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Cherry for Medium Bowls

blackhorse

blackhorse

Joined
Jan 27, 2005
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Is there any disadvatage to using cherry for a 12 inch bowl?

Joe
 
The green cherry I've worked with shrinks a lot. It seem stable once dry. It is very nice wood to work and polishes quite well. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for any size bowl.

- Scott
 
Yes there is a huge disadvantage. It is a horrible nasty wood and you should get rid of any that you have. I will be glad to store and use any that you need to get rid of. 😀 (trying to beat Dietrich on this one)
 
Sap Wood troubles

Joe,
I like cherry alot but a load I got last fall cracked in the sapwood. I had tried to make a save several blanks for natural edge bowls and they all broke. I have since re-roughed to remove the cracks and have several rough out that look like they will be fine.

I also have 3 cherry logs about 30" diameter and 5 feet long. Those I plan to take to a freind with a mill this spring to slab out the balnks. I hope to have less waste than with my chainsaw.

If the boys have scared you I too would happy to help you dispose of your troubles.

Frank
 
It's nice to have so many fellow turners who have only each other's wellbeing at heart 😛

Gee, thinking it was no good, I used up the cherry for kindling.

Sorry, guys, I would have GLADLY given that junk to any one of you. 😀

Joe
 
Do you have a direct line to the wood ferry 30" cherry logs ,good thing Guitar
makers are not hanging heavy here, Any time I got alog over 20 " My buddy who makes Guitar would be begging for it. Kinda like building dogsleds the usable wood out of any High grade log is @ 20% , but of course dog sleds are ash, But cherry makes really nice Guitars. I would not be suprised if the grain or figuring in a 30" log was first rate.
 
blackhorse said:
Gee, thinking it was no good, I used up the cherry for kindling.
Joe
Click to expand...

Cherry is my standard kindling. Offcuts from turning and carving.

I am puzzled by the reputation cherry has among turners as a difficult wood to dry. I have used wood from logs with sound bark which had been outdoors three years and more, and from trees cut the day before. Other than darkening of the sapwood and the occasional worm hole in the old stuff, no real difference.

The data on average shrinkage published at the FPL site appears accurate, in my experience. A bowl cut at 12" green with the heartwood up will lose between 1/4 and 1/2 inch in total width, not counting that due to radial shrinkage lowering the sides. Be especially careful about the very heart. Cherry has a tendency to split at the heart even in the log, and if you leave a hint of split on the rim, it will open up. Personal feeling is that it's due to rapid growth made early on. Cherry is a fire tree here, one of the first to colonize an open area.

So keep the bark intact, make your turnings early if you're going to want good white sapwood, and treat it as you would any other wood.

Butcher, I ski through an area which has not been logged since it burned in the 'teens. Cherry four foot and larger in diameter stands among the maple and beech. Pity is, I keep looking and calculating board feet instead of enjoying the peace and quiet.
 
cherry

WELL!!!! You can take those guys as just plain goofy....but as a TRUE and ever willing to help wood-turner, here is MY generous offer!!! I know you would rather turn than burn, so go at it, shine 'em up real nice and send them to ME!!!!!! I "dew" luv Cherry, and all other wood!!!! If you wish, I will reduce it to kindling and send it back..........
 
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