What finish for a toy turtle?

Cloud · #1 12-19-2007, 06:06 PM

Hi, I'm new to carving. I made the toy turtle below out of a piece of wood off an old wardrobe - it's just about an inch and a half in length, and I think it's beech wood. It was a hard wood to carve but it should make a strong and durable toy. It's deliberately chunky and lacking in detail, again to be as robust and chip-proof as possible.

The wood was quite pale so I made some dye out of teabags, and it came out a nice golden brown colour, which I was very pleased with. Then after drying, I finished it with wax furniture polish.

Did I miss a stage out though - should I have oiled it in between the dyeing and the waxing? I avoided using varnish because I wanted it to have a natural look and feel, and the wax did give it just the finish I was looking for.

I don't have a proper camera so this photo was taken on a little webcam. Oh and the wood burning was done with my soldering iron (I'm an electronics engineer). I'll be making a turtle family over Christmas, so I have a few more to carve, so any comments on options for the finish would be welcome. Thanks.

AlArchie · #2 12-19-2007, 06:17 PM

I think he looks just fine, and the finish is fine, too. Really a NICE piece of work, and that is some kinda work with a soldering iron.....you oughta ask Santa for a Pyrography station and some pens for Christmas.

If you want a little more durable wax, try Minwax pastewax or even a good carnauba car wax (one without a cleaner/polish)

Al

Nancy_G · #3 12-19-2007, 09:09 PM

Cloud - Welcom to the board --- we're glad to have you.
I don't know a thing about finishes so I can't help you. I wanted to say that I enjoy that turtle a LOT and hope you show us more.

And I agree with Al that you'd get a kick out of a "real" woodburner

Kenny_S · #4 12-19-2007, 10:49 PM

Nice Toy trutle. look great as it is.

MelNM · #5 12-20-2007, 11:24 AM

Hi Cloud, he looks great.
Mel

wood-whittler · #6 12-20-2007, 03:41 PM

cloud,

i agree he looks great,

bart

Tom H · #7 12-20-2007, 04:09 PM

Welcome Cloud. Your turtle is great, and one that will last. Of course bein so small it may get lost for periods of time. As far as the finishing you did, it sounds fine to me. I carve a lot of animals to be played with by kids, and use Johnsons Paste Floor Wax over the top of all types of the finish. It's not as hard as a poly finish, but can be "refinished" with just more wax and buffing. Again, good job. Tom H