2 Maple NE Forms

[Mike Minto]

A large maple came down in a friend's neighborhood - he called me, and I got 3 logs from it. Wish I had gotten more - it is really excellent wood - there is another standing there, so we'll see :p. Anyway, here are two forms I have made from it so far - kind of a vase, about 7" tall and 8" wide, and a 'rocker', thin form with no foot about 8" wide and almost 4" tall. Funny how the heartwood is green - very wet, threw more water around the hut than anything else I've made. Oh - finished with some shopmade "wipe-on lacquer" - not buffed yet.

[Scott Lux]

Love the rocker! The vase looks top-heavy to me, but that's personal taste, not design rule. Both look very well done and have a nice finish.

If you think green maple throws some water, wait until you hit apple. But remember, it's not safe to wear a poncho near the lathe.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Mike - real nice work on both of these!

I like the vase just because of it's non-traditional form! I have turned a few fairly close to the same shape but never one with a NE. Looks good!

Really like the rocker bowl! Nice form but what really caught my eye is all the curl!

Nice job on these! You should be pleased with the results!

[David E Keller]

Very cool pair. I'd like to see the walls a bit thinner, but that's purely personal preference. Nice find on the wood. Nice job on the curves.

[Mike Minto]

thanks all for the kind words. regarding wall thickness, while i like some of my turnings with thicker walls when that is the way i 'design' them (read: the way the wood lets me affect the final shape), i would have these to have been a little thinner, too. for me, they are pretty thin, but being green they were warping as i was turning them - was lucky to get them this thin. sanding helped some :rolleyes:. i am pleased with them, don't get me wrong - all part of the evolution of a turner!

[Mike Minto]

scott, what does your signature mean? i don't speak latin, but it looks like 'i am ridiculous, therefore, i am' - am i even close? :o

[Scott Lux]

You got it. It's the unofficial family motto. I tell my son, not all dad's are silly, just the good ones.

[Mike Minto]

that's too funny...lately i've been going with 'i am annoyed - therefore, i must be...' ;)

[steven carter]

Mike,

I like both bowls, but like the rocker bowl best. I can't really say the walls are to thick because I can't hold the bowl in my hands. I have made bowls with thinner walls and thought I really had something, but when I picked it up, I was disappointed because they just didn't feel right. It is my opinion that a bowl should look and feel right, finding balance between looks and feel is what I am after, and sometimes I actually find it.

Steve