looking shooter. Great work on that frame.