Don't skip through if you can help it. This one gets exciting and more than a little sketchy...
It seems like everyone has been heckling me to turn driftwood for a while now, and I also had a customer request a mothers' day gift. Their only specification was "navy blue", so naturally I thought... "What better excuse do I have than to combine navy blue and driftwood?" I was going for an oceanic vibe, with lighter blues to emulate surf at the top of the vase and deeper darker blues to evoke the depth of the ocean at the base of the vase. I had an idea for the final shape, but there was really no practical way to get there prior to casting this weird piece of wood. It was very decayed, and I did not want to limit my options by hacking away at it too much prior to casting. I also should have realized that there might be sap in the wood. After all, pine trees tend to seel off exposed endgrain with sap, and this was no exception even though it had spent some quality time in the ocean.
When the initial mold failed, it was purely by the mercy of God that I decided to check inside the pressure pot. If I had waited just one more day, the project would have taken a very different turn. But as it was, we were able to salvage almost all of the resin and make a new mold in a matter of minutes. Even though by that point, the resin had been tossed around and mixed up beyond hope, I was still hopeful that there would be visible swirls in the resin. By heating the shop, there was a greater chance of achieving just that, so I risked it. As you might expect, I never stopped fighting with the sap, and after about 4 coats of penetrating epoxy and 3 coats of tabletop epoxy, I thought I had finally beaten the sap problems. But I was wrong.
The vase broke, and the client cancelled their order. So I resolved to fix it anyway. When the vase broke into two remarkably boring pieces, I had a suspicion that there might be other weak points in the wood that might cause future catastrophic issues, so I polled my family and my Instagram viewers, who were divided almost 50/50 for and against breaking the vase any further. I elected to cast the deciding vote and went for it. Now, in the past I have been accused of attempting an ancient Japanese technique of repairing broken pottery called "kintsugi" without giving credit to the concept, and I have no intention of calling whatever this resurrection attempt was by the same name. However, the concept of kintsugi--repairing something broken with gold--is a theme I wanted to utilize. Of course, my hubris in rejecting a perfectly fine gold pigment in favor or mixing in contrasting colors meant that the subsequent void-filling ended up looking about as patchy as one might expect when color-matching is impossible. Either way, the remainder of the project went off without a hitch, as one might say, except for, of course, the sap...
By the 5th coat of epoxy, I was resolved not to sell the vase if the sap was still seeping through, and it was. So there you have it. I will probably keep this vase as an object lesson never to work with pine wood ever again, or at least never to turn green or air-dried pine. If you would like to purchase this vase, you are welcome to send me an email with an offer. But don't get your hopes up, as the value of the time and effort invested into this object lesson won't be easily quantified.
If you enjoyed the video, please smash that LIKE button! It really helps support me in this work. Please also leave a comment letting me know your thoughts. If everyone shares this video, maybe I'll find someone daring enough to make me an offer I can't refuse.
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The fact that you never gave up and turned this into a stunning piece of art is impressive and admirable! Well done!
Thanks TotalBoat! Could not have done it without you!!
Ya, he didn't have any audio but i can just imagine some of the things said when it broke like that, it almost made me want to cry and I didn't even spend any time working on it. He's definitely a very determined person and that little vase is absolutely beautiful
One man's stunning is another man's ... I can drip epoxy/superglue over a turd and make it look impressive. I'm really hoping that the next/3rd time I watch you - you make something truly inspiring - cos we're done if not
found the pedantic troll
@@FirstNameLastName-hahaha could you post an example of some of your praise worthy original work please. If your not impressed with this, I'm sure I will be enthralled with your work.
There is nothing worse than watching hours of work undone in an instant. Fantastic recovery mate, it's a real work of art.
I love that you didn't let this defeat you... you came up with a solution, and it turned out magnificently!!! You're a problem-solver and a gifted artisan. 😊
You sir, are an unflappable artist. When that piece broke apart, I literally gasped, "Oh no! All that work!" I would have probably found the nearest trash can and called it a day. But you kept on going which inspires us all to work through the chaos and keep going. The end result was simply striking. Thanks for allowing us to see the journey till the end. Beautiful. 😊
Wow 😮 My heart sank when it flew off the lathe. You just go with it and continue to create. So amazing.
@@DavidAdamsen you basically did a Japanese technique called kintsugi with wood and epoxy in stead of pottery and gold
I literally yelled, “Oh F@$k!”
When it flew off the lathe, I just shouted, "what did you think was going to happen!?" If this was intentional to make a Kintsugi-style turned piece, okay. But there have to be safer ways of going about it. That lathe was cooking when he was cutting the end. Jeez
“There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” - Bob Ross
Not sure about "happy", but ok lol
@@DavidAdamsen ever try Chinese elm??
@@DavidAdamsen Lol fair enough but you have to be happy how great it turned out though.
