How to turn or carve a pier. Any help really appreciated

[Harvey]

I am seeking a Wood Turner with a large lathe capable of turning 8 oak discs from 600mm diameter X 100mm to 300mm X 100mm to make a pier (see enclosed photograph).

I'm hoping to replicate Roker Pier in Sunderland because this has great sentimental attachment with my family who have spent much time fishing from this beautiful piece of architecture.

I'm assuming that it would be difficult to find a machine to accommodate the whole piece and think it would be easier to be done in separate pieces (discs) although I'm not sure whether the beautiful curve will look as good is completed this way.

I purchased the lamp for the top of the lighthouse over 10 years ago and have been searching for someone to carve or turn the lighthouse shape ever since.

I'm nearing 60 and I haven't seen too well lately which has prompted me to get this job finished before I am!

I don't know whether you have seen the documentary series "Sunderland till I die" on Netflix, well this has become a case of "Sunderland pier before I die"!

Any help, advice or ideas very much appreciated.

Harvey Cowe

 

[AJB Temple]

Harvey, do you realise how heavy an item like this is going to be with a 600mm diameter base? It will take four men to lift the completed item. You will struggle to find wood of that size as well, especially without splits and shakes, without laminating it. Would it not make sense to build it out of wooden bricks, gradually tapering in as you go?

I would be amazed if anyone takes this on. It is far from a small job and fraught with risk.

 

[Harvey]

This is why I suggested doing the job using discs 10 centimetres deep and placing these on top of each other.

 

[Mike Jordan]

I suggest you try thinking like a cooper! A hollow form should be much lighter and easier to produce.

 

[Max Power]

Hollow is definitely the way to go. What height is it going to be, or rather what length needs to fit in the lathe if turned as one ?
I'm only twenty miles from Sunderland and can vouch for the view :wink:

 

[Lazurus]

Whilst my lathe will certaily cope with the size and weight of the described piece as above the logistics are monumental. If I was making this it would be a hollow form, and I would consider MDF as a stable and easily workable medium

 

[Lazurus]

Another thought, put a post on the AWGB site, many are professional turners on there who will give a commercial and experiance based input.
www.awgb.co.uk/awgbforum/index.php