I don't think what you have there is a burl but a branch which was
broken off and healed over. The thing of interest to me, though, is
that the pith is way off-center. If it is off-center on the other end,
then I'd cut it through the pith, perpendicular to a line from the pith
to the branch. That will give you a pretty good sided blank for a
hollow form turned in either direction. Or you could get a pretty deep
bowl or maybe a natural edge bowl. Also, I'd do it soon.

Bill

Jimbo wrote:
Hi All,

I am looking for some suggestions from you experienced green wood
turners on how to best cut this log and maximize the possible burl for
a bowl or two or three.

I know its kind of a wide open question as to what I am looking for as
an end result as I am not quite sure myself. I am new to this green
wood turning (well all turning actually) but I am getting a pretty
good feel for it.

The log is about 16" diameter and the tree was cut down about a month
ago. I made two bowls from it about 2 weeks back and they turned out
pretty good.

Amy ideas would be appreciated.

http://home.comcast.net/~keg1970/index.html

Jimbo

I am looking for some suggestions from you experienced green wood
turners on how to best cut this log and maximize the possible burl for
a bowl or two or three.

I know its kind of a wide open question as to what I am looking for as
an end result as I am not quite sure myself. I am new to this green
wood turning (well all turning actually) but I am getting a pretty
good feel for it.

The log is about 16" diameter and the tree was cut down about a month
ago. I made two bowls from it about 2 weeks back and they turned out
pretty good.

Amy ideas would be appreciated.

Grab a copy of Bill Gumbine's video and study it.
http://www.wonderfulwood.com/ Depending on the size of your lathe I'd
guess that you've got one big and one shallow bowl there, since the pith
is so far off center. You'll need some anchorseal or LDD as well.

Dave in Fairfax
--
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/
PATINA
http://www.patinatools.org

I think that a burl is a cancer-like growth. The cell growth is out of
control so you don't get the neat, lined-up orientation which is
necessary for trees to carry water and food to the leaves, but a random
orientation instead.

What causes cancer in animals? In many cases we don't know. Probably
the same is true for trees. Does anybody have any reference material on
this subject because I'm just guessing.

Bill

Jimbo wrote:
On Sat, 25 Jun 2005 03:38:26 GMT, Bill Rubenstein
wrote:


I don't think what you have there is a burl but a branch which was
broken off and healed over. The thing of interest to me, though, is
that the pith is way off-center. If it is off-center on the other end,
then I'd cut it through the pith, perpendicular to a line from the pith
to the branch. That will give you a pretty good sided blank for a
hollow form turned in either direction. Or you could get a pretty deep
bowl or maybe a natural edge bowl. Also, I'd do it soon.

Bill



Thanks Bill. You are correct as I look at it again. That brings me to
another question, what does cause a burl?

The pith is off center on the other end, just about the same distance.
I will give that some thought.. and yes I plan to get started in the
next day or two what ever may become of it.

Jimbo

Jimbo wrote:
I just got Mr. Bills video last week. Although I have only watched it
once. I know he shows a good way to do that I was just unsure becasue
the pith is so far off center. I think I'll watch it again before
cutting it. Learned a lot of things just the first time thru.

I have the Jet 1442-VS that I bought several months ago and have made
several smaller bowls which came out ok. Dave, are you in Fairfax CA?
I live east of Sacramento but sometimes get to the bay.

Bill's video shows how to cut a log with an off-center pith and why to
do it that direction rather than the direction talked about earlier.
It's a questions of warpage/cracking as it dries. Watch it a few more
times, but get that log out of the sun and seal the ends first. I'm in
VA, not CA, wrong coast. Part of the old Lord Fairfax estate, back when
the original George W was sleeping with Sally, Lady Fairfax.

Dave in Fairfax
--
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/
PATINA
http://www.patinatools.org

Jimbo wrote:

I live east of Sacramento but sometimes get to the bay.

Thanks for the tips.

Jimbo



How far east are you? I'm about one block east of Sacatomato.
Don

Jimbo wrote:
On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 15:29:43 GMT, Don Murray
wrote:



Jimbo wrote:


I live east of Sacramento but sometimes get to the bay.

Thanks for the tips.

Jimbo

How far east are you? I'm about one block east of Sacatomato.
Don


Its 50 miles to the Woodcraft store. I went there yesterday to buy a
new 1/2" bowl gouge.

Now if I can figure out how to get that grind used by Bill Grumbine in
his video.

I live on Hedge Ave, the cross street is Osage. I have about 350' of the
best osage orange trees left on Hedge Ave. If you would like some email
me directly.

Don

If we knew what caused burls.........we'd be growing 'em ourselves! :-)

Barry


"Jimbo" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 25 Jun 2005 03:38:26 GMT, Bill Rubenstein
wrote:

I don't think what you have there is a burl but a branch which was
broken off and healed over. The thing of interest to me, though, is
that the pith is way off-center. If it is off-center on the other end,
then I'd cut it through the pith, perpendicular to a line from the pith
to the branch. That will give you a pretty good sided blank for a
hollow form turned in either direction. Or you could get a pretty deep
bowl or maybe a natural edge bowl. Also, I'd do it soon.

Bill


Thanks Bill. You are correct as I look at it again. That brings me to
another question, what does cause a burl?

The pith is off center on the other end, just about the same distance.
I will give that some thought.. and yes I plan to get started in the
next day or two what ever may become of it.

Jimbo