Mad Man makes toothpicks

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Weird Wood Pusher
Joined
Jun 13, 2011
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I was cutting snakewood the other day and things were not going well.
In a short time I became mad (can be taken either way).
So I did what any good woodworker would do;
I blamed the wood and threatened to turn it into tooth picks.
The results...
tp001.jpg


Now I am going to take them home and use them as spears for finger food.
 
Great idea! You could sell those on Etsy!
 
Great work Mark!

Chopsticks in some of the custom woods would be popular I bet.
I have seen some cool ones guys have made out of G 10 and micarta...
 
Great idea! You could sell those on Etsy!
Nope, they are going home with me.

One other time when I was in a weird mood I made about a dozen sets of chopsticks.
I put them in one of our galleries and they all sold right away.
Seems they kept getting bought by women who were using them in their hair.
 
What happened to the sheath wood????
 
I'll take your next set of chopsticks. :)
 
What happened to the sheath wood????
Too many scattered checks and flaws. All I was able to get were some sets of scales and a few blocks.
Hence the frustration.

Nice. You make these on a lathe?
No, these were a few minutes shaping freehand on a stationary belt sander. Around here "lathe" is a bad word, like "normal". We don't use the "N" word around here.

I'll take your next set of chopsticks. :)
They might be kind of funky looking but I will put a set in the mail soon.
 
I can't imagine using one that is running around...
Your comment reminds me of a story.
One time I was at my work bench sanding with a hand held belt sander and I kicked the circuit breaker for the power strip.
My boss came walking over to see what I was working on.
Since it was obvious I was running too much off the one power strip I unplugged a couple items.
Then I hit the reset button.
The belt sander ran across the work bench and flew about 10 feet through the air barely missing my boss. It pulled the plug and stopped.
When I lost power the trigger for the belt sander was locked into position. I had forgotten to unlock it before restoring power.
My boss gave me a look, to which I replied "it might not be safe for you to be hanging around here".
Good thing I wasn't using an extension cord. I would have been chasing that sander all over the place.
 
I could see that one coming! (or going)
 
There is some really nice figuring on some of those toothpicks.
 
Since TK volunteered, he gets to be the official chopstick field tester.
I got started then thought a fresh cup of coffee would help wash down the sawdust.
sw001-2.jpg


Now, back to the grindstone.
 
Those might benefit from a little sliming..........
 
Since TK volunteered, he gets to be the official chopstick field tester.
I got started then thought a fresh cup of coffee would help wash down the sawdust.
sw001-2.jpg


Now, back to the grindstone.

Hey, I'll volunteer.
 
Mmhh, I was looking at cut-offs the other day, wondering what to do with them... Not sure I dare doing that on a fixed speed sander, bit it's a neat idea. Looking forward to seeing your collection of chopsticks from every wood available :)

Stefan
 
I didn't know I was going to make the chopsticks.
Been working on the website all day and needed a break.
So when TK made his comment, I thought what the heck, I'll make a pair.
Good way to wind down the day.

Getting closer.
sw002-2.jpg


Not sure how slim to go with the tips.
Right now the tips are 1/8"
 
I think that 1/8 is just fine. Don't want to get too fragile, now!
 
I think they are about done now.
sw005-1.jpg

No finish on them yet. Not sure whether to wax, oil or.....?
sw006-1.jpg
 
Awesome.

Now for some BurlSource kanji :D... or, a pattern grooved perimeter near the top for improved purchase.
 
Nope, they are going home with me.

One other time when I was in a weird mood I made about a dozen sets of chopsticks.
I put them in one of our galleries and they all sold right away.
Seems they kept getting bought by women who were using them in their hair.

To think I've been using plastic chopsticks in my hair.

These would really stand out against the grey if you get in the mood to make more...:biggrin:
 
Damn! Love the toothpicks and chopsticks. Hope you make more! Great score TK.
 
Neat! :D

LoL I have no experience with woodworking, but something you get fun results out of frustration.

I've had to make cookie cake a few times, because the cookie dough was too runny to do anything with. :)
 
If we piss Mark of enough do you think I can get a dresser?
 
Don't listen to the Pesky Monkey.
He is a bad influence.

I am going to make a batch of chopsticks.
Price will be based primarily on the time it takes to make them.
If some look way cool, they will be a few bucks more than any that are ugly.
 
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