Potential Stars Waiting To be Born.

[Pinch]

A little outbuilding is in a small holding next door to us. There are a few goodies with potential inside. The owner of the holding has gifted these potentials to me. So, here’s what I see; I see a few pieces of naturally formed ornamental furniture, with a bit of tickling and teasing here & there of course.

Photos below... I have used one of my old bench planes and mallets for scaling purposes. Comments on the rusty plane will be ignored, thank you . I’m unsure on the species. It’s all weighty, dense and lovely. Any ideas will be kindly received.

Photo #2 shows a good sized burr. I’m thinking a low standing three-legged display table showing off a hopeful exquisite figure of loveliness. Or maybe not. Maybe something entirely different with an obscure purpose.

I’m seeing photo #3 as a display case for my growing collection of automatic timepieces. Mrs P might have something to say about that, but you know how it chaps, we must stand firm at times.

Photo #4 is screaming out to be an ornamental mountain scene of lustrous glow.

The other larger pieces have a mix of potentials lurking in the shadows in anticipation of becoming a newly born star. I can feel that photos #5, 6 & 7 combined wants to stand with definite posture as an oversized ornamental display of some kind.

Your thoughts / ideas are welcome.

That’s all folks!

 

[Pinch]

PS: Merlin says "Hello!"

 

[AndyT]

Ok, sometimes fate works properly and now those great hunks of old timber, that have just been slumbering quietly, will awake at the arrival of a woodcarving wizard!

 

[Pinch]

Ok, sometimes fate works properly and now those great hunks of old timber, that have just been slumbering quietly, will awake at the arrival of a woodcarving wizard!

I'm not sure about that, Sir. But my endeavours will hopefully awake them.

 

[Pinch]

A rough sketch idea for piece in photo #3 - the Automatic Watch Stand.
Image #4 shows a standard acrylic stand with spring-back forces going on. Pretty neat uh.

Onwards and upwards. That's what I say.
Is it beer time yet?

 

[AndyT]

How many watches?!

 

[Pinch]

How many watches?!

18 so far.

Mrs P jumped on my case the other week, suggesting I was becoming "obsessed" with automatic watches. I smiled and reminded her of her four double wardrobes rammed with clothes, 10-15 storage units filled with shoes/boots/trainers and cupboard filled with jackets and coats. She paused in silence, then politely asked me if I fancied a cup of tea.

Are you a watch collector?

 

[AndyT]

Are you a watch collector?

Oh yes. I have two!

One that my parents bought me when I was 11 (mechanical, not working) and a nicer one that my wife gave me (quartz, dead battery, not replaced since I retired.)

...Just don't go asking about tools!

 

[Pinch]

Oh yes. I have two!

One that my parents bought me when I was 11 (mechanical, not working) and a nicer one that my wife gave me (quartz, dead battery, not replaced since I retired.)

...Just don't go asking about tools!

Oh I see. I expect the mechanical holds some sentimental. I'd be inclined to get it serviced and wear it, if it fits your wrist of course. Do you know the maker's name and model?

Presumably old hand tools? My kit has dramatically shrunk in size since leaving the Dorset workshop 8-years ago. But I still have enough old hand tools to create some woody things. I also have some scattered around the house on show as ornamental items. They look well suited in this very old house/cottage.

 

[AndyP]

I’ve no idea what that wood is nor any better ideas as to how best to use them. I am sure in your hands the results will be worth. waiting for.

I’ve 4 watches (2 identical] 1 fun watch that I should wear more often and one that will send me a txt if I have a heart attack.

 

[AndyT]

Oh I see. I expect the mechanical holds some sentimental. I'd be inclined to get it serviced and wear it, if it fits your wrist of course. Do you know the maker's name and model?

Not sure. Seiko maybe? On holiday miles away at the moment, so I can't check.

Presumably old hand tools? My kit has dramatically shrunk in size since leaving the Dorset workshop 8-years ago. But I still have enough old hand tools to create some woody things. I also have some scattered around the house on show as ornamental items. They look well suited in this very old house/cottage.

Yes, old hand tools. I still claim they are principally for use, though I do have a few for history/sentiment only.

How do you decide which watch to wear? Is there a strict order of rotation?

