Which metal detector? - Horror Pics!!

[NickWelford]

I was given a beautiful piece of yew by JPT - wonderful colouring.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2972251930_4cd70eaca8_b.jpg

Slapped a piece on the lathe, thought I would try out my lovely new Munro hollowing tool...... All was going so well..... using the tool is great, then a snick snick snick..... Couldn't see what was causing the noise, so pressed on..... then took a good look - and embedded well within the wood, not visible from the outside is a dirty great nail. I think I've probably written off one edge of the cutter.....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2971407073_cd10412a87_b.jpg

Tried to dig out the nail and carry on, and then POP the bowl splits!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2971410419_3249656cf5_b.jpg

I shall try and persevere, getting the damn thing out, then glueing and get something out of a spectacular lump.


Anyway, what's the best metal detector to get?

 

[jpt]

Sorry about that.

Obviouslly not the same make as mine as it missed it.

I have been thinking about one of these http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp? ... e=1&jump=0 but at £70 its a lot of money

john

 

[NickWelford]

It was some way in, J.... that is a bit much at that price though.

 

[maltrout512]

Sorry to see your problem. Happens with hedgerow timber all the time, nails,staples,barbed wire. I have sawn through some timber only to find I have cut a 303 bullet in half, luck has it it was lead. If you want to buy a detector similar to axe pm me and I will give you the details to where. They sell detecting machines and I have bought various machines from them and have had a good service. If you mention my name you should get a little bit of discount and they do mail order next day. One question did you see a black/blue colour in the wood before you put it on the lathe? That is a good indicator for iron. Life is learning curve.

 

[Bob Chapman]

John, I have one of those metal detectors - it works fine.

Bob

 

[Wanlock Dod]

So, I saw the first picture and thought "what a lovely bit of colour, there must be some iron in there".

The second picture made me think you should set what's left in coloured epoxy and finish it, it's a very unusual thing to find in a bowl.

I now have a much better appreciateion of why purple yew is quite so rare, and why to be wary of it. Thank you

Dod

 

[NickWelford]

There is so much purple/black colouring that I'm surprised it would all come from the one nail. Wonder if there are more in there? Need a detector fast!! I didn't realise that Yew had thet effect with iron.

Dod - glad to be of service.........

Mal - PM sent. Thanks

 

[maltrout512]

Nick, sent pm back with details.

 

[NickWelford]

Didn't get to me, Malcolm - please try again

 

[maltrout512]

Pm resent Nick. Hope it works this time if not I'll post on here if it is permited.

 

[Bodrighy]

I have taken a couple oif the magnets from old computer hard discs. I ru these over any suspect wood and, inless the wood is really thick, they usually pick u any ironwork buried.

Pete

 

[Jenx]

Apologies if this is a stupid question --

Can yew be deliberately given this purple colouration by knocking some iron into a blank -- or does it have to be introduced to the tree whilst its still growing for the effect to take place ?

 

[Jenx]

Did nobody know ? or is it a secret ? ^

8)

 

[Paul.J]

Jenx,i'm no expert but i should think that that process would be best when the tree is alive and growing,and i should also think that it would take years for the colour to appear like that.
I took a nail out of some spalted Sycamore the other week which was buried deep.The nail was in good condition still with just some small amount of darkening around it.
Nothing as spectacular as in the Yew
Might be worth experimenting on varying timbers,and using different nails,steel,copper,etc to see what occurs.

 

[Jenx]

Hi Paul ...
I kinda thought the tree would need to be 'alive' so to speak... thinking that the way the tree basically would circulate its lifeblood , ( is it called 'Transpiration' or something like that ? I'm recalling something from School Biology here, from the distant past ) ... would cause the toxin to colour its 'flesh' .... Thats kinda what I envisaged would happen - but then, thinking about how wood 'spalts' - i got to wondering if this colouration could happen after it was 'clinically dead' if you follow my thinking.

It would be fascinating to do some experimentation with this ... a bit 'long term' perhaps, before the results would be seen.... but interesting !

The piece of yew in the photo has taken on a very appealing colour...
and I wondered if this would be easy to replicate , hence the question !

Cheers for the reply... interesting subject !

 

[John. B]

Hello Nick,
I have one of those detectors from Axminster and they work very well,
but as you say somewhat expensive.
As for salvaging the split bowl, have you considered filling the split with
pewter.
Not expensive, very low melting temperature, turns very easily with conventional turning tools, looks brilliant. (resembles silver) Does not tarnish.
I have seen a few (inlaid?) turnings and they look fantastic.
John