On Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:38:26 GMT, "Mark Jerde" wrote:

Could someone assist my googling? g Two days ago the power company
converted a walnut tree in our backyard to a pile of branches and a stack of
14" logs about a foot to a foot and a half long. I painted the ends of the
largest of the logs before running out of old paint.

Then I unpacked my new Harbor Freight (I know, I know) mini lathe and set of
starter lathe chisels and made three practice "Christmas Tree Ornaments"
from lengths of the branches. No finish was applied. This morning the two
that are under an inch in diameter are ok but the 2" diameter ornament is
badly cracked.

How does one successfully work with green wood? Strip off the bark and let
it sit a year?

In any case I'm not going to be able to turn all the wood so there are some
free-for-the-hauling walnut logs in Bowie, Maryland USA if anyone wants some
wood. Do the obvious to the email address.

-- Mark

A lot depends on your skill level and "tastes", Mark..
You might notice that most replies that you got addressed bowls, the most common
thing turned green..
I've never had luck with anything green that was spindle turned, maybe others
have..

Anyway, after trying to dry rough turned pieces, using about every method known
to man, I quit rough turning..

I turn green wood to final thickness, or maybe I should say thinness, and if it
will cooperate, I sand and apply an oil finish..
They very seldom crack, but they warp like hell.. which is something that I
happen to like and also seems to sell well..
Someone looks at a "banana split" dish and asked how the hell I carved it.. I
just say that I turned it and mother nature stretched it for me..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing