Aligning the pith in hollow forms

[Aled Dafis]

How do you guys allign the pith in hollow forms? and does it really matter?

I assumed that the pith would be aligned from top to bottom and that you'd hollow the end grain, but having just read "Ellsworth on woodturning" again, i found that David Ellsworth usually alligns the pith so that it runs side to side through his forms. David also sometimes alignes the pith so that it runs diagonally, so that the form dries into some sort of rugby ball shape.

So, what do you do? and how does it affect the finished forms?

Cheers

Aled

 

[big soft moose]

i generally dont include the pith at all , either cutting the log down the middle or into wedges with a chainsaw then cutting the form blank out of a bit with no pith.

 

[CHJ]

So, what do you do? and how does it affect the finished forms?

Cheers

Aled

A lot depends upon what grain figuring you want to accentuate. See Here

In some instances if the pith runs down the centre, much like the bulk of Cornucopias, the trick is to bore out the central base to remove split risk and fit a false plug.

 

[Bodrighy]

I tend to do whatever the wood suggests at the time so all the options suit me. Leaving the pith in can cause problems with splitting or distortion mind, more so in some woods than others. As Chas says. If you have a specific design in mind regarding the grain then that would also dictate which way you turn it.

Pete

 

[cornucopia]

In 99% of my work the pith is removed- and the form is turned end grain or side grain from the wood either side of the pith but not including it. If the wood is really special (yew,mullberry,laburnum etc) then i will put it down the centre and remove it as Chas suggests in the hole and drill it out of the base.

Its very important to think about how/where to or not to include it as it will have a great affect on how critical the thickness is and how the finished piece will look etc or if you want to season it how you do it and what success faliure rate you have.

 

[mark sanger]

Hi

I do both lining the pith through the centre pith excluded. There are some issues with including the pith but I do not have many.

 

[Aled Dafis]

Thanks for the tips guys. I should have asked this question before turning my first form.

:x

Cheers

Aled

 

[duncanh]

Recently I've been experimenting with drilling out the pith and then turning end grain.
Once dry the pith hole will probably be oval so drill it to round and fit a plug

 

[OldWood]

Just out of interest has any one tried the Ron Kent soak in detergent treatment to see if this has an effect on inhibiting pith splitting.

Rob