Got to play with some freshly cut Black Walnut branches - that
came with the bark, and some moss, on. Wet, the heartwood is
almost black and the sapwood is almost white. the contrast is
startling. The problem is that branches seldom grow nice and
straight and growth rings perfectly symetric around the pith.
Throw in some knots and some pin knots and things get really
interesting. Turning the piece becomes a hide and go seek
adventure filled with wonder - as in "I wonder which way
the heartwood around this knot runs?".

Anyway, what turned out, literally, was dictated by the
wood. I just listened when it yelled "STOP!"

Another one of those "Did I really make that?" things.

Definitely a keeper, even if it splits or cracks.

Have a look.

http://home.comcast.net/~charliebcz/.../Turning9.html

Fun stuff this woodworking thing. Turning is addictive
(and messy as hell!)

charlie b

In article ,
charlie b wrote:

The problem is that branches seldom grow nice and
straight and growth rings perfectly symetric around the pith.

I could be mistaken, but...

I don't believe branches can exist above a certain diameter with the
pith centered. The weight of the branch dictates that the growth will be
thicker on the bottom-side than the top to support it.

BTW, I very much like Black Walnut - one of my favorites and will always
hoard it when I can.

--
Owen Lowe

Northwest Woodturners,
Cascade Woodturners,
Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild
___
Tips fer Turnin': Pour your end-grain sealer into a clean, wide-mouth
clothes detergent bottle. The lid makes a handy dipping container for
your brush and the leftovers will drain back into the bottle when you
recap the jug.

I don't think that I have ever come across a tree where the pith is
centered in any part that I have cut into. Once I got a piece of osage
orange with the pith on the very edge of the round, I mean within a
quarter of an inch from the bark, and the round was oval, about 12
inches by 8 inches. Aint nature strange!
robo hippy

robo hippy wrote:

I don't think that I have ever come across a tree where the pith is
centered in any part that I have cut into. Once I got a piece of osage
orange with the pith on the very edge of the round, I mean within a
quarter of an inch from the bark, and the round was oval, about 12
inches by 8 inches. Aint nature strange!
robo hippy


Start with a tightly packed nursery tree. They seemed
to be conditioned to grow long straight branches - straight
up. Plant it in a somewhat horizontally confined space
and you'll get some long straight branches that have the
pith almost centered. I've got a few dozen of them pruned
from a fruitless plum that after a year of drying, make
great spindles, magic wands, and whatever else you
can turn from something a little over and inch
in diameter. Unlike walnut, which has very thick
bark, the bark layer is very thin, though hard on
cutting edges.

charlie b

On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 21:48:06 -0700, Owen Lowe wrote:

Tips fer Turnin': Pour your end-grain sealer into a clean, wide-mouth
clothes detergent bottle. The lid makes a handy dipping container for
your brush and the leftovers will drain back into the bottle when you
recap the jug.

That's an EXCELLENT tip!

Bill

Bill Grumbine's got one - use something like a Cool Whip container with a
hole (then sealed) cut in the top and a brush through the hole. It holds the
brush up while you're using it, then the lid seals to hold the stuff until
another time. He brushes just the end grain of a roughed out bowl so the
drying is more even.

I'm thinking of trying to use a larger MiracleGro container for a big brush
for my logs.

I've cut most of the side out (corner opposite handle) of a gallon milk
container (save the neck and handle) - used it conveniently for my big
brush - then just pour back in main container. That was real handy because
you had the handle to carry your stuff with.

TomNie

"W Canaday" wrote in message
news
On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 21:48:06 -0700, Owen Lowe wrote:

Tips fer Turnin': Pour your end-grain sealer into a clean, wide-mouth
clothes detergent bottle. The lid makes a handy dipping container for
your brush and the leftovers will drain back into the bottle when you
recap the jug.

That's an EXCELLENT tip!

Bill

Owen,

Logger just dropped two Black Walnuts on my property line!!! They're mine
now!

Breaking my heart to see all the wood on the ground. I want this one - wait,
that one too - wow, look at that one - etc. etc.

Do you know anything about Sourwood? Got a chance to get some. The leaves
are beautiful in the fall but the trunks go every which way. I'm wondering
what the grain's like.

TomNie


"Owen Lowe" wrote in message
news
In article ,
charlie b wrote:

The problem is that branches seldom grow nice and
straight and growth rings perfectly symetric around the pith.

I could be mistaken, but...

I don't believe branches can exist above a certain diameter with the
pith centered. The weight of the branch dictates that the growth will be
thicker on the bottom-side than the top to support it.

BTW, I very much like Black Walnut - one of my favorites and will always
hoard it when I can.

--
Owen Lowe

Northwest Woodturners,
Cascade Woodturners,
Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild
___
Tips fer Turnin': Pour your end-grain sealer into a clean, wide-mouth
clothes detergent bottle. The lid makes a handy dipping container for
your brush and the leftovers will drain back into the bottle when you
recap the jug.