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Norfolk Island Pine

N O O B and a VB 36

O.K., I have to ask the question.

Paul, please tell me that you've been turning for awhile. 'Newbies' rarely start on a machine like the VB 36. 😱

And if you are a newbie, god bless you for having a superior lathe to start with!😎

Oh, and sorry, I don't have a source for NIP. I wish I did, but I live in New England!
 
Usually turned end grain to orient the knot pattern and after spalting to maximize coloring.

Nothing really special about turning it.

Best bet to get large diameter logs would be to move to South Florida or Hawaii. The stuff grows on trees there 😉. Trying to buy and ship large diameter logs would be insanely expensive.

Ed
 
As with many gymnosperms, sometimes the wood is quite resinous with sticky sap. Although Araucaria isn't as bad as pines or some other conifers, be prepared for some resinous 'mess' when turning green wood. Solvents such as mineral spirits will help with the clean up; but stay away from lacquer thinner unless you want to damage painted surfaces, etc.

Good luck with the VB-36...greenish with envy from Iowa....

Rob Wallace
 
Suggest you start smaller rather than larger. NIP is best turned very thin and it is subject to tear out. See the post below.

http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=4723&highlight=captjim&page=2

There is also some info on finish in that same thread.

Use a hook or ring tool in the deeper areas with a very light touch and sharpening often if you have knots.


Does anyone know of info on turning Norfolk Island Pine? How about a source for large diameter logs? I have a VB 36 and would like to turn some larger pieces. Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks from Mike Lentz Captjim. I missed the last post you made on the previous thread and it will be a great help. It's still waiting on me.
Mike
 
Vb 36

O.K., I have to ask the question.

Paul, please tell me that you've been turning for awhile. 'Newbies' rarely start on a machine like the VB 36. 😱

And if you are a newbie, god bless you for having a superior lathe to start with!😎

Oh, and sorry, I don't have a source for NIP. I wish I did, but I live in New England!

I have been turning for 13 years. I'm 64 years old and decided to buy the lathe of my dreams while I was still able to turn. Thanks for your reply. I am from Connecticut but now live in Charleston, SC. I stapped a snow shovel to the hood of my car and started driving south. When someone asked me what it was, I new I had driven far enough.
 
down under

Charleston, SC. I stapped a snow shovel to the hood of my car and started driving south. When someone asked me what it was, I new I had driven far enough.

:cool2: I like your style, for me I drove north till I found a place that could grow bananas all year round 😀
 
Welcome aboard, hughie. You'll like it here too. Some really bodacious work in the gallery.

Do they grow bananas on Norfolk Island?

Joe
 
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