Need help

[Mark Warden]

I turned this today and got carried away and finished turning it wet about 20% . What is my best chance of saving it?

 

[Malcolm Smith]

Turned what?

 

[Mark Warden]

I don't know what to do h here I guess i posted in the wrong place tried to delete it and just lost the pic. New to this whole thing and not doing so good I guess sorry

 

[KurtB]

Help

Mark,
You're in the right forum to ask for help. I think that the question is: what is the wood. Is the 20% the wall thickness or the moisture content?

If the wood is green, you can finish turn it to a wall thickness of 1/4", with consistent thickness throughout. Then it will probably warp somewhat.

If you want to rough turn and let dry, turn to 10% wall thickness of diameter (i.e. 10"D = 1" thickness) and set aside for 3-6 months. Return the outer, and finish turn the inside.

 

[Ken Grunke]

The exterior will want to dry faster than the interior, so wrap the outside with newspaper, tuck that into the rim just a bit. Leave the opening clear so moisture can escape from the interior.

Or bury it it in a pile of shavings --with the opening exposed. The shavings from the turning itself will probably be best.

 

[Mark Warden]

Thanks guys the 20% is the moisture content and it is Hackberry. I turned it down to about3/8 thick 5 1/2 wide and 3 1/2 tall the pic should be back on the 1st post. Thanks again for the replies

 

[john lucas]

Mark If you turned it to 3/8" follow Ken's advice and you should be OK. It will dry in 2 or 3 days. If you have some scales, weigh it. When it stops losing weight it's dry. It will warp. When it's dry just sand the foot flat so it sits without rocking.

 

[GeorgeH]

Mark, I hope it doesn't warp too bad; I really like the shape. I like the suggestion of burying it up to the rim in wood shavings (the finer the shavings the better in my experience) so air moves in and out of the cavity. Best of luck on this piece.

 

[John Jordan]

Put it in a paper bag, cardboard box, or just a cabinet, which is what I use. If it has no cracks now, it will be fine-I do dozens of pieces a year like that. There's an article about it on my website www.johnjordanwoodturning.com . It's going to tilt to one side because it's not centered in the log, though.🙂

Are you sure that's hackberry? It looks like hickory.

John

 

[Mark Warden]

Thanks again everyone its in a bag with wood chips and i taped the rim.As far as your question John my wife bought a boat load of blanks for me for chrstmas and it was stamped Hackberry thats all i have to go by. I'm new to turning and was shocked to even think about using green wood as all my woodworking before was furniture and cabinets and wet wood was the last thing i wanted.My lathe was the last thing i bought for my new shop and the only thing i used since i put it together🙂

 

[MichaelMouse]

Change the shavings for dry ones. Mildew can make an ugly black mess. Pull the shavings when they're wet to the touch and replace again.

 

[Mark Warden]

Finished piece

This piece started as a hollow vessel but the rim cracked while drying so I made the cover.Critique is welcome.

 

[Joe Greiner]

This seems to be (or must be) a different piece from the OP. As far as I know, it's OK to start a new thread for a new critique, as long as it doesn't get out of hand.

It's a good recovery, but the mass of the finial overpowers the rest of the piece. Try something more delicate next time. If it isn't yet glued in, you can probably re-mount it and reduce it. Start the reduction at the far end for best results.