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Best way to turn this?

TurnedAround

TurnedAround

Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
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Location
Atlanta area
I would really appreciate your input on what would be the most attractive result for turning this uniquie piece of sweet gum I recently found in a fellas woodpile.

I hope the pix will give you enough info to make a good assessment.

I have a few ideas of my own, but haven't committed to them yet because I wanted some other opinions.

Thanks to all for the help,
Larry

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/Larry_Knight/IMG_1780.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/Larry_Knight/IMG_1779.jpg

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/Larry_Knight/IMG_1778.jpg
 
Hey Larry,

I'd recommend using a lathe.

No, really. What you have is a crotch. It will have either loads of figure or a distinct branch coming through the other wood. Possibly bark inclusions also. Can't really tell till the cut starts.

The two ways I'd consider turning it would be to cut right down the center of the log and through the centers of both branchings, leaving you with two Y shaped pieces of wood. This method would provide two bowl/platter/wide vase blanks and would give you a good sense of what you were dealing with. Natural edge bowls made like that will tend to be pretty funky and unique.

The other is to trim off the extra, center the crotch and the pith of the single end and turn a large vase of the whole piece. Big job and will warp like crazy but, once again, you could end up with a truly funky piece.

Just thought of a third way. Lay the log on it's side and cut out a cylinder including the interesting part. Turn a wide vase with this.

How's that?

Dietrich
 
I would want to turn a winged vase with this piece. Crotches with two branches are fairly common, but those with 3 or more that are somewhat the same location around the branch are hard to find and make for very nice looking natural-edge forms turned end-grain.

Here's one of mine, with just two branches:

http://www.woodturner.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=413
 
I'll second Dietrich's suggestion to use a lathe.... 😀

Seriously though, I'd turn that piece that your Sweet Gum Crotch is sitting on.

Lately I've been turning old junky looking stuff that looks on the outside as if you should just burn it - and getting some really nice stuff from it.

Here's another suggestion for your crotch wood. Cut it down the center of both branches and the main trunk as Deitrich suggests and make a winged bowl from it where the trunk and two branches create the wings.

I'll try to hunt down the picture I saw of this and post a link.


Well... I hunted, but didn't find what I was looking for. But here are some ideas:

This is similar to what I was thinking of, except for the curved wings:
http://www.turnwood.net/Photopost/showphoto.php?photo=854&sort=1&cat=all&page=1
This is also similar, but your crotch would be more pronounced:
http://www.turnwood.net/Photopost/showphoto.php?photo=711&sort=1&size=medium&cat=all&page=1
And the concept would be like this (natural edges and all) except there would be three wings, instead of two:
http://www.turnwood.net/Photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1668&sort=1&cat=all&page=1
 
Last edited:
verrrry interesting

if turnaround would make that 1st cut down the middle, post a picture of that and maybe get somemore instructions, or continue posting as he prepares this blank or blanks, i for one would be verrrry interested

the examples of work shown are something for us to aspire to thank yall for sharing 😀
 
wood

Larry....
The real answer is.....send it to me, I will turn it, and send you pictures!!!!!
Really...just get it set up in your lathe and go for the gusto!!!! That is what this wood thing is all about. Nature gave you a piece of wood... it is up to you to reveal the hidden beauty. Good luck, and post your results.
 
Large Crotch Piece

How long is the log?

What is the diameter?

It looks like you have several turning pieces there.

Example: 10 inch diameter. Cut the crotch piece 12-14 inches on the bottom leg of the Y and 10 inches up on each arm.

That gives you multiple pieces remaining. Coat the ends with wax type end grain sealer.

The split your crotch piece (the Y) into two pieces (two Ys). Plan your cut with the chain saw through the pith. Coat the end grain of and post a picture of the face grain where you sawed through the pith. Post the thickness at the thickest point of each piece.

Then we will have some good info on the actual crotch.

For the other pieces: Bowl blanks, squares, natural edge bowls etc. All sorts of possibilities.

John :cool2:
 
Thanks so much to all of you for the great information. I always get useful and beneficial advise when I ask for it on this forum.

I will certainly consider all the input with my own inclinations that have come from just occasionally looking at the piece.

You folks are a great resource for a turner with any level of experience.

Thanks again,

Larry.
 
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