First try at lidded pots/boxes

[johnny.t.]

Had a go at turning some endgrain boxes/pots with lids today both from unknown firewood rescues.The first was made from a fairly softwood and was easy to do(hollow) and the lid fits well enough to lift the whole piece by.

The second one is made from a harder wood and hollowing it out was really difficult, I tried using a bowl gouge but ended up using my 1/4" parting tool then a round nose scraper to try to tidy it up. What sort of hollowing tool would be a good purchase, can anyone recommend one to me?

cheers johnny

 

[cornucopia]

well done

both woods look the same to me and look a bit like ash- for small hollowing upto about 3" deep i normally use a spindle gouge (with an inch of flute) on its side- or my 5/8"bowl gouge on its side.

heres a thread on how i do box's

 

[johnny.t.]

Thanks to the link to your excellent thread cornucopia
The woods are different though but I have no idea as to what they are.

The 2 pieces of wood on the right are the ends from the first box and the left the same as the second box.

As to my trouble hollowing, the main problem I encounter is when trying to enter the hollow I've formed at the rim , I keep getting hideous catches. If I start my cut just inside the rim ,no problem but its when starting from the edge, I guess its the attitude of the gouge upon entering but I can't seem to get it right I end up reaching for the parting/beading tool and cutting a deep groove to keep me away from the edge.

cheers johnny

 

[Dave Atkinson]

Hi Johnny

I think the log on the right is Ash and on the left Silver Birch perhaps?

As far a skidding on the edge it is a regular problem. Try putting your toolrest across the end of the box. Rub the bevel towards the middle of the box and then brng the gouge back to edge and start cutting. This should stop it skidding.

It is also possible to to this with the rest parallel to the lathe but a little more difficult. Remember to line the bevel with the cut if you do this and go straight in.

And of course lots of practice helps.

Cheers Dave

 

[johnny.t.]

Thanks dave I'll try that

 

[PowerTool]

Both very nice pieces
The only problem with boxes is that they can become very compelling - each one you make gives you an idea you want to try out on the next (not that this is a bad thing.. :wink: )
I agree with Dave - the logs look most like silver birch and ash.

Andrew

 

[Paul.J]

Couple of nice boxes Johnny
They do both look to be the same timber which i would say Ash,but looking at the logs they are different.

Here is an earlier link to some advice on hollowing tools.

 

[Alie Barnes]

it is silver birch and ash.

I was told that S Birch isnt very good for turning, seems i am incorrect.

 

[loz]

Im not convinced your second box is Birch if thats whats being implied - Th e colouring/figuring is all wrong, and turnign birch is like turning butter.

The photo of the log though is deffo birch - but your box isn't from that log - im convinced.



this is Birch -

 

[robo hippy]

I picked up a neat trick for getting the tenon and recess to match at a recent workshop with Bonnie Klein. You get the best fitting lid when the sides of each are parallel and square to the sides. Instead of using calipers, or eyeing it, use a 6 inch steel straight edge. Hold it firmly to the recess or tenon, and then use your eye and see how the straighe edge lines up to the ways of the lathe. This is much more accurate. You need a 1/4 inch tenon and recess for a good fit.
robo hippy

 

[johnny.t.]

The photo of the log though is deffo birch - but your box isn't from that log - im convinced.

Its not from that log ,thats the one I have left(I got 3 from inlaws wood pile) Thought they were all the same but I could well be wrong I picked them out for the knotty twiggy bits which I thought would be interesting.
Sadly the other two were already sawn straight at the ends so no off cuts ,all the bark was lost rounding off(one became the second box and the other the final picture in my mushroom post).

 

[Jenx]

Hi Johnny ....
I'm only a relative beginner too ( 1 year ) - But FWIW, I'd say ASH for your boxes.
Some wise heads will no doubt confirm or correct, if thats wrong, just shortly.... Cornucopia thinks so... that'd be good enough for me ! :wink: ( he's a 'wise head' and knows his onions ! )

Nice job on the boxes though... regardless of the species !
They look terrific ! Well done ! 8)

 

[johnny.t.]

One more box,this one is made from the silver birch log pictured above with a waxed finish.

 

[hpl]

HI Johnny,

Those boxes all look like they are Ash, even the last one. They are coming on nicely though.
On the tool catching, I was told to make a small vee with the parting tool on its side, or the point of the skew to start the cut, then start the gouge with this. I still do this on important pieces just in case!! I also find that a very sharp gouge is less likely to catch than a slightly blunt one. I still get catches at times and I've been turning years

Johnny B

 

[johnny.t.]

Thanks Johnny B, good to know that everyone still gets catches on the edge when hollowing and its not just me! I was a bit more careful with the last box and didn't actually get one(well not one that cut across the edge anyway ).
You have really confused me on the wood now though, :? in the picture of the logs above, the two off cuts on the right of the picture are from the first box(you can clearly see the light bit dead centre of log and box) and the final box is made from the log on the left which is clearly different(it went from my garden bench in the pic straight onto thr lathe and became that box). I guess it doesn't matter, the final outcome of the work is more important

Thanks johnny

 

[DaveL]

I still get catches at times and I've been turning years

Johnny,

That makes me feel much better about the catches I get and I have only been turning for a few weeks. :lol:

 

[Scrums]

Ahhh.....Flowering Cherry - sometimes the bark can look very similar to Birch, when the Birch isn't silvery/white.Grain and colour look like Cherry too, though Cherry is very variable.

Chris

 

[johnny.t.]

Thanks Chris, the bark does look like flowering cherry now you say that. Confusion over.
Johnny