How to steam pear?

[PAC]

I'm currently roughing out some bowls using pear wood. I've seen images in books of steamed pear which has a nice pinkish tone to it. Does anyone know a good method for steaming pear? At the moment, I'm briefly running the bowls under the tap, sealing in a plastic bag and giving them a couple of minutes at full power in the microwave.

 

[Bodrighy]

Why would you want to. I got hold of a piece of the stuff and it looks like plastic IMHO.

Pete

 

[wizer]

I quite like it:

http://finefurnituremaker.com/news/?p=152

 

[Bodrighy]

Perhaps in flat work but cedrtainly the piece I made has been greeted with comments of 'Is it real wood' and 'Is that plastic?' I think maybe when you have a greater expanse the grain as such has a chance to show but on smaller turned stuff it looks blandy pink.



See what I mean

Pete

 

[stevebuk]

i disagree pete, i really like your bowl, i think it looks modern and trendy and would suit a contempory surrounding. Just because the people viewing it at the time didn't like it doesn't mean its bad.

 

[PAC]

I like pear a lot - has some lovely tones and it cuts really well and holds very fine detail. Not easy to dry though... :roll:

 

[duncanh]

I've never steamed pear myself, and have only seen it in the flesh once (John Boddys). I only bought one blank and wish I'd got more - it was lovely to turn and it looks great, with a distinct difference between the heart and sap wood...



Sorry for the glare on the photo - it's got a gloss finish, which is unusual for me.
About 20cm diameter

Duncan

 

[wizer]

damn I wished I'd picked a lump up from S&B at the w/e

 

[Bodrighy]

The stark difference between the sap and heartwood do make a differenceI still think that the sap wood alone, which it seems I have is pretty boring. Much prefer wood with figure, texture and or graining. Still each to their own

Pete

 

[peteb]

Perhaps in flat work but cedrtainly the piece I made has been greeted with comments of 'Is it real wood' and 'Is that plastic?' I think maybe when you have a greater expanse the grain as such has a chance to show but on smaller turned stuff it looks blandy pink.



See what I mean

Pete

that's a great bowl Bodrighy! I really like the shape.

I had an unidentified blank that had a very similiar colour/grain. Turned beautifully. But very soft - has picked up quite a few dints since I finished it.