Post by admin on Mar 30, 2010 17:36:03 GMT -6
Gents,
I've recently been doing one of my seemingly favorite activities; finding something simplistic, then complicating the snot out of it. Bowl turning compared to many other turning tasks is quite simple, but the method I've been wanting to do has been strictly failure based.
My goal is to turn a bowl in END GRAIN. Basically take a block of wood, bore the pith out, drive in a wooden peg to fill that hole (thus getting ahead of cracks and checks) and then hollowing the bowl out, preferably leaving the bark stabilized on the outside. This, when combined with a lid will give a charming looking vessel/box that would be pretty nice (if it worked like I've planned it).
However, straight end grain is quite possibly the hardest part of wood. I can take my dullest tool in the shop and work with a vessel easily, my sharpest, best mojo turning on this end grain idea goes nowhere.
Twice I've had a catch that dismounted the bowl from the chuck, thrice I've had it simply go so I was totally uncomfortable with the process (I was seriously concerned at one point because my gouge was hanging maybe 4" off the rest and I was sure it was going to either break the tool, bend it, or something else in that line). So, I pulled the plug. I had the rest as close in as I could get it, but it still had me worried about the stresses in action.
Can it be done? And, if it can, what kind of magical mojo do I need to get it done? Preferably while following my two main rules; I must survive. My tools must as well. (Can't afford to replace anything at this point, not even a gouge).
Guys? Tips? I'm sure one of you two has done it, I'd love to know how.
TJ.
I've recently been doing one of my seemingly favorite activities; finding something simplistic, then complicating the snot out of it. Bowl turning compared to many other turning tasks is quite simple, but the method I've been wanting to do has been strictly failure based.
My goal is to turn a bowl in END GRAIN. Basically take a block of wood, bore the pith out, drive in a wooden peg to fill that hole (thus getting ahead of cracks and checks) and then hollowing the bowl out, preferably leaving the bark stabilized on the outside. This, when combined with a lid will give a charming looking vessel/box that would be pretty nice (if it worked like I've planned it).
However, straight end grain is quite possibly the hardest part of wood. I can take my dullest tool in the shop and work with a vessel easily, my sharpest, best mojo turning on this end grain idea goes nowhere.
Twice I've had a catch that dismounted the bowl from the chuck, thrice I've had it simply go so I was totally uncomfortable with the process (I was seriously concerned at one point because my gouge was hanging maybe 4" off the rest and I was sure it was going to either break the tool, bend it, or something else in that line). So, I pulled the plug. I had the rest as close in as I could get it, but it still had me worried about the stresses in action.
Can it be done? And, if it can, what kind of magical mojo do I need to get it done? Preferably while following my two main rules; I must survive. My tools must as well. (Can't afford to replace anything at this point, not even a gouge).
Guys? Tips? I'm sure one of you two has done it, I'd love to know how.
TJ.
