I`ve had an unusual request!

[gasmansteve]

Hi Folks
I`ve just been asked by my daughter in law to make an urn for her recently departed dad`s ashes. I`m quite chuffed in one way that she asked me but daunted in another about how to go about it. Searches online seem to show square box like urns made out of wood but not the type turned on a lathe. Dimensions are another thing and questions like "How big are his ashes" don`t really seem appropriate. I have a nice piece of Laburnum put away for a rainy day which might do the job, should it be lined inside? will the wood react with the ashes? should the interior be coated with something?
Any advice appreciated
Cheers
Steve

 

[cornucopia]

mike mahoney makes burial urns for pets and people i dont belive he lines his with anything, avoid open type burrs - there is an equation for weight to cubic inch's but i cannot remember it.

 

[colin macdiarmid]

maybe this might help for ideas
http://www.urns-online.co.uk/index.htm

This was copied from another forum: The urn has to be quite large, the commonly used size is one cubic inch of urn for every pound of weight of the live person, so that's often in the 180 to 200 cubic inch size.

 

[jpt]

If it is any help the crematoriums use a purple plastic container the same size as sweet jars you see in old fashioned sweet shops for all adults.

john

 

[gasmansteve]

Thanks for the replies guys. Cheers for that link Colin I like the shape of one of the soft wood urns there which should look nice in Laburnum.
Thanks again
Steve

 

[NickWelford]

My mother's ashes were given me in a cardboard box about 125 cubic inches or so.

 

[gasmansteve]

Hi Folks
Well mk1 started and what do you lot think please ?
Lovely piece of Laburnum but I initially thought the grain too abstract (make that loud) for an urn but its growing on me. Size is about 11"x7"





I haven`t finished hollowing it yet or decided on a lid but wanted some comments before proceeding any furthur. I wouldn`t mind being sent off in a piece like this but then I`m a turner :lol: If I turn the light wood away then the diameter would be too small for the piece. Terry - the chap who hopefully will be resting in there was a lifelong Liverpool fan
and I`m wondering how to incorporate something reddish in the design?
Should I start on mk2? :?
Cheers
Steve

 

[Bodrighy]

Persojnally I'm not sure about the overall shape. Google 'urn' and use images and have a look at the shape and design of the urns there.

Pete

 

[gasmansteve]

Hi Pete
Yes it sort of evolved to that shape but there are so many types from small /squat to tall/thin. I have in mind a lid that will suit it but my main gripe was the grain-too contrasty which normally I`d go for but for an urn??
Steve

 

[gasmansteve]

Good tip about the Google/images link Pete never used that before!.
Regards
Steve

 

[TEP]

Hi Steve. For a bit of red in the design you could try some 'Pink Ivory' Could make a lid, and a foot from it to try and balance the colours.

Don't forget though all these coloured exotics do tend to lose their colour as they age. Or you could use some nice pieces of Maple and dye them with a red stain.

Also considering the nature of the container you should be considering some means of locking the lid. Either a screw thread, or even gluing it in when finished and filled.

Another way is to hollow from the bottom, fit a top/finial/decoration on the top, make a cover for the bottom hole which you can lock in with some wood screws.

 

[gasmansteve]

Good idea about hollowing out from the bottom Tam never thought of that.
I`ve been looking around for some Sawtooth bit extention bars but no luck yet.
Might have a go making one or weld a bar onto it, I think you suggested that in a previous post?.
Still not wild about the shape of the urn might have a tweak tomorrow.
Steve

 

[PowerTool]

Steve - Axminster do extensions for Forstner/sawtooth bits.
Is that the sort of thing you are looking for ?

Andrew

 

[gasmansteve]

Thats the very thing Andrew if a little longer than 150mm. Have to see what else they do.
Cheers
Steve