@@DavidAdamsen yeah I reserve the right to be pissed when I give myself extra work lol
That fractured look turned out great in the end!
Wow brilliant job, you have far, far, FAR more patience than I could ever bring to a project, beautiful piece....
I'm watching this for the 2nd time. The symmetry of the roots around the trunk is just so perfect. So glad that even after disaster struck, the project ended with something beautiful. 🎉
You have taken the art of combining wood and epoxy together to a whole new level! I am amazed at how much work it took for you to create this beautiful one of a kind piece of art! I’m astonished at how determined you were to create this masterpiece! Thankfully, you were willing enough to share your experience with others who yearn to make beautiful things in woodworking art. I’m so impressed. Awesome work done by a skillful artist!
Thanks so much, Vernon!
Sometimes you have to stop and listen to the wood tell you what it wants to be. This piece of wood was saying: Please just burn me. I’m glad you didn’t listen. Thanks for another beautiful journey.
Amazing work. Your recovery after it flew apart from the lathe is phenomenal and the repair work gave it so much character.
I'm so glad you never gave up. Absolutely beautiful
"You'll shoot your eye out!" Glad that you didnt get hurt during any of the explosive events! It's truly a beautiful work. Exquisite. I can see how much patience it must take to do this work.
Gotta give you props for salvaging this. Wasn't sure how you were gonna bounce back after the laith incident but you managed.
Never give up, never concede. Overcoming failure to realize incredible beauty. Bravo, I love the gold veining that resulted from the repair. Awesome
I'm currently using KZhead to learn how to use a lathe. I know that in a few years, I may have 1/10th of the skill and patience you demonstrated in this video. That is beautiful .
Fun fact: They say David is still out in his workshop somewhere. Most believe still under a pile of epoxy shavings. Legend has it, his wife sets food and water out there daily and the bowls are empty the next day. Sometimes the bowls are missing and a new stabilized resin/wood bowl is left in its place.
So glad you were not injured when that thing flew off the lathe. Your skill, creativity, perseverance, and your art never cease to amaze me.
The finished product was fantastic. Remember, we learn much more from our failures than we ever do from our successes.
I cannot imagine your mood after the first burst, I would've rise my hands; but not you, your inventive and patience simply won me. You have my absolute respect and I praise your artfullness. Love from Israel.😊
Props for showing us the warts and all video and especially the fixes you performed. Looks gorgeous in the end.
Cheers Mykel!
You are a master, to fix a desaster. What a great job !!!!!!
You fought the log and the log lost. I would have used it to make a fire in my firepit when it broke apart. Nicely saved. It is a beautiful piece.
Those fracture lines definitely give it more character but I don't blame you for not wanting to go through that mess again. It turned out beautiful! Thank you for not giving up. ☺️
Final product is beautiful. Just enough gold to enhance, not detract. Glad you stuck with it. Those pine knots are a pain. Well done.
Thanks Doug.
Complete and utter chaos. Mayhem. What did you do to deserve the total and unrelenting enforcement of Murphy's Law, David? Spills, oozing, fire, explosions.... and in the end, of course, it was still gorgeous. Congratulations, David Adamsen. You're not only an artist, you're also a magician, sir.
Cheers, Lucy!
This is not just Murphy’s Law… this was an example of… Murphy's Quantum Law: Anything that can, could have, or will go wrong, is going wrong, all at once.
IE Murphy was a optimist!
I truly admire your patience and drive to keep pressing on. I know it had to be frustrating but it is truly beautiful ❤
While the original design would have still been insanely beautiful, the fact that you kept it and fixed it the way you did gives it so much more character. Very nice work friend.
It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears but look how you were able to show the world her true beauty ❤️
Amazingly, the repaired fractures actually enhance the eye-appeal of this beautiful one-of-a-kind example of eye candy. Your outstanding effort achieved an outstanding result, David! 👍
You had so many issues with this one. Credit to you for your stick-to-it attitude. I likely would've thrown in the towel when it broke off. Kudos David.
Despite everything, it has become a beautiful vase David. You prove once again that adversity can be overcome! Fantastic the way you show that an accident can be turned into something beautiful.
I've thought about doing something like this but I will think again after watching this! Great job 👍
Sometimes things actually do go according to plan, and sometimes when things go wrong it's ok to put it aside and move on. Cheers!
The results were wonderful.👍 It is a very pretty vase. I was thinking as I was watching this, that this was like "reality tv" for woodturners. 😊
Cheers, Lynn!
Your skill as an artist is only matched by your determination to succeed. I just finished restoring a car that everyone said was impossible to restore due to the model and condition. Several friends said l was being hardheaded. I'm sharing this video with them because like you sir l hate giving up. Beautiful vase!
