Getting ready
I was lucky enough to have access to a very large walnut tree that had blown over. The tree was over 200 years old and a little more than 6 feet across at the base. Tomorrow a friend and I plan to attack this project with a chain saw and start the process of getting ready to turn large pieces on the lathe. We will be using a lumberjack chain saw, two man cross cut saw and other tools to break the tree down into large pieces. I will use my tractor with front end loader to get the pieces onto a trailer and then get it hauled to the shop. A smaller chain saw will be used to block the trunk down into blanks that we can mount on the big Powermatic lathe. We will also be using an engine hoist to assist with lifting the large pieces onto the lathe. Our goal is to turn the largest platters possible. Since this is green turning we will turn each piece down part way, paint the end grain and place the pieces into the drying rack. In 3-6 months depending on how each piece dries we will remount the piece and finish turning it. If all goes well I will post pictures as we move along on this project. Very little of this tree will go to waste as the plan is to turn as many pieces as possible. Looking forward to giving all of you ongoing details.
I was lucky enough to have access to a very large walnut tree that had blown over. The tree was over 200 years old and a little more than 6 feet across at the base. Tomorrow a friend and I plan to attack this project with a chain saw and start the process of getting ready to turn large pieces on the lathe. We will be using a lumberjack chain saw, two man cross cut saw and other tools to break the tree down into large pieces. I will use my tractor with front end loader to get the pieces onto a trailer and then get it hauled to the shop. A smaller chain saw will be used to block the trunk down into blanks that we can mount on the big Powermatic lathe. We will also be using an engine hoist to assist with lifting the large pieces onto the lathe. Our goal is to turn the largest platters possible. Since this is green turning we will turn each piece down part way, paint the end grain and place the pieces into the drying rack. In 3-6 months depending on how each piece dries we will remount the piece and finish turning it. If all goes well I will post pictures as we move along on this project. Very little of this tree will go to waste as the plan is to turn as many pieces as possible. Looking forward to giving all of you ongoing details.