On Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:44:41 -0800, Kevin Miller
wrote:

I never developed much of an interest in turning, but I've always
wondered how a burl like that is turned. Specifically, how do you
prevent it from cracking and breaking up completely while turning with
all the existing cracks and voids? I'm assuming, maybe incorrectly,
that there must be some type of violent vibration when a cutting tool
crosses a void or a crack.