2017- more of the same I suspect

[Dalboy]

I'll not let on if the local green reports it is missing a few.

My sister is one of the club officers and no one wanted them something to do with having to have them re-weighed and stamped so they can be played with, my gain

 

[CHJ]

Sundays effort to reduce the oddments pile.

Yew 116mm H

Yew 105mm H

A little bit of rustic influence rubbed off from the Tewkesbury Medieval experience yesterday on this one.
Yew 105mm H

Might review some more of the stock to err on the rustic side, might be a bit easier to use it up accepting warts and all.

 

[TFrench]

Lovely stuff. What are you using to hollow the yew? carbide tipped tools? I need to make a square shanked holder for mine I think, its too easy to roll the square cutter into a catch.

 

[CHJ]

I bore out the bulk with a series of Forstner bits, going up in size in steps dependant on cutting resistance.

I then use a Home Made Boring tool to open up the remainder as you would with a metal lathe.

For ease of use and reduction of handling pressure the heavier and longer you can make it the better.

Always aim to have the cutter above the centre line, usually a natural effect of having to get clearance for the shank, catches are none existent as long as you keep cut depths within your ability to support the tool, they are not technically catches as such then, more a loss of control..

Mine was originally made with square stock I had to hand that was the same width as the tip, with just a small section relieved for clearance, In use I found I needed to relieve the width to slightly narrower than the tip.

I would estimate my tool is double the weight and stiffness of the commercial equivalent.
The square section is a real boon to holding it flat on the rest, initially I used a Gate to tool rest to stop it twisting but with experience of use I find this unnecessary now.

Tool is 600mm long with a substantial Handle to enable firm grip.

Edit:- You can see it in typical use here

 

[stewart]

More lovely work, Chas. I especially like the natural edge yew bowls - lovely!

 

[CHJ]

A few WIP shots of this one.

The reason for heavy duty stiff shank and a long robust handle, there's a lot of overhang to contend with.

Turn it round and make the foot look as though it's intentional rather than just a holding spigot.

Time Forstner bit boring started to open up initial holding spigot hole.
14:57:22 (img b5)
Time to bore with Tool:-
15:08:44 (img b8)
15:14:51 (img b9)


Give it a coat of sanding sealer and a look at the buffing wheels and another one joins the collection.

Yew 120mm H

 

[CHJ]

More lovely work, Chas. I especially like the natural edge yew bowls - lovely!

Thank you Stewart, Just repetition in the most part by me, fortunately nature rarely makes two things exactly the same so there's a built in variation of design handed out for free.

 

[Dalboy]

A great little WIP especially those that are maybe a little newer to the hobby and need that encouragement to try something different and also for the mor experienced maybe to show a different way than what they already use.

Nice little vase/goblet. and certainly a nice chunkie tool ideal for those larger overhangs

 

[CHJ]

That's basically my point Derek, all very well talking about using conventional tools of yester year and developing the skill level to use them without serious risk but I do wonder how many new to turning have bad experiences with catches etc. and shy away from such simple forms.

If I had a pattern makers wood lathe I would be using it to do the boring and truing of stock as I would on a metal working lathe with little dexterity skill needed, maybe not aesthetically pleasing or self satisfying for those who find self gratification in mastering the skills but I know my skill limits, or at least my patience to improve rather than produce.

 

[CHJ]

A change of wood species, none of the logs are of significant diameter so it's a case of Pencil pots or little Nibbles bowls for a day or two.

Hazel 113mm dia.

 

[CHJ]

Best laid plans and all that, several small blanks all lined up for an uninterrupted days production then decided to let the extraction system consume one of my 100mm buffing mops.
Subsequent opening up of the debris bin reveals that it was at least a month overdue on the empting stakes, at least the mop was on the top and easy to retrieve.

At least two bits got finished, looks like the others may have to wait until the rest of the extraction units are all attended to as I suspect they are in similar overfull condition.

Hazel

90mm high.

80mm high.

 

[CHJ]

Some more Bitsa's

Hazel.

125-130mm dia.

105-108mm dia.

 

[CHJ]

So you have the best part of a couple of days away from the shed enjoying some good food and life in general, a bit of smugness on board at the fact that there is a little more space in the wood store from the few pieces you've managed to complete and junk stock cleared out and you might be getting somewhere after all.
Had a clear run home for a couple of hours plus with no traffic traumas and thoughts of a relax with a little libation now the driving completed and;------

As Naz says elsewhere it's great to live in a rural environment and feel appreciated when a past favour gets acknowledged but:-----


Quick check shows 500mm X 300mm on the lower two bits, and the top piece has a cruck that is going to be a little interesting trying to slab up.

 

[Dalboy]

What found on the doorstep when you got back, nice to get away and relax sometimes. Now you need to get it cut and stored before the splits appear good luck if you have not already done it that is.

 

[CHJ]

'fraid it's going to have to wait 'till tomorrow Derek, risk or no risk. I would be here 'till midnight trying to cleave and cut it up.

 

[Dalboy]

'fraid it's going to have to wait 'till tomorrow Derek, risk or no risk. I would be here 'till midnight trying to cleave and cut it up.

That would do me in and probably put me in hospital even for a small amount like that. The wife did not want to see me in that position so treated me to a chainsaw makes it much easier now. I was also a instructor showing people the proper use of one so have a good background in there use.

 

[CHJ]

Well a day with chainsaw, wedges and persuaders etc. and some aching arms lifting the stuff around and on and off the Bandsaw and waxing sees yet another days worth of sawing and bulk reduction to make room for the storage.
A few bits of Pear came to the surface in the process so a start has to be made on getting it out through the door.

Pear
160mm dia.

173mm dia.

188mm dia.

 

[paulm]

Good to see you keeping busy Chas, as always !

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[CHJ]

Yes days are still as full as I can manage Paul, suppose I must be grateful that having been retired some 24 years there's still not enough hours in the day to do all that we would like.
Having spent 12+ years perfecting the hoarding of bits of wood the dictates of Anno Domini suggest a serious effort is needed to reduce it somewhat but there is a limit to how many hours I can safely/sensibly spin bits of wood in any given session, it does mean that a lot of the pieces are very bland and of little design merit but at least they leave one way or another.

 

[gregmcateer]

Nice bowls, those, Chas.
I particularly like 2nd and 3rd.
I like the way the inclusion passes through the beads, (or rather the beads pass through the inclusion).
Keep up the good work, young man - You're an inspiration to us all.
Greg