Aug 2016 Mtg

The topic for our August 2016 meeting was " From the Tree to The Lathe".  It was about looking a a piece of wood and then deciding what we can make form the particular chunk of wood.  Members were encouraged to bring in wood that they were having trouble seeing the art inside.  Most who brought wood brought burls,probably because most of us struggle seeing what we can do with a burl.

The discussion was led by Steve Promo and Gary Weiermiller.  Gary and Steve did a great job of showing us how to evaluate a piece of wood and visualize the shaped we can get from them.  After a brief "chalk talk" led by Gary, it was outside to play with chainsaw.

Some pictures are below, starting with the show and tell table.  Notice in the pictures from the show and tell table, 2 of the drums that Steve Promo stated working on at our last meeting, which was held in his shop.  I think you will agree the look pretty spectacular.

Recent Work

Every time I go over to my bandsaw, I look at a small aspen crotch that has been there for a couple of years.  So I just decided that I need to turn something out of it or burn it for firewood.  

I ran it through the bandsaw cutting it in two halves, just off center from the pith, so that one side just included the pitch.  I turned the narrower half first, shooting for a heart shaped piece.  No feathering of the grain to speak of, but I wasn't expecting any from this side of the log.  

The other side did have some feathering and I think the figure is pretty nice.  

Below are the two turnings.  The heart shaped one is about 7 1/2" across and 1 5/8 " high. The other bowl is 6 1/2" wide and 2 3/4" high.  They were both finished with Watco Danish Oil.