On Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 8:30:33 AM UTC-5, Jack wrote:
On 9/11/2015 6:52 PM, Meanie wrote:

The main focus is using these maple branches to practice even if they
aren't the correct wood for handles. After turning that first handle and
reading all the replies including yours (obviously), you are dead on. I
just left that handle sitting next to the lathe and it's slightly warped
and very fine checks on each end. I have another branch I am in the
middle of turning but left it since last weekend and it is also slightly
warped. The third branch is cut to size but still barked and waiting.
I'm trying the masking tape trick to see how that goes.

It's interesting to learn how this works. I just wish I had different
types of trees to try and experiment with as well. I'll have to hunt for
harder trees which may have fallen somewhere. Though, I still have a few
good size logs of Black Walnut (4" to 14" dia sizes) which I saved for
over a year now, when it was removed from the property where I work. I
sealed the ends and they still look good. I will eventually cut them
into the handles after practicing with the Silver Maple.

Silver Maple is perfect for lathe, chisel and file tool handles. Walnut
is better saved for other things, like cutting boards, small boxes, trim
inlays and that sort of stuff. Not that it wouldn't make good handles,
just it's a little special for a utilitarian handle. I made my daughter
a nice wedding goblet with the captured rings out of a "firewood" black
walnut log. I like mixing maple, cherry and walnut in cutting boards.
Gives them a nice traditional look.

When taping the ends of your blanks, remember it takes about a year per
inch to dry wood, maybe less if cut in the fall, early winter. I have a
box full of wood blanks of all sizes I keep. Some pieces are 40 years
old. I would guess most anyone with a lathe has the same box:-). If
you ever go to a woodworkers store like Rockler and price little turning
blocks, you will instantly know why a nice looking hunk of firewood is
worth saving.

Turning bowls, lamps, is most fun with green wood, the greener the
better. Lot's of techniques posted on here for drying. I used to melt
paraffin wax all over the rough turning and that worked. I'd try the
paper bag thing I think. If you get checks, even big ones, you can mix
epoxy and saw dust, or a variety of things and sometimes get result
better than if they weren't there.

--
Jack
Add Life to your Days not Days to your Life.
http://jbstein.com

You can also build one of these bad boys. Your drying time will be cut down from months to weeks. That's my plan for the fall and I'm sticking to it.

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects.../wood_kiln.htm