Turning wet wood

I start a lot of rough out bowl blanks between centers using Chuck and screw that comes with chuck. Drill hole in center of blank that will be my inside of bowl. Rough the outside cutting a recess in bottom so can chuck for reverse turning inside bowl.

Also do the same using two-prong drive center in headstock and live center in tailstock.

For even easier mounting in chuck drill a recess with a forstner bit in drill press.

I turn to even thickness and do not re-seal a blank. Depending upon wetness of wood may put in brown grocery bag for couple of weeks. Sometimes use shaving sometimes not. Some folks like using plastic bags, just remember without air circulation wood cannot dry. I do remove shavings after week or two.

Never have any problem cutting wet wood with sharp bowl gouges. Carbide scrappers supposed to eat up wet or dry wood.

-- Bill

Thanks Bill. I was using a one inch round scraper and the square tungston carbide sorbe to drill down from the outside. I could just use a bowl gouge from the back side and make my tenon.
I used the face plate with four screws, good steel wood screws. At this point, mounting is a weak spot for me. I see a lot of videos by guys that know what they’re talking about, but have no clue how to communicate it. I’d like to know if there is a competent communicator out there somewhere producing video’s. Some of these videos are really really bad.

So if I cut it down to bowl dimensions and leave it thick, I should probably stick it in a paper bag with some shavings for a couple weeks? And fate takes it from there.

-- Failure does not stop me, it makes me try harder..... because I'm crazy.

Russ,
Turning wet wood to ROUGH dimensions is no prob. Just don’t get antsy and try to finish turn until the wood has had a chance to stabilize unless ya want the look of warped turnings (which is not bad). Drying time will vary with the specie, but rule of thumb is 1” per year unless ya force dry the rough turnings.
Most turners will rough turn the project, store it in a bag/box with some of the shavings until stabilized, then finish turn.
When turning wood as wet as you describe, most turners will cover the lathe bed to prevent rust. Need you ask how I have learned this? :)
Bill

-- bill@magraphics.us

It’s not flinging water, but its pretty soggy. I was hoping I could force it dry, it’s going to deform either way. Its curly maple, any suggestions.

-- Failure does not stop me, it makes me try harder..... because I'm crazy.

If you go on You Tube and look up Lyle Jameison’s videos, you might find what you are looking for. Also, try and look up Bob Hamilton’s videos. They both offer great videos. IMHO.

Keith

There are so many free videos online hard to recommend just one site or one video. Look at these links and kind of keep track of videos that interest you. You can find specific videos by just searching the internet for what you want. Basic techniques do not change finding someone you can relate too does as you gain experience turning.

http://www.woodturningvideos.com/
http://woodturningvideos.weebly.com/
http://www.turningtools.co.uk/videos/videos.html

Only real way to find out what works for you is just go for it. Videos are useful for some ideas but hard to find one working with same wood and tools you have and use.

-- Bill