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[Yorkie]

You've done really well with the whole project Colin. As we both know, it's one thing making several items which look similar, it's quite another to make them look identical, and think you've done a splendid job on the knobs. As anyone who's used it will testify, oak is the very devil to work. You need really sharp tools which blunt again in the blink of an eye, and when it comes to woodturning, the grain is so open that it's difficult to get a good finish. The burnt rings look great - I've used the burning wire you kindly gave me several times to good effect, and I have to admit to finding the smell of the smoking wood rather agreeable, just as I do the smell of spirit-based pens. It's not an addiction you understand - it's all under control, but it's one of life's simple pleasures- small things excite small minds!

Sanding sealer is as good as anything for closing the grain of oak. Production turners and those in a hurry tend to use cellulose sanding sealer as it dries quicker than shellac sanding sealer, but shellac takes only a minute or two anyway, and what's the big rush? Depending on the turned item and its size, many woodturners will give a coat of sanding sealer, then sand again, and apply friction polish such as 'speed 'n eeze' followed by burnishing cream then speed 'n eeze again. Friction polish relies on the heat generated by the cloth to which it's applied, to melt the polish and give a smooth gloss finish (which isn't universally liked in woodturning circles). You have to be careful with thin-walled bowls and such like because too much heat can crack the wood. Also, on larger bowls (10" or so), you can't generate enough heat to melt the polish.

Examples of friction polish and burnishing cream:

http://www.stilesandbates.co.uk/browse.p...10/level/4

http://www.stilesandbates.co.uk/search.p...hing+cream&submit.x=25&submit.y=14

Not cheap but it lasts for ages - just a few spots on a cloth will do a 6" diam bowl for example.

As to woodturning chucks, the basic chucks aren't too expensive - it's all the add-on jaws for different applications that ramps up the price.

The Sorby 'Patriot' chuck was a reaction to other makes who unwisely outsourced their production facilities to China. It's made in the UK (for the time being at least) as are Axminster chucks. This site explains all the add on jaws:

http://www.poolewood.co.uk/acatalog/copy...Chuck.html

Many woodturners - particularly professionals - use a vacuum chuck for faceplate work. (No good for your knobs though).

The more inventive and practically minded make their own vaccum chucks - a DIY project which would be right up your street Colin!

Thanks for going to so much trouble to leave off time and againColin to take pics and update the thread as you've progressed towards completion.