Thanks so much for sharing that as well. Never give up! 💪
You are a miracle worker!!! AMAZING how you were able to save that geogeous vase and make it look like nothing ever happened... UNBELIEVABLE ❤
Unbelievable! If I hadn't watched it with my own eyes no one would have ever convinced me that you went through the process that you did to create this piece. You are the master of patience and solutions.
It turned out absolutely gorgeous even after all the issues you had
Thanks Angela!
Well now David what can i say????? Thank you for one amazing peace of workmanship, it is stunningly beautiful, you can be proud of yourself,
Your work is scary good!!! Beautiful! And the fact that you didn't abandon the project makes it even better! Bravo!
I gotta hand it to you, David, you stuck with it through hell and high water. The turning ended up being an amazing piece. I still stand by saying you are one of the finest wood turners around.👍👍👍👍👍
Cheers John! I appreciate that!
Sometimes, we have to make "unexpected modifications," as one woodworker said in the comments, and I have lived by it for all my work.
💯
@DavidAdamsen BTW, when it comes to pine sap, it's best to let it seep through until it stops. Personally, to me, it gives it character. It is similar to how a cut stops bleeding. Another good thing about it is that it fills in cracks by itself.
Your perseverance really paid off. So glad you decided to continue working it despite the difficulties. It's a piece to be proud of!
Amazing level of patience. Beautiful outcome; disaster averted. 😊
Michaelangelo meets Picasso meets Hand Grenade meets Doh!!
😎
What an ordeal, but what a piece! I think it's beautiful, and I think the fact the colors all blended together turned out for the best in the end 👍👍👍
Thank you!
@@DavidAdamsen it was really interesting how the stump had this roots/branches growing off at such symmetrical spacing, I wonder how that happened.
Wow. Glad you didn't give up. Came out so beautiful.
Wow that is stunning! You are extremely gifted and persistent in your work.
My goodness me, the patience you must have. The end result is amazing though, I couldn’t cope with all the mess and so many set backs, so much admiration to you. 😊
You are absolutely amazing. The Bob Ross comments certainly apply. Not giving in to frustration is a fabulous personality trait. Thank you for each and every video!!!
Thanks Mary!
I love how it shows the broken pieces more on the inside than the outside. It's like a person...often we judge from what we see on the outside never realizing their beauty comes from the broken pieces on the inside. This is stunning. Thank you for sticking with it and showing a different side to humanity (figuratively soeaking)
Even with all the ups and downs… you still were able to make a beautiful creation.
Brilliant save. That was so heartbreaking when it fell, but you stuck with it and it turned out beautifully. Shows what experience can do. And, you may not have got colour separation but the resin is gorgeous!
😂 the single most uncooperative turning I have ever watched! The grit and determination was impeccable and the end result is amazing, great vid👍🏻. I would like to say you never have to go through that again but the content was awesome 👏
You saved it!! I will never complain about my failures again. Well done. Thanks for the fun.
Congratulations on finishing aTRYING project. The effort produced a beautiful work of art. I enjoyed the video.
Even though you had a bad time with this vase...It came out excellent! I Love It!!!
Thanks Donnie!
Man! What a patience and what an artist! I would've given up when it cracked... Keep the awesome work! And keep'em vids flowing
Thank you, Oscar!
When my favorite turner experiences this kind of disappointment, I feel I am not alone when my work flies into pieces. You just don't give up on those wrecks. Nice fix Adam!
You don’t need me to tell you good you are - but Damn, you are amazing. What fantastic art you create.
Amazing! The combination of your patience and unbelievable talent produced an absolutely stunning work of art.
This project just didnt want to be made but to your credit, you didnt give up! Its pretty!
Thanks!
Absolutely gorgeous, your talent is impeccable 👌
Thanks for sharing the ‘mishap’ and congratulations for not giving-up! It turned out very beautiful.
Wow... That must have been a huge fun to recast and remake the vase. Gorgeous result...
Oh my! That is truly beautiful!! I’m so happy that you didn’t scrap the project because you created something even more beautiful. The resin colors blended well and the wood grain shows gorgeously. What an artist you are! Incredible talent!
The first urn was glorious; the Rapid Unplanned Disassembly was spectacular; the determination you showed was inspirational. Fabulous project piece. Well done. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!
Some days never go your ways but look at it , it's amazing to think it took you all that time for perfection . ❤
That is some serious determination! You never give up, you just find another way to make it beautiful.
David, I think this is one of your most amazing projects yet. It takes a true and a humble artist to create something with real beauty. This bowl is even more incredible because of how hard you worked to save it! Thank you for sharing the process, frustrating as it must have been--it is so much more inspiring when things don't quite go to plan, but still somehow turn out better than before, than if there was never any struggle at all. Well done!!
Thank you, I really appreciate that! ❤
What an effort but so worth it! Absolutely beautiful!
You deserve the "Wile E. Coyote award" for perseverance. Beautiful result. Thank you.
