Cherry Rim Plates

In general I really dislike sanding.  So, I find more often than not I end up looking for another solution to finishing a surface than spending hours sanding away in a dusty room.  And carving is a great way to finish a surface after rough turning on the lathe.  It takes a bit of time, but the result is a richer surface with more character.

These plates have been carved inside and out.  The top edge of the rim, and the bottom of the plates have been smoothed with planes and lightly sanded.  Making for a pleasing combination of smooth and textured surfaces.

Linseed Oil Finish

After carving I applied a heavy coat of linseed oil.  Linseed oil is a slow curing oil, that will help protect the wood from water and food stains.  Each plate is supplied with a small tin of beeswax and linseed oil mix, making it easy to occasionally re-freshen the surface.