Well, the base it's resting on is wooden...

[Glenn Weathington]

Hey All,

I've been lurking daily for a quite a while now. I figure I'd show you what I've been up to. I know you won't mind that there's absolutely no wood in my latest work. This piece is Colorado alabaster, natural edged, and measures 6 1/4 inches wide by 2 3/8 inches tall with a rim thickness of 1/8 inch tapering to 5/16 at the foot. I apologise in advance for the somewhat poor photos (I need to build a better light tent) and if I somehow mess up the posting of my pics. Comments and criticism are very much appreciated. ">http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/Glenn_W_2009/th_IMG_0632.jpg (http://s608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/Glenn_W_2009/?action=view&current=IMG_0632.jpg) ">http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/Glenn_W_2009/th_IMG_0634-1.jpg (http://s608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/Glenn_W_2009/?action=view&current=IMG_0634-1.jpg)">http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/Glenn_W_2009/th_IMG_0635-1.jpg (http://s608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/Glenn_W_2009/?action=view&current=IMG_0635-1.jpg)">http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/Glenn_W_2009/th_IMG_0636-1.jpg (http://s608.photobucket.com/albums/tt166/Glenn_W_2009/?action=view&current=IMG_0636-1.jpg)

[Stephen Saar]

It's really pretty, I didn't realize you could turn stone like that. Do you use regular HSS style wood cutting tools, or do you have to use special stone cutting tools?

[curtis rosche]

you can use regular tools. some people use the easy rougher. it just dulls everything quicker. i dont think you can use a gouge though. i do want to know what you have to do to sand and finish it though

[Bernie Weishapl]

Great looking bowl. Really nice finish.

[Tom Lewis]

Very nice! Many years ago I turned several alabaster pieces, but they caused so much dust that I stopped using that material.

[alex carey]

always wanted to turn that stuff, perhaps one day. That a nice piece, well done.

[Glenn Weathington]

Thanks Stephen, google 'alabaster vessels' using google images. There is a small number of dedicated stone turners compared to wood turners. Curtis is correct. I use a wide variety of scrapers to turn a stone vessel- an Easy Rougher with a square or crowned insert for initial shaping of the profile, along with various square and rounded end scrapers. For hollowing I use the same. A carbide tool is preferred because it will hold an edge longer. For scraping to final thickness I use a rounded side box scraper in a shear cut grip on the wall of the vessel. I could make a few scrapers out of rectangular steel stock with carbide blanks silver soldered on the ends. You definitely wouldn't want to try a standard gouge though, as the stone is much to hard for that particular tool and it's technique- the gouge would dig into the piece and tend to twist out of you hand, possibly becoming caught between the tool rest and the work.

Curtis, after I have finish turned a piece, I wet sand; taking the appropriate measures to protect my lathe from the water. I cover the ways and lower end of the headstock with plastic and a few paper towels to soak up the water and dust slurry that will fall of the lathe during the sanding process. I then begin sanding with Imperial 220 wet or dry sandpaper going through the grits to 600. Normally, after sanding with each grit is done, I wipe the slurry off with a clean wet paper or shop towel. Then I wet sand with Micro-Mesh up to 12000 grit progressing through the different grits. As for finishing, it depends on the piece. For this particular vessel I wiped it down with mineral spirits, allowing the stone to soak up the liquid. Then I used Danish Oil cut with mineral spirits for a first coat, following the manufacturer directions for any successive coats. I have not yet waxed and buffed this piece. I use Renaissance Wax and a Beall wheel.

Thanks Bernie, Tom and Alex, I appreciate it.

Tom, yes stone produces a lot of dust and it gets everywhere. It's kind of a pain to sweep up too. Thats one of the reasons why I wet sand my work. Otherwise I don't think I could take all that dust. Got any pictures of your work?

Alex, that's what I said a long time ago. If you have some way to deal with the excessive dust issues and a lathe that will turn at a slow rate of speed-between 20-50 RPM, I would recommend you give it a try.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Glenn - great looking bowl! Always nice to see the variety of things that can be turned!

Here is a quick How-To on posting photos on the site. Hope it helps!
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=25115

Looking forward to seeing more of your work!