Never say die. I admire your commitment to that project. Nicely done!
I'm so impressed you stayed with it to create something beautiful.
Nice job! You did an amazing job repairing it and coming back. Glad you didn’t get hurt! Keep em coming.
A truly astounding piece of work, not only with respect to the finished piece, but also to the absolute refusal to give up after each disaster ... inspirational 👍
I like how you took the driftwood and saw what it could become. You picked a great shape for the vase.
shit piece of wood though
David, I am a big fan of yours. Your work is truly inspirational. I watch your videos religiously and you have been a big help with my wood turning. Thank you so much for posting videos such as these.
Cheers David! That means a lot! I still have a lot to learn.
@@DavidAdamsen hello David, again…. 🤣 Question. #1. The bowl gouge that you used on this video and many others, is that an Irish grind on a 5/8 bowl gouge? Reason being is that I have a 5/8 bowl gouge and a Tormac T8 and am having a hard time sharpening this gouge evenly on both sides of the gouge. Not a good thing. Also, do you have a gallery located in Maine? Thank you again. David
Your determination and patience, and ability to recover, are inspiring.
That 'accident' turned out extremely well :-) Beautiful piece!
What a heart breaker, but you didn't give up and made a unique and beautiful piece. You earned my sub.
Kintsugi for the win! Turned out even more beautiful than you originally planned. Next time you run into the pine sap thing, try saturating the area with acetone. I've had that happen a few times before on turnings and even furniture. I absolutely saturate the area with the pine sap seepage in acetone and it dissolves it even down in the wood. You have to keep applying it but it eventually gets enough sap that it stops coming up. At least it's worked for me in the past.
Thanks for the tip!!
Even after all the problems you had it turned out to be a stunning piece. Bravo!
Living proof that even a FAIL isn't necessarily a complete loss. It's all perspective and attitude! Great work!
Great recovery of your hard work.... Art is never as easy as it looks! Nicely executed 🌟
Okay, so how many times did you shut everything down, go in the house and contemplate selling everything and quitting before you finished this one? 🤣 There are those projects that fight the craftsman tooth and nail from start to finish. Great save on this one!
I never contemplate quitting.
What an excellent recovery 👏, our hearts sank when you cut the vase off the lathe, and it shattered everywhere 😢. Your perfect skills recovered your project and finished with an outstanding presentation 👏. Well done on a beautiful finish 👏.
You are truly an artist. My father did beautiful wood work, anything from boat building, beautiful furniture, inlaid tables, marquetry, etc. Consequently, I truly admire fine craftsmanship. You have it!
I'm still getting my head wrapped around how much paitence and frustration that you had to go through into this piece. I understand how much of a headache it must of been to have it brake when it was almost finished, only to go back to the drawing board again with epoxy resin to fill in the broken shards in. Kuddo's to you for pushing through and making this absolutely beautiful piece!
Thank you!
You are a genius! Stunningly stupendous!! ❤
Not sure about the genius part, but thanks!
You have more patience than I will ever have. What an amazing and beautiful creation. Thanks for sharing.
Love the Kintsugi-like makeover! Now it‘s not only a gorgeous vase but a gorgeous vase with its own story of a fulfilled life. Great work.
Beautiful work, David! It turned out amazing in the end! 😃 I only hope you didn't get hurt when it broke!!! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Wow, that turned out to be quite the odyssey/fiasco/adventure! Yet, still came out as something beautiful!
Thanks John!
This is by far my favorite epoxy-wood creation video on the internet. A brilliant story about perseverance topped off beautifully with the sap still oozing in the final reveal shots as if to set up a sequel 😂 this was cinema 👏
Wow, thank you! I really appreciate that!
Watching this video was encouraging. Just before coming across it, I had a resin mold leak inside my pressure pot. Unfortunately, the leaked resin had cured beyond recovery and became a nightmare clean up scenario. the mold was still about 2/3 full so I mixed up more resin and repoured the top third and put it back in the pot. Cured fine, but when I went to turn it, there were all kinds of bubbles in the part of the original casting. I ended up having to turn it down to a fraction of its originally intended size. Not to be discouraged, in an effort to be creative with the remaining material, I decided to hand carve a spiral pattern in the stem of what was not a small goblet(?). I was able to complete that part but in trying to do some final touches, the piece snapped in half on the lathe. Tossed it in the trash out of frustration but came back the next day. glued it back together and somewhat salvaged it. A good lesson in persistence and salvage. It was later that day that I came across this video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Peter! Never give up!
Way to persevere, I would have called it quits.
What clever and smart way to save a unique piece! As always your work turns out beautifully.
With that much resin coming out, that could have been a huge chunk of fatwood! So much work went into that, great job.
Incredible save Dave. I said "Oh no!" out load when it flew off. Totally impressed wig your solution. Pine is a bugger.