1st Bowl Turned

Mooseherder · December 23, 2010, 05:47:26 PM

Quote from: northwoods1 on December 23, 2010, 06:55:14 AM

Help please educate me somebody... :D does mahogony grow in Florida or where mooseherder is? If so what kind of mahogony?

Here is a lil story of the Mahogany we can grow down in South Florida.
It's time for me to update that thread with some growth pictures soon.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,24575.0/all.html

northwoods1 · December 23, 2010, 07:01:27 PM

Quote from: Mooseherder on December 23, 2010, 05:47:26 PM
Quote from: northwoods1 on December 23, 2010, 06:55:14 AM

Help please educate me somebody... :D does mahogony grow in Florida or where mooseherder is? If so what kind of mahogony?

Here is a lil story of the Mahogany we can grow down in South Florida.
It's time for me to update that thread with some growth pictures soon.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,24575.0/all.html

Well that is really interesting! :D

I haven't finished reading that thread yet, but I sure will. Looks like the wood you have is fairly fast growing. I am wondering does it seem very hard?

Lud · December 24, 2010, 08:12:38 AM

Those look good!

You know you can make the ladies happy by giving them your wood bowls. I haven't met a woman yet who doesn't appreciate good wood bowls.

metalspinner · December 24, 2010, 09:44:56 AM

There is also lots of other stuff growing down there. Any fruit tree has beautiful wood - sometimes very dense.

Mooseherder · January 02, 2011, 08:05:38 PM

Got the garage clean today as planned and decided to get it dirty again. ;)
This time the Bowl deserved a lid. My daughters got the last 2 bowls.
I think they'll want lids on theirs also. This one is for my wife.

The Plastic Fan that cools the motor as come apart. It is the type that looks like a paddle wheel and just rides on the back of the shaft. I had to finish the job and let the motor cool down after a few minutes of turning. Here is a picture with the cover off. Do you know if these plastic fans are available?
If not, I'll turn one. ;D

SwampDonkey · January 05, 2011, 09:47:06 PM

Lids are a nice addition to a bowl, especially the ones hiding the candy. ;D

Mooseherder · January 05, 2011, 09:51:58 PM

The lid has warped some but I don't mind.
Gives it some character. Besides this is kinda like therapy, or practicing it. :D
I've got to learn to dry though for some of the future masterpieces. ;D
My junk drawer in da garage may have something for me to put on the end of the shaft to cool the motor some.
I'll fabricate sumpthin this weekend.

SwampDonkey · January 06, 2011, 04:38:47 AM

Yeah, I found that beech not air dried down to 12-16% shrinks a lot across the grain giving a nice warped bowl. That beech bowl didn't split, but it would remind you of your first bowl turned on a clay turning table. :D 8) I knew it would move, actually thought it would split apart.

Peter Drouin · January 23, 2011, 08:32:15 PM

[img] http:// 8) 8) One I tried :D :D

jim king · January 23, 2011, 08:42:35 PM

I have no experience there but I believe that Big Leaf mahogany was planted there long ago as ornimentals "Swietenia mahagoni" and Cuban Mahogany is natural to the Keys.

Peter Drouin · January 23, 2011, 08:44:59 PM

The 1 and2 are soft maple and 3 is cherry just fooling around :D :D :D

Peter Drouin · January 23, 2011, 09:03:11 PM

some I have cut ahead :D :D

Mooseherder · January 23, 2011, 09:29:11 PM

Very nice Bowl and collection Peter.

My last 2 are destined for firewood.

SwampDonkey · January 24, 2011, 05:59:24 AM

Pete, better get turning. :D ;D

Those red/silver maple blocks and bowls have some interesting heart stain. 8)

WDH · January 24, 2011, 09:52:22 AM

Peter,

What species are you favorites? If I was to saw some bowl blanks for local wood turners, what would you (and others) advise?

Burlkraft · January 24, 2011, 10:08:06 AM

Quote from: WDH on January 24, 2011, 09:52:22 AM
Peter,

What species are you favorites? If I was to saw some bowl blanks for local wood turners, what would you (and others) advise?

Figured blocks are the best ;D

Burls are better. Any burl will do, maple, cherry, redbud, redwood, yellow cedar, walnut, pecan, mesquite...you get the picture :D :D

You had better send me a few and I will test them and report back to you! ;D ;D

Mooseherder · January 24, 2011, 11:39:18 AM

Here is my inventory of possiblities.

metalspinner · January 24, 2011, 10:26:02 PM

QuoteIf I was to saw some bowl blanks for local wood turners, what would you (and others) advise?

WDH,

Crotch wood is always a beautiful choice. Some woods hold together better than others, but I have never had luck with oak crotch. Maple, cherry, and especially walnut behave well. Sometimes I try to seal up the crotch figure with anchorseal, but often times will just take a chance.

The out of the ordinary is always interesting. Odd-ball species like mulberry, redbud, dogwood, etc are always fun to show off. A game played by most turners is to confound your friends as to the species of your bowl.

Then they immediately ask, "Where did you get it."

Lud · January 27, 2011, 07:25:19 AM

I cut a lot of turning blanks and I cut them round on the bandsaw. I made 1" wide rings out of old plywood and attach to the block with 2 screws for a cutting guide; also my hands are safer. I date them and mark species with marker and seal cuts to end grain with Anchorseal. Those corners get collected and are prized by the woodstove crowd.

Cutting blanks round gives a cleaner, trimmer block that takes less wax to seal and dries quicker. The data cuts the guessing down in the future.

The problem is the outreach to turners. I'm thinking of outreach to local turning clubs would be worthwhile. If they come to you , like what they see, and fill up their trunks with dollar a pound blanks, they will save on shipping . Got your own website?

I'm not going to try selling door to door!

SwampDonkey · January 27, 2011, 07:51:47 AM

Good advise lud. You couldn't do it door to door in these parts, they are scarce as hen's teeth and the well advertised fellows do their own wood. It would have to be a real special piece for them to buy, the rest of the ordinary stock would sit on the shelf.

Peter Drouin · January 29, 2011, 09:32:53 PM

Yes any odd wood or special wood and any kind .some wood I think is junk someone loves it ?? .I dont know. Im just doing outher things with the WM. like 6 side lite post. or gunstock post for old barns 8) 8) 8)

Mooseherder · February 08, 2011, 10:11:35 PM

We picked up some Olive tree wood on the side of the road after asking the guy for permission.
Turns out it was the City who had cut the tree down because they'll be widening the turning lane. It was a monster. It had a lot of Carpenter ants in it but I brought my lil Homelite XL and cut a few pieces to try and turn.
This bowl is #4 and I broke the Lathe belt last night while gouging inside the bowl. Tried to get a belt at 3 different stores today with no luck. I improvised with some of this small blue rope and a trusty ol' Butcher knot. ;D
I got to finish digging the innerds, sanded and finished with walnut oil.
It's going north to Georgia for a Birthday present. ;)