White Birch Winged Crotch Bowl

[Steve Schlumpf]

Man, that is a mouth full!

This is one half of a crotch piece of White Birch that I split right down the middle with my chainsaw last year. The other piece mirrors this one but I have not finish turned it yet. Lots of worm holes, curl and a little color from spalting help to bring this piece to life.

White birch – 13 ½” x 9 ½” outside measurements with 1/8” thick wings. The bowl is 8 ¾” diameter x 2 ¼” high with the rim 3/16” rapidly tapering to 1/8” thick for the bowl portion. I left the wings exactly as they were cut with the chainsaw and left the saw marks on the edge of the wings. Everything was sanded to 320 grit and so far it has the first of many coats of Minwax Wipe-On Gloss poly.


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As always, your comments, critiques and opinions are welcomed!

Thanks for looking!

[Tim Cleveland]

Great piece, Steve. Not to detract from your piece, but every time I try stopping at 320 grit I'm left with horrible scratches, but I don't see any on your bowl. What am I doing wrong?

Tim

[Burt Alcantara]

Beautiful piece Steve. Very imaginative. Love the color and form. You really can put a piece together!

Burt

[Bernie Weishapl]

Beautiful bowl Steve. Great form and finish. Steve please post when you get the final finish done.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Tim - the only thing I can think of as an answer to your question is that you are working through the different grits to soon. Probably depends on what grit you start with - but then you have to make sure that each successive grit removes the scratches from the previous grit. On this piece I started at 180 grit, then 220, 280 and then 320. The wings and the bowl junction area required a lot of hand sanding but when you take your time and go through the grits in stages - you should have good results every time!

Hope that helps!

[Don Carter]

That is a beauty, Steve. When you get those coats of poly on, that thing is going to sparkle. Can't wait to see it completely finished.

[John Fricke]

Thing of beauty. I'm working up the courage to try one of those winged wonders one of these days

[Mike Stephens]

Love it Steve. When its finished it will really be a great piece

[George Guadiane]

Nice piece of wood
Nicely turned
Nicely finished
Nicely photographed
NICE!

[Curt Fuller]

I've alway been a fan of natural winged bowls, and this one is why. They show off all the beauty in the wood while still showing off the artistic talent of the turner. That's a beautiful bowl Steve and I love the thin wing.

[Rich Boehlke]

Very nice, Steve.
Someday I hope to turn one that is just as good.

[Jeff Nicol]

Steve, Again, your talent as a woodturner shows in this beauty! Very nice and the color and grain of the birch are beautiful! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Jeff

[Toney Robertson]

Wow, you sure got that thin.

Excellent job.

Toney

[Terry Murphy]

:) Eveytime I think My stuff is looking descent, you raise the bar.
I love the winged bowl.
Great Job!

Terry

[Tim Vice]

Awsome work. I am learning how to turn the bowls. How do you tuen the bottom?

I cut a tenon in for the chuck but have not figured out how to remove it after I am done.

Thanks,

Tim

[Bill Bolen]

Very well done Steve. Love the form and am looking forward to thi finished piece...Bill..

[Maylon Harvey]

That sure is purrrrty Steve.

[Dave Winters]

Really nice! Superb execution.

[Jack Tyree]

Steve, that's a slick piece and an even slicker idea!
Talent...what a cheap trick.

[steven carter]

Look great Steve! I have my first one drying, I hope it turns out a well as yours!

Steve

[Jack Mincey]

Very nice work Steve. I will have to try something like that some day.
Jack

[Lionel Mercier]

Very beautifull work Steve
With the wings we see the trunk forking
The sorrowing fact when I hollow a birch crotch, is that there is a marvelous fern design that disappear when you go deeper...What to do to preserve ?
I' ve tried only a thin layer glued on top of a box (pict attached) it's very close to the core of the tree...which way to preseve this when hollowing ?
Congratulations Steve and so long
Lionel.
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[Tim Cleveland]

Tim - the only thing I can think of as an answer to your question is that you are working through the different grits to soon. Probably depends on what grit you start with - but then you have to make sure that each successive grit removes the scratches from the previous grit. On this piece I started at 180 grit, then 220, 280 and then 320. The wings and the bowl junction area required a lot of hand sanding but when you take your time and go through the grits in stages - you should have good results every time!

Hope that helps!
Thanks Steve, I'll work on that.

Tim