I bought a 12x12x3 chunk of sapele from the hardwood store I go to in NH. After a lot of time on the chop saw I finally got it down to something my Rikon 70-220vsr lathe could handle. Lots of sharpening and a couple of days later, I was getting frustrated with the interior. It looked like I was trying to make a large threaded nut. Every tool was catching bowl gouge, scraper. I set the tools down and cut up a lot of 80 grit sandpaper and spent a lot of time sanding. Still a few toolmarks I didn't quite yet. My largest turn so far. Turned out nice, finished with Myland's friction polish.
