Making a Recessed Wine Bottle Stopper
The resin colors are endless, between the Maple burl and the colored resin, each wine stopper is unique. It’s virtually impossible to make two wine bottle stoppers with the same colors!
I start by creating a hybrid blank which I make using Maple burl and colored resin. I cut the piece of maple burl and place it into a square mold and then pour in the colored resin. In about 7 days it is dry and is ready to turn. I really like using the Maple burl, you never know what colors and grain you will see once it is turned.
Then I will mount the blank to the lathe and start turning. Here are a few pictures of the process.
Once the wine stopper is turned and while still on the lathe, before applying the high gloss finish there is a lot of sanding to do. I will sand, starting at 150 grit then 180, 220, 240, 320 grit all the way to 12,000 grit.
I like a high gloss finish, in order for me to get the high gloss, I apply 40 to 50 coats of CA finish while the lathe is turning. CA is the short name for Cyanoacrylate glue, super glue. I apply a few drops of CA to a paper towel and while the lathe is turning I apply it to the stopper. Then I spray it with a accelerator that dries it instantly. I do this 40, 50 times or more until I am happy with the finish. Once the CA hardens it is very durable.
After the finish is done, I will then, buff and polish the stopper by hand. Then I mount the cork. It takes 24 hours for the glue to dry from installing the cork, then is it ready to use!!
A wood turned bottle stopper is a great accent to a good bottle of wine. I enjoy making my recessed wine bottle stoppers!
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