got some logs

devonwoody · 19 Sep 2008

My neighbour cut down a bay tree yesterday (laurel?) and I have been given logs as per picture.

So diameter is from 3" to around 8".
My axminster lathe M333 has a max swing of 9" or 12" length so these should be usable?

Should I cut to 9" lengths (or slightly longer if storing) and get to work immediately and rough out to bowl shape or leave for a few months?

wizer · 19 Sep 2008

What's the largest diameter bowl you can turn on your lathe DW?

devonwoody · 19 Sep 2008

wizer · 19 Sep 2008

i'm walking away from this slope... quickly!!

Dave Atkinson · 19 Sep 2008

HI
Isn't it great when you get free wood?

I would first seal the ends with PVA, old paint or whatever you have handy which will slow down the drying procss and reduce the cracking that will inevitably occur.
Given the size my preference would be to let them dry for a couple of weeks and then start turning. I love turning green wood - Michael O'Donnell has a good book on this (turning green wood) - but you may need to wear a raincoat! :lol:

You can do end grain bowls, side grain bowls, and goblets - all with a natural edge. As it's free I'd experiment and if it ends up looking good great - if not at least you've had fun and learnt something. Have a look at some of the work of Bert Marsh for inspiration - I think his stuff is magic

If you turning wet stuff then the walls need to be thin which will reduce the likelihood to split andI often stablise the pith with superglue. The pieces will move as they dry but the resulting shapes and textures are, I think, worth waiting for.
It's a great chance to play - enjoy and I hope this helps.
Cheers Dave

Wanlock Dod · 19 Sep 2008

Hi DW,

I've found that endgrain bowls work best with wet wood, as they tend to suffer from less distortion whilst drying.

Personally, I'd be tempted to take soem of the larger sections and split them down the middle, working with lengths that are as long as you can reasonably manage. They'll dry much more quickly and will probably split less as there will not be any intact growth rings. You'll be able to turn them dry(ish) in a year or two.

Endsealing is probably a good idea if the wood is fresh, but I don't bother if the wood has been hanging around for a while already. I never trim the split bits off until it's time to use the timber, feeling that this is just likely to result in further trimming of the ends later on, and consequently shorter pieces of timber.

Happy turning

Dod