 

[Steve Maskery]

I have never understood the fascination with watches, especially the likes of Rolex. The mechanism, oui, but to collect lots of different ones, all of which do only one job, I just don't get it. So many of them are difficult to read and I think that many of them are ugly. It is YEARS since I've worn a watch. It was plain and simple. Big black numbers on a white face, even I could read it. It never needed winding, as the face was a little solar panel. It was a present from someone I'd prefer to forget, so I gave it away. Never felt the need to replace it. If I need the time I have my phone, but at this stage in life it rarely matters what time it is.
S
PS Nice wood.

 

[Cabinetman]

Well I wait to be amazed! And if Merlin is your work Pinch? Im absolutely sure I will be.

 

[Woodbloke]

I have never understood the fascination with watches, especially the likes of Rolex.

I'm the opposite; I've always liked watches as have my brothers. When the opportunity arose some years ago to buy a Rolex Submariner, I splurged out and it's now worth approx twice what I paid for it. The huge downside of these things is that you're advised to get them regularly serviced (every five years for a Rolex) and the financial outlay is very considerable - Rob

 

[Pinch]

I’ve no idea what that wood is nor any better ideas as to how best to use them. I am sure in your hands the results will be worth. waiting for.

I’ve 4 watches (2 identical] 1 fun watch that I should wear more often and one that will send me a txt if I have a heart attack.

I hope so. I'll have a tinker and try establish the grain, smell and maybe more.

A watch that sends the wearer a text in the event of a heart attack!? By golly!

 

[Pinch]

Not sure. Seiko maybe? On holiday miles away at the moment, so I can't check.


Yes, old hand tools. I still claim they are principally for use, though I do have a few for history/sentiment only.

How do you decide which watch to wear? Is there a strict order of rotation?

Vinatage Seikos are generally very good. Still going strong and well established workhorse movements. Many of mine have the Seiko NH35 movement.

I can relate to that. Old hand tools are beautiful things, made by highly skilled craftsmen. I would have said 'craftspeople' but not many craftswomen back then no doubt.

Haha, yes, the rotation... No particular order. Whatever takes my fancy at the time. Most days, I make at least two rotations, but I can rotate 3, 4, maybe 5 times during one day if I am at home. I am very discrete within the rotation process. My wife rarely knows I have left the room to change the watch.

 

[Pinch]

I have never understood the fascination with watches, especially the likes of Rolex. The mechanism, oui, but to collect lots of different ones, all of which do only one job, I just don't get it. So many of them are difficult to read and I think that many of them are ugly. It is YEARS since I've worn a watch. It was plain and simple. Big black numbers on a white face, even I could read it. It never needed winding, as the face was a little solar panel. It was a present from someone I'd prefer to forget, so I gave it away. Never felt the need to replace it. If I need the time I have my phone, but at this stage in life it rarely matters what time it is.
S
PS Nice wood.

Thanks S. I guess we are all different and I get that. For me, every watch in my collection is a small piece of art ticking with life. It's never been about having any obsessions with time itself. It wouldn't feel right if I wasn't wearing a watch through the day and evening. Yes, there are lots of strange looking unreadable wrist watches out there - ebay is flooded with them. I often buy pre-owned but I am fussy. If the watch doesn't have its original presentation box or papers, I most likely won't make the purchase, unless the watch is in pristine condition. My collection is far from the Rolex league. If Rolex was the Alvis, my watches are a mix of Jaguar, Mustang and maybe the Volga GAZ-21.

 

[Pinch]

Well I wait to be amazed! And if Merlin is your work Pinch? Im absolutely sure I will be.

Thanks. I bought Merlin as he is about 25-years ago. He's not my creation, but I would have given it a go a few years back.

 

[Pinch]

I'm the opposite; I've always liked watches as have my brothers. When the opportunity arose some years ago to buy a Rolex Submariner, I splurged out and it's now worth approx twice what I paid for it. The huge downside of these things is that you're advised to get them regularly serviced (every five years for a Rolex) and the financial outlay is very considerable - Rob

Ditto, although I don't have a Rolex in my collection. A pal of mine down south is a huge Rolex fan with quite a collection. He's always late. It's him, not the watch. But there is an irony in there.