Holly a food-safe wood? Used Easy Core???

[Rand Hall]

Hello,
A brief intro, yes I am new to the AAW, and to wood turning. After teaching science for 23 years at McKinleyville Middle School I was given the opportunity to teach a woodworking program to 7th and 8th graders, with one catch. There is no state funding for the class, so all I do must come from donations. I have found many great sponsors, and now have a fairly well equipped wood shop, including 4 lathes (3 Delta 46-460's and a JET mini EVS), and 4 sets of Easy Wood Tools turning tools (Thank you Craig Jackson). The lathe station is one of the kids' favorites.
Question #1. I have just received some fresh cut holly. Would this wood be safe to use with food? (I have several students that are making bowls.)
Question #2. If anyone out there has a Oneway Easy Core system for sale I would love to be able to get one so I can supply wood blanks to more kids. I can't afford to pay full price, but I do get cash donations from time to time.
Thank you for your time and help. Rand Hall

 

[Paul M. Kaplowitz]

Holly

Dear Rand, Holly is perfectly safe for food service bowls. It cuts beautifully and takes a marble like finish.

 

[Owen Lowe]

Question #2. If anyone out there has a Oneway Easy Core system for sale I would love to be able to get one so I can supply wood blanks to more kids. I can't afford to pay full price, but I do get cash donations from time to time.
Thank you for your time and help. Rand Hall

Because the Easy Core is expensive, new or used, I bet if you contacted the local AAW chapter, you will find members who would be happy to provide you with cores and bowl blanks. One of our chapters organized a volunteer program with a high school woodshop to provide one-on-one tutoring/mentoring with students. Just a thought, if you are looking for some support staff.

Here’s a link to locating chapters near you:http://www.woodturner.org/community/chapters/LocalChapters.asp

 

[Bill Boehme]

A Oneway coring rig is quite expensive and really not useful except for really large pieces of wood -- far larger than what can be mounted on a midi or mini lathe. Even if you had to buy wood, it would take a huge amount of wood to offset the cost of a coring rig. Unless you live someplace where trees don't grow, I can't imagine not having access to an abundant supply of free wood.

 

[hockenbery]

Rand,

If you have not done so check out the AAW YOUTH program web page

http://www.woodturner.org/community/youth/

Quite a few projects for youth. Most are spindle oriented for a reason.
In great generalities kids younger than 13-14
1 lack the coordinated range of motion to hollow bowls efficiently and
2 lack the hand strength to pressure fit a box lid

Lots of nice bowls turned by 10 year olds but lot of 10 year olds won't be successful.
Most of your kids are probably in the bowl capable age.

My wife and I taught youth classes for about 7 years at MD Hall for the creative arts to 10-16 year olds.
We gave permission to take an 8 year old and he did quite well.

We tried to create our projects with success in mind. We had 2.5 hour classes spent the first hour practicing the cuts used on the project.

Absolute best first project is a Bonnie Klein spinning top
1 can't make one that won't spin
2 the practice was to make a wide cove with a center the diameter of a pencil
The center is the handle, The left side of the cove the point, right side of the cove the top.
We used coloring pens and chatter tools
The kids get a great introduction to the spindle roughing gouge, parting tool, and spindle gouge.
Most kids turn 2 tops. And we end class with a spin the longest competition.
The kids lose their intimidation of the lathe while gaining a respect for the lathe and safety rules.

Your students could qualify for free AAW membership. Just need some chapter sponsorship.

Spindle wood is cheap and often free. We alway had plenty of free wood for the class from club members and some wood dealer cut offs.

Have fun,
Al

 

[dbonertz]

Rand,

Check your private messages.

 

[Rand Hall]

Thanks to all that have offered help.

I have made contact with a few local turners, but unfortunately the nearest AAW chapter is a 4 hour drive. My quest for an Easy Core System comes from 1. my lack of experience with lathes, I am learning as fast as I can....
2. I have had 3 large trees donated to my program in the last month (a 32" black walnut, a 28" maple, and an 18" holly). I have a PM 3520B at home that I could use to core out smaller bowl blanks for the kids. I can cut the tree rounds into planks, and then bandsaw rounds sized for our lathes.
I have no budget to work with from the school. All I supply for the kids must come from donations, so I can't even afford to have bowl blanks shipped in from an outside vendor.

Thank you to all that have sent helpful tips. I have 3 kids working on holly bowls now, they will be pleased to hear it is food safe.

 

[Shawn Pachlhofer]

you could also keep an eye out for a used "Woodcut Bowl Saver"

it's similar to the Oneway - but I think more affordable.

I bought a used one last year for ~$200

 

[john lucas]

I would keep an eye on Craigs list and Ebay. Don't forget the McNaughton coring system. Things come up all the time but you have to check it everyday to not miss the good deals. I always get outbid on EBAY but have found some great deals on Craigs list.

 

[hockenbery]

1. my lack of experience with lathes, I am learning as fast as I can.... 2. I have had 3 large trees donated to my program in the last month (a 32" black walnut, a 28" maple, and an 18" holly)......I can cut the tree rounds into planks, and then bandsaw rounds sized for our lathes. .

For beginners I use round discs from slabs. 8" rounds 4" thick would be good for your kids.
The 28" maple. I would cut a log section 28" long. Then cut a slab 4" thick out of the middle with the pith in the center. Rip that through the pith each side produces 3 quarter sawn blanks. The two sides cut off each produce 3 more 8" rounds 4" thick and a bunch of 3x3 and 2x2s. For spindle projects.

I am concerned about your lack of experience. Be sure to follow all safety guidelines. Have you students wear face shield when ever any lath is operating.

Al