LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

A friend and neighbor from three doors down passed away not too long ago. His children are currently in the process of trying to sell his house. There were quite a few trees down around here after Hurricane Isaac, including one from his back yard. When I saw the cut up trunk and branches at the curb, I thought it would be nice to turn something from a piece of Mr. Ben's tree to remember him by.

I thought it was an oak tree, but the wood didn't have the big pores I'm used to seeing from local oaks. Then again, this is the first green wood I've ever turned, so I had no idea what to expect. I left the walls fairly thick, but no telling what will happen as it dries. The finish is buffed BLO.

Whatever it decides to do, it will still bring me good memories of a fine old gentleman.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
18,702 Posts
I'm thinking Mr Ben would approve.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
332 Posts
Oh yea , Ben would approve ! Charlie , I turn green wood whenever I get the chance ! As long as you eliminate the heartwood from the blank before turning, you'll only have to deal with a little distortion…not much problem with checking. If however, you leave the heart (not heartwood but the dead center of the heart) you could have problems. I love the look of long peels coming off relatively green wood, and if you take your time turning and turn to a uniform thickness it will dry sufficiently during turning to only require a couple days of drying before final sanding and finishing that is if you are at about 1/4 to 3/8" thickness. Some really good turners like to turn to 1/2 " or more (depending on mass of piece planned) and let it dry thoroughly for a month or more before final turning (leaving it on an aluminum face plate the entire time it dries is supposed to be helpful.) I have a good moisture meter and have found the heat and friction of turning a large open vessel requires no more than 2 days post turning to my favored thickness to test the vessel out to 15% + or - (Mas amenos) ! That of course is affected by the variety of wood being turned . A good friend who has since passed used to pop his turned green vessels in the oven on low heat 200 for 1 hr. then test with moisture meter. I always just turned green and tested …love the smell of green oak being turned wet…messy though ,, I use a plastic sheet hung a couple feet away in the firing line ! And I agree with you, doesn't look like oak ! but it is pretty, and that is nice work ! Don s.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6,840 Posts
Thanks for the tips, Don.

I turned it to rough outer shape, then left it sitting on the lathe for almost a week before I got back to it. It did seem much drier than when I started. We'll see what happens.
 

· In Loving Memory
Joined
·
229 Posts
That is nice Charlie, Good way to remember him!
I hope it stays this nice for ya' Great work.
Thanks for sharing.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
939 Posts
Great looking piece AND story behind the piece. Nice work Charlie. I have just started back with my lathe - I think that will be my primary interest going forward. Turning is so rewarding - and you don't have to wait too long to see the finished project. Now if I can just get back to where I was a few years ago :) Practice, practice, practice.
 

· Banned
Joined
·
3,018 Posts
That is wonderful Charlie. You had a great idea and did a fine job on the lathe.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,712 Posts
Nice in every way, Charlie.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
9,848 Posts
well done Bud
 

· Registered
Joined
·
122 Posts
Nice tribute and memory.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,201 Posts
Good work(s) and good job. Love it.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
250 Posts
Great tribute Charlie. I'm sure Mr. Ben is pleased.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,212 Posts
very nice tribute…very nice…
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,089 Posts
Projects are always better when there is a story to go with them. The project and story are great.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
139 Posts
That's nice Charlie, I hope the family appreciates the sentiment. It's nice to have community, people that care. There are too many disconnected people in the u.s. imho…

As for species, shoot, if I didn't know better I'd call that some type of pine. Any more clues? Pictures of the wood before cutting, bark, leaves, etc? Could it be fir?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6,840 Posts
We have a lot of Bradford pears in this neighborhood…. I'm leaning towards that.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
332 Posts
Nice job Charlie, I am sure it will very much appreciated by the family :)
Pete
 

· Registered
Joined
·
974 Posts
I'm sure Mr. Ben would be happy, Charlie.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,442 Posts
Looks great charlie… you should make some costume draft mugs too… wouldn't that be awesome!
 
Top