The crotch part 2. For critique....

[johnny.t.]

I really liked turning the laburnum crotch piece yesterday and the best thing was I still had the other half for another go 8) I managed to get home from work early(in a happy eager childlike way) and headed for the shed......



The flat bit on this one is much thinner than the first and the bowl part smaller,due to the softness of the diseased part(the dark area in pics).

And just to prove I'm not posting the same one again....


JT

 

[stevebuk]

hi JT
you must really post some photos to accompany these posts, i would love to have seen how you did this.
Stunning mate, just stunning, i cant even imagine how you started this piece, held this piece and shaped this piece, wonderful..
=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

 

[Bodrighy]

Those really do look good JT. Woods like laburnum and yew really do lend themselves to this sort of thing with the grain following the shape so dramatically. If you ever sell these try selling as a pair.

Pete

 

[Paul.J]

Very nice JT
A perfect pair.That was going to be my original idea when i was doing mine,but the first one turned into a bowl.Somehow :?

 

[mrs. sliver]

Very nice JT! now why can't i see things like this when I cut up wood? :evil: I just got a piece cut a few days ago but didn't see that in it! :shock:

 

[PowerTool]

Quite a stunning piece,JT
You seem to have got a beautifully even thickness,which can have been no mean feat with the irregular shape,and managed to maintain the bark all the way round to keep the fantastic heartwood/sapwood/bark contrast.

Andrew

 

[duncanh]

Good work - they look great.

One thing to consider - when I've been doing these recently I've given them a round bottom and off set the bowl so that the whole piece is off balance and rests on one edge when put on a surface. This shows off the crotch grain much more effectively as you can see it from a lower angle and not just from above (whilst standing or walking past)

If you don't fancy turning it off centre you could cut one edge short or I've even considered adding a weight underneath the edge I want lower.

Duncan

 

[user 5053]

Very interesting, almost like a a piece of wall art. Laburnum is a such a beautiful wood classically planted as an ornamental tree in front gardens with its yellow hanging flowers.

 

[johnny.t.]

Thanks for all the positive comments I really did enjoy turning these,sadly they don't make a pair as the diseased part on the second made me make the bowl part smaller.

......i cant even imagine how you started this piece, held this piece and shaped this piece....

Just as you would any bowl Steve, I put the screw chuck in the front of the half log formed the back of the piece with a tenon,reversed, formed the front and finally reversed once more to finish the base.

JT

 

[stevebuk]

hi JT
as the top part of the bowl sits proud of the piece how did you remove it all and still keep the bark on? same with the bottom part too...
DougB has just given me a cracking piece of chestnut and i would love to turn something similar

 

[johnny.t.]

I'm not quite sure what you're asking Steve.

The trick to these or at least how I've been doing them is to keep the tool rest at 90' to the lathe bed(by eye) and not going round the side near the finger hurting bit at all.

The bark just seems to hang on well with Laburnum.

I make the final cuts to the flat bit with a really sharp scraper used very gently which gives a decent finish which is then sanded by hand(no blood then :lol: ) The bowl part is sanded with the lathe on in the usual way. I now apply all my finishes by hand as it stops those annoying radial marks.

Hope that helps mate, if I've missed the point of what your asking(likely) just ask again :lol:

JT

 

[Jenx]

Great work Johnny .... I love it !

Both of the pieces are absolutely stunning ! 8) 8) 8)

 

[loz]

Just seen this Johnny - and its very nice ! - You do manage to find lovely lumps of wood !

Loz

 

[johnny.t.]

Thanks chaps

Great work Johnny .... I love it !

Both of the pieces are absolutely stunning ! 8) 8) 8)

Thought you'd abandoned us Jenx WB mate

 

[CHJ]

Sorry johnny, thought I had commented when I did the critique listing, guess that bloke CARDHU clicked the wrong box again.

Must have been a nervous session with the second one, wanting so much to make a pair.

A pair of turnings to be proud of in any event, your finishing has brought out the the very best character of the Laburnum.

 

[johnny.t.]

Thanks Chas.

Must have been a nervous session with the second one, wanting so much to make a pair.

I was more worried about improving on the first than a complete match, I'll try a proper matching pair with the next nice crotch I get my hands on!!!!

 

[Jenx]

Thanks chaps

Great work Johnny .... I love it !

Both of the pieces are absolutely stunning ! 8) 8) 8)

Thought you'd abandoned us Jenx WB mate

New job & the associated near-vertical learning curve is taking up far too much time :lol: :lol: ....
And I've a competition piece to make too ! ... must have a word with new boss !
The 'absence' is only temporary.. till I manage to be able to tell my 'ar5e from my elbow' in the world of pneumatically driven liquid pumps, gas boosters, air accelerators etc !... ( clueless presently ! ) :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: