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Club Slabbing event

F

Frank Kobilsek

Joined
Nov 30, 2005
Messages
286
Likes
4
Location
Mendota IL
This past Saturday (4-18) The Central Illinois Woodturners came to my back lot for what we call 'Stabbing and Slabbing'. The purpose of the event was:
1) Teach the new turners how to slab out a log for Bowl Blanks with a chainsaw.
2) Let the more experience turners compare their methods of milling
3) Create some blanks for our more ‘mature’ members that may not be able to do this sort of work anymore.
4) Discuss cutting wood for best figure.
5) Build an inventory of door prizes for CIW Meetings and Raffles.
6) Have some fun!

As the host I had a selfish motivation not listed among the goals. As the owner of a 30" lathe and a 18" chainsaw I have not been able to create blanks to turn that really big bowl or platter. (I know its pointless, but a man has to learn the hard way)

16 members attended everyone left with all the blanks they cared to haul away. We cut Maple, Locust and lots of walnut. There are maybe 70 to 100 blanks ready for door prizes and there are 5 or 6 blanks 20" to 30" for me to beat myself up with. Great day! A few pictures attached.
 

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slabbing

Hi Frank,
we couldnt do that here in Tx. as about all we have is Mesquite, paper grade pine and very little else.Maybe a small amount of walnut.Looks like everyone had 'loads' [pun intended] of fun. Max
 
Dustpan said:
Hi Frank,
we couldnt do that here in Tx. as about all we have is Mesquite, paper grade pine and very little else.Maybe a small amount of walnut.Looks like everyone had 'loads' [pun intended] of fun. Max
Click to expand...

Well, on my side of DFW, we would add Silver Leaf Maple, Box elder, Ash, Sycamore, more Bradford Pear than any storm can knock down, Pecancrete, and all kinds of different Elms. No good mesquite though.
 
Post oak here.

Frank, Very considerate of you all to cut some blanks for those who can't (for whatever reason). Am headed that way all too fast. Cut a small (10" dia.) dead oak this morning and it was about all I could do to get the branches cut up and a few small logs rolled into the tractor bucket and parked in the shade. Managed to cover the log ends with plastic bags and maybe can get them sealed tomorrow. Am about used up for today. Not as good as I once was, and never as good as I thought I was.
 
Randy Rice said:
Steve, you forgot to mention that we also have Bois d'Arc and cottonwood.
Click to expand...

Cottonwood doesn't count. Forgot the million different oaks (which don't count for me) and Hackberry.
 
I would love to have the large logs(Walnut, Maple etc.) you have out there. I have a VB 36 lathe and a shop crane and can handle anything. The last log I got was a Pig Nut Hickory, 25" in dia. I turned 12 large, beautiful bowls that are drying. I don't care if I sell them or give them to my kids and friends, it was wonderful turning them. The problem is I live in the low country of South Carolina(coastal plain) and there are no really good hardwoods here. 🙁 I'm looking for contacts to by large logs in western SC, Ga or NC, so I can take my trailer and pick them up.
 
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