Since there is huge variation in the pores within birch, I want to add that there are no missed spots nor pooling of stain that was left to drip. This is simply how Birch takes stain. The finishing coat (oil, poly or paste wax) has not been done yet, so everything looks dull and scratchy at this point.
Wheel (first coat of stain only). A second coat will calm it down. Both sides...
Edited to add Wheel Section - 2nd coat calmed it down. Photo makes it look more vibrant than it is without the oil finish coats, but this photo might be more how it'll look with the oil. It is not this red, however. Photo also does not show the birch blotching or the grain variations. I'm finding that photos of wood details are only a general idea.
The base piece, shot with sunlight reflecting on it - this looks more red than it is. Puritan Pine has more yellow-tone to it, which normally I wouldn't like, but it works on this machine.
The base piece, shot in the shade. Though harder to see, this is actually closer to the color.
Small pieces, footmen and flyer. Note some simply did not take the stain much at all. These tend to be the flat (sawed) pieces. The turned pieces take it significantly more and less predictably.
Unfortunately the treadles are flat, smooth pieces. They have almost no variation in the wood and barely took the stain at all. However I'm going to wear shoes for a while, I wouldn't mind some skuffing up.
Close-up of one of the small pieces. It is nowhere near as red-toned as it appears in the photo, however this is an example of a high intake of stain on birch turned pieces.
This does NOT have the final Briwax finish on it yet
Legs. The legs have way more wood grain variation in person, plus some of the porosity blotching that doesn't show here. They are also lighter in color than shown in the photo, though again, the hand-rubbed oil treatments might make them look very similar to this photo.
Bobbins - One has 2 coats, one has 1 coat. Not oil-finished yet, of course.
