River Birch HF

[Bill Bolen]

This River Birch HF is from a stump I dug out of the front yard this summer. Took about a week to get it out of the ground using little garden hoe's, hatchetts, chaninsaw and whatever else I could get down into the hole with. It was almost too punky to bother turning but after all the work digging it out I wasn't just going to throw it away! 9.5" X 5.75" tall and finished with 12 coats of gloss wipe on poly. I had to pour a bunch of mineral oil inside to stop this wood from soaking up all the poly rubbed into the exterior. The fist 6 coats just sucked in but after the interior was flooded with mineral oil and allowed to dry for a week then the outside started to finish OK. I was after a squat almost dumpy form but with slightly pouty lips to the piece. comments critiques always welcome...Bill..

[curtis rosche]

that looks like an onion. i really like the shape and the finish. and i really like that wood

[Richard Madison]

William that is WAY beautiful! A very nice reward for all your hard work and determination.

[Gary Conklin]

Wow what an awesome piece! Looks great!

[Alan Tolchinsky]

Very pretty finish and all. I like that little detail ring you did near the neck. Boy you're really willing to work for your wood. I won't complain anymore about having to cut up my wood on occaission. :)

[Steve Schlumpf]

Bill - love it! Great looking wood! Really like the organic form! Agree with Curtis - definitely has an onion shape to it! Amazing coloration throughout the wood! Well worth the effort! Thanks for sharing!

[Mike Marmon]

Hi Bill;
That is a striking piece. Can you explain your finnishing process? How do you apply the poly? Rag or Foam brush or ...? Sanding schedule? I have the hardest time with finnishing my turnings and would love to be able to get this kind of finnish on a regular basis.

Thanks,
Mike

[Bernie Weishapl]

Bill that is a beautiful piece. Wood is beautiful. Form and finish look great.

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Beautiful wood and form :D, just TOO glossy/plastic for my taste :eek:, just my hangup :rolleyes: :o

[David E Keller]

One of my favorite postings so far... I'm a sucker for a good spalted piece of wood. I like the pouty top and the proportions are appealing to me. Strong work.

[alex carey]

wow, that is an amazing piece of wood.

[Bill Bolen]

thanks all...Mike, I apply the poly with a 2x2 cotton patch (old t shirt) and begin wet sanding between coats with 400 grit wet and dry paper (the black stuff) once the gloss appears. Then just a 3 wheel buff
Leo: heck no problem, a lot of folks don't care for a high gloss finish. I prefer an oil/buff finish myself but gloss sells much better here!...Bill..

[Mike Minto]

william, i think that piece is just fantastic - nature's artistry blended with yours. wonderful. how thin is it? what tools did you use to get to the sides? mike

[Harvey Ghesser]

Just wanted to echo everyone else here: Just beautiful work!:)

[Bill Bolen]

Mike, I use a home made articulating hollowing system. Walls are 1/4 to 3/8 foot closing in on 1/2. The wood was so punky I was a bit nervous going to 1/4 or 3/16..Bill..

[Steve Frederick]

Beautiful Bill!
You said it was punky. How did you stabilize it?
Nice form too!

[Bob Bergstrom]

Had to be quite a challenge to turn it with that much decay. The result of your effort and patience have paid off. Beautiful piece.

[Curt Fuller]

That's beautiful. Well worth the effort of digging it out and dealing with the punky wood. I really like the shape too.

[Bill Bolen]

Steve: I had about 1/2 a can of minwax wood hardener so I used it up on this piece. Man, I hate that stuff! The fumes just about knock me out even when used outdoors but it does the job...Bill...

[Terry Achey]

Gee, I can't say more than has already been said, Bill. Simply beautiful in every way. Given that I have yet to venture too far into hollow form, I'm always espcially impressed with the narrow opening - wide bodied pieces such as this. In my eyes, it's truly an impressive pices of wood and workmanship! ;)

Terry

[Mike Golka]

Oooooooo.....shiny, pretty wood, nice form. Well done

[Alan Tolchinsky]

Mike, I use a home made articulating hollowing system. Walls are 1/4 to 3/8 foot closing in on 1/2. The wood was so punky I was a bit nervous going to 1/4 or 3/16..Bill..

Now Bill I think you're being modest about your work. Those walls have to be slightly less than 1/4 to 3/8 foot. :D

[Rob Cunningham]

Nice form and beautiful wood. I think it was well worth the effort of digging it out and stabilizing the wood.

[Paul Engle]

Awsome indeed !!!!:d