Popular Post Bombarde16 Posted January 13, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 Spalted holly with a rim of walnut and cherry. 10 1/2" diameter, 5" high. This one fought me. The holly came from a friend's firewood pile and was fairly well rotten when I got it back in 2016. Roughed, dried for two years, and now it's time to make something of it. The soft, spongy fibers tore out all over the place. I got it close to its final shape and then slathered it in clear shellac. Once that dried, a final pass with a scraper got things clean enough that I could start sanding. I've got a larger blank from this same log still, so now I know what to expect. The rim came out a little wide for my taste. It's a lot of cherry, and it's quite bright for now. Once the rim darkens, the holly should balance it a little better. Gifting it to a friend today, so I had to get a quick picture before it goes. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 Does anyone ever resin-stabilize bowl blanks? Seems like pen blanks and knife scales are all I see treated that way. Seems like a good method to make use of pretty, but spongy, wood. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 32 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: Does anyone ever resin-stabilize bowl blanks? Seems like pen blanks and knife scales are all I see treated that way. Seems like a good method to make use of pretty, but spongy, wood. Yes a lot of people stabilize blanks. If small parts are pinky you can flood with CA glue as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 I think the bowl looks great! I have no problems with the proportions. Good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 I particularly like the rolled rim. Is it undercut, too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 Very pretty ...that’s a huge piece of Holly by the way. Beautiful bowl Curious..., why the segments on the rim?... as opposed to just face gluing a wide board to the edge of the blank Look up cactus juice if you’re interested in stabilizing blanks. It’s a process though. Minwax wood hardener works well on a very very punky blanks. No need for a vacuum or oven but it’s expensive. A 12” diameter blank can soak up two full bottles of it and just about triple the weight. The Challenge with CA glue on punky areas is that it soaks through and completely changes the color off and blocks your final finish as well. I’ve ruined quite a few blanks trying to fix hairline cracks with CA. Shellac seems like a good idea to stabilize punky areas so they don’t tear out... until the alcohol displaces all the moisture in the blank and it cracks like an egg ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted January 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2019 8 hours ago, Mark J said: I particularly like the rolled rim. Is it undercut, too? Yes. It scoops in about 1/2" underneath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted January 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2019 7 hours ago, vinnyjojo said: Very pretty ...that’s a huge piece of Holly by the way. Beautiful bowl Thanks! It came from a log about 20" across, so it was indeed a monster holly. 7 hours ago, vinnyjojo said: Curious..., why the segments on the rim?... as opposed to just face gluing a wide board to the edge of the blank That would also work. But this lets me use up some narrow stock. And the look of face grain all the way around has grown on me, more so than a rim which is half end grain, half face grain. 7 hours ago, vinnyjojo said: Shellac seems like a good idea to stabilize punky areas so they don’t tear out... until the alcohol displaces all the moisture in the blank and it cracks like an egg ! I've never experienced this. Any pictures or anecdotes? This blank and its sibling have been dead on equilibrium for over a year, so I wasn't particularly worried about it trying to change shape on me or anything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted January 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2019 7 hours ago, vinnyjojo said: that’s a huge piece of Holly by the way. And it occurred to me that this isn't really even that log's full potential. When I got it wet from my friend's backyard, I was still on my little Harbor Freight mini lathe so I had to rough it down under 10". Wish I had bought my full size lathe sooner. So many trees, so little time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted January 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2019 (And for those inquiring minds who want to know about the recipient, she was very impressed. ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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