A Couple Of Turnings

Tree Feller · May 30, 2012, 11:46:03 PM

I hadn't turned anything in ages but had promised a bowl to a friend and got sorta forced into it. That bowl is rough-turned and drying but when I went to put it into my bucket of denatured alcohol for soaking, I found a Walnut Hollow Form that had been in there for who knows how long. It didn't take it long to dry so I finish turned it.

It's approximately 6" x 3" and finished with wipe-on poly.

The second one is especially for Magicman. I had a Sweetgum blank in the shop that was really dry so I also turned it. The resulting bowl is app 9" x 4" and finished with brushing lacquer. The pics don't do it justice as it turned out really nice. My eldest daughter claimed it immediately.

Dan_Shade · May 30, 2012, 11:57:56 PM

very nice

I enjoy turning, I have never made a bowl, though

Lud · May 31, 2012, 06:41:24 AM

Please explain "bucket of denatured alcohol" to the audience..........

A lidded bucket? To prevent cracking? Displaces moisture in the bowl?

Norm · May 31, 2012, 06:50:38 AM

Very nice work!

WDH · May 31, 2012, 07:23:30 AM

I love the way the growth rings swirl around on the walnut! Nobody ever said that figured sweetgum heartwood wasn't pretty :D.

Jemclimber · May 31, 2012, 07:42:55 AM

Nice bowls TF, I like your back drop too. It makes your bowls stand out.

Patty · May 31, 2012, 11:22:12 AM

Those bowls are beautiful! 8)

Tree Feller · May 31, 2012, 01:28:11 PM

Quote from: Lud on May 31, 2012, 06:41:24 AM
Please explain "bucket of denatured alcohol" to the audience..........

A lidded bucket? To prevent cracking? Displaces moisture in the bowl?

I use the "Dave Smith method" of drying my bowls and vessels. http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=turning&file=articles_473.shtml

It basically involves soaking the vessel in denatured alcohol for a few hours (I usually leave it overnight), wrapping it in brown paper and cutting a hole in the open side of the vessel. Drying time is reduced from 6 months to about 3 weeks. Cracking and checking is also greatly reduced although warping will still take place. Supposedly the alcohol displaces the water in the bowl and then the alcohol evaporates quickly when it is removed. I don't know about all the science behind it, I just know that it works for me.

I keep a plastic, lidded, 5-gallon bucket about 2/3 full of denatured alcohol for soaking turnings. The lid needs to have a seal so that the alcohol won't evaporate.

Large bowls require an even larger vessel. When a turning won't fit in my bucket, I place a heavy plastic garbage bag in a No. 2 washtub, set the turning in the bag and cover it with DNA (denatured alcohol).

Hope this and the link explains it.

T Welsh · May 31, 2012, 06:41:45 PM

I am jealous! Tim

Clam77 · May 31, 2012, 10:21:13 PM

Nice looking bowls!! The first pic of that sweetgum bowl makes it look almost translucent.. 8)

CHARLIE · June 01, 2012, 12:11:22 AM

Very nice job of turning the hollow form and the bowls. real Pretty!

thecfarm · June 01, 2012, 06:41:28 AM

Very nice looking bowls!!!

clww · June 01, 2012, 07:21:03 AM

Super Gorgeous!

Magicman · June 01, 2012, 08:10:53 AM

Very nice indeed, especially the Sweetgum.

Burlkraft · June 01, 2012, 08:58:34 AM

Nice work TF 8)

I also like the sweetgum one.

You should prolly turn anudder one and send it to Majicman, I've heard he loves him some sweetgum :D :D

Tree Feller · June 01, 2012, 01:07:14 PM

Thanks for all the kind comments. You folks are too nice.

Glad you liked the Sweetgum, MM. ;D

Magicman · June 01, 2012, 05:21:42 PM

Not only was the Sweetgum bowl beautiful, it was Dead.

WDH · June 01, 2012, 09:22:06 PM

Cody (Tree Feller),

I have to take my hat off to you! A sawyer and a bowl turner, hmmmm. I have found sawyers to be level headed, logical, hard working people. I have found the bowl turners to be................., well nice :D.

Tree Feller · June 01, 2012, 09:31:24 PM

Level headed, logical, hardworking

One out of three ain't bad. :D

Cody

Burlkraft · June 02, 2012, 09:30:35 AM

Quote from: WDH on June 01, 2012, 09:22:06 PM
. I have found sawyers to be level headed, logical, hard working people. I have found the bowl turners to be................., well nice :D.

Hey!! I resemble that!!!! :D :D :D

WDH · June 02, 2012, 09:06:17 PM

Steve, you really are a nice guy ;D.

Tree Feller · June 02, 2012, 09:14:21 PM

I thought I already posted this...must be my oldtimer's kicking in.

I've had several small projects ongoing simultaneously in the shop, both turnings and semi-flatwork. Once I make a mess around the lathe, I like to keep going until I get the vortex satisfied for a while.

Anyway, this is one of the turned projects I've been working on. It's spalted Boxelder from a large chunk I bought off my firewood-selling neighbor across the street. The collar and finial are Walnut from a short 4x4 chunk I had in my cut-offs bin.

It's 9 3/4" tall and 3 1/2" at the widest point. Finish is 4 or 5 coats of WOP and then Beall buffed with all three wheels.

Magicman · June 02, 2012, 09:54:37 PM

You guys amaze me with your craftsmanship.

Patty · June 03, 2012, 10:28:31 AM

WOW! That is gorgeous!

samandothers · June 03, 2012, 08:57:12 PM

That Boxelder is fantastic. I think I am most amazed by the Sweet Gum. You are very talented as all 3 are fantastic. thanks for the lesson on drying too!