Can Cork Be Beautiful?

David Adamsen
David Adamsen
87,297
0
Published 2023-12-08
Cork is impermeable, which means liquid cannot penetrate it. I should have known that unprocessed cork would present some challenges, but I was not prepared for just how soft the cork actually was. When the customer approached me with the idea of using Portuguese cork in a project I was hooked, but I had issues sourcing the right sized cork rounds and ended up with way more than I needed. It was fortuitous, though, because I decided to start over with an entirely new casting. In the first casting, the colors mixed and lost their vibrance before the resin cured. I also discovered that my conveniently sized bucket was far too large for the final shape that I had planned. So, I was much more strategic in the 2nd casting. I decided to cast the vase and the base separately. In the first casting I had planned to part off a chunk for the base, which had required more resin and thus more risk of thermal issues in the resin. I also let the mixed and pigmented resin sit for about 18-20 hours before pouring. Thankfully, my shop stayed at about 50-60 degrees F the whole time. The result was ideal, and you can clearly see the green and red swirling together without mixing. I also had issues with resin leakage for both of the castings, and I remembered the Flex Paste trick championed by the one and only Cam Anderson of ‪@BlacktailStudio‬ which, of course, worked like a charm! The sphere was also a first, as I got to try out a new toy--the sphere jig, which will hopefully make more appearances. But I think the cork will get shelved until I figure out how to stabilize it properly. You might notice that I threw everything at this project with multiple coats of CA glue and penetrating epoxy. I quickly discovered why cork is used as bottle stops... it doesn't absorb liquid. Shocker, I know... So that dampens my excitement about using it in future projects, and it also instills doubt on whether stabilization would actually work, but I'm sure someone has figured it out. Perhaps the keen-eyed also noticed that the lip of the vase was actually quite wavy, which was caused by sanding. The soft cork basically disappeared under the sand paper but the resin, being quite hard, maintained it's shape. I ultimately had to embrace the chaos and allow the cork to be what it wanted. There was also a time crunch, as this piece was commissioned as a gift for someone for whom Portugal holds special significance. The shape of this piece was the product of some research into Portuguese pottery designs in combination with some of my own pedestal vase ideas. The shape was also inspired by a viewer who commented on a prior video of mine, lamenting that no one ever makes pedestal vases.

If you enjoyed the video, please smash that LIKE button and Share it with your friends! It really helps support my small business. Please drop a Comment below letting me know your thoughts. Also, thwack that Subscribe button so you don't miss any videos!

Thank you ‪@TotalBoat‬ for providing the epoxy used in this video:

TotalBoat Thickset Fathom Deep Pour Epoxy: www.totalboat.com/collections/epoxy-resins/product…
TotalBoat Tabletop Epoxy: www.totalboat.com/products/table-top-epoxy-crystal…
TotatBoat Clear UV Cure Resin: www.totalboat.com/collections/urethane-resins/prod…

Starbond's YouTube Channel: ‪@StarbondAdhesives‬
youtube.com/c/StarbondAdhesives/featured
Use Discount Code ADAMSEN15 for 15% all Starbond products!
Shop Starbond: bit.ly/3hf4oJO

My website and contact info:
www.adamsenwoodcraft.com/

Music:
www.epidemicsound.com/referral/45i3ed/

Follow me on Instagram:
@adamsen_woodcraft

See what's up on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/AdamsenWoodcraft

REFERRAL LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE:

Kutzall sphere rotary burr: amzn.to/3eQdWx6
Starbond Clear Thin CA glue: amzn.to/3z0sZdz
Starbond Clear Medium CA glue: amzn.to/3Bb6aqr
Starbond Clear Thick CA glue: amzn.to/3oqiXxE
Starbond Activator: amzn.to/3v9r8Ca
TotalBoat Penetrating Epoxy: amzn.to/3zr1MSH
TotalBoat Thickset Epoxy: amzn.to/3PtTkrw
TotalBoat Tabletop Epoxy: amzn.to/3oke5tQ
Carter & Son 5/8" Bowl Gouge: amzn.to/2G5YV5g
Crown Diamond Parting Tool: amzn.to/2NIqsOj
Tormek T-8 Sharpener: amzn.to/30D2iKA
Easy Wood Tools Carbide Cutter: amzn.to/3z6E6Db
Easy Wood Tools Carbide Cutter: amzn.to/3yH6JVN
All Comments (21)
  • @jude2360
    Awestruck watching your video ❤ Speechless opening my box ❤ Tear struck, knowing it was created, especially for me❣️ Thank you, David ❣️ Thank you, 🩵 Hannes❣️
  • @clockworktri
    As a reptile keeper, I saw all those cork rounds and was immediately jealous. The terrarium terrains I could build with that! My geckos would be royalty!
  • @jeffweese4551
    My first reaction was, "Oh, that looks like cork! This should be entertaining... and interesting." My thoughts were right, and it was - always enjoy your videos, thanks for sharing.
  • @katg2192
    "Can Cork Be Beautiful?" Given it's this channel, at 12 seconds into the vid I'm 100% sure that it will be beautiful. ❤
  • @stevegagnon4747
    I would love to have that first piece you started. I think it was gorgeous and would make a beautiful lamp
  • @beverleydrew8069
    That is STAGGERING!!! What on earth gave you the idea & did you envisage just how beautiful it would turn out😵‍💫 You are a fabulous artist! And the camera work was pretty impressive too.
  • @marciak9826
    Wow, that’s gorgeous! I’m sure your customer is thrilled with the piece!
  • @Lynn.Lawson
    You're half artist, half mad scientist. 😉 You take risks that in the end work out to become beautiful creations! 👏👏
  • @daniellamanna834
    Love your page mate. I’m gonna grab a lathe myself when I get a house and a garage. All the way from Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺
  • @lisawheeler53
    Persistence paid off! Way to work it until you get what you want. Hope the person who receives it truly enjoys it!
  • @CourtneyClark01
    That is beautiful. It may represent Portugal, but it has such a Christmas feel. Love it!
  • @jarmstrong2843
    I was wondering where you were going with the turning and whether it would turn out well. I like the color scheme and the finish. Everything seemed to work out well in the end. For a second, was not sure if cork would turn well. To my surprise with some resin, it did!!!! In the end, it turned out beautifully, David.
  • @keubekian
    The most beautiful piece I saw it till now ❤️
  • @rudlterranigma5386
    Very interesting project! I never thought in the first place that cork has these properties and I literally feel your hardships! Well made!
  • @candymatek3
    Absolutely gorgeous, beautiful work Mr. Adamsen
  • @Audie1234
    ❤❤Holy Freaking Cow! Lovely. So many intricate steps! You must have spent so much time and money creating this beautiful work of art. ❤❤❤