Crotch ??

[Dolan Brown]

If this was your wood how would you turn it?

I split the crotch down the pith. Each piece is app. 4" thick x 16" long x 14" across.



http://www.sawmillcreek.org/picture.php?albumid=223&pictureid=3095

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/picture.php?albumid=223&pictureid=3094

[Donny Lawson]

I would be very interested in the responses you get from this because I brought home a Cherry croch like that today.It is huge and I have no idea how to work this thing out.I've not cut it yet but I did recut and seal the ends.
Donny

[Dennis Ford]

Consider turning a natural edge platter or wall hanging by cutting on the red lines before mounting. You would want the face that is currently exposed to wind up as the platter top or front of wall hanging. If you do this, keep your fingers on your side of tool-rest!

[Dolan Brown]

Consider turning a natural edge platter or wall hanging by cutting on the red lines before mounting. You would want the face that is currently exposed to wind up as the platter top or front of wall hanging. If you do this, keep your fingers on your side of tool-rest!

Dennis,

Since the pieces are between 3-4" thick would you resaw them again and make two pieces from each one if you were making a platter or wall hanging?

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Dolan,
I consider a winged bowl centered like this:



http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=111224&d=1235535226

I like the way the grain climbs out two sides of the bowl.

Good luck and enjoy it! Gorgeous piece of wood.

[Dolan Brown]

Dolan,
I consider a winged bowl centered like this:



http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=111224&d=1235535226

I like the way the grain climbs out two sides of the bowl.

Good luck and enjoy it! Gorgeous piece of wood.

KEN,

That is really nice - did you turn it?

Do you have a photo of the bottom side?

Thanks,

[Leo Van Der Loo]

If this was your wood how would you turn it?

I split the crotch down the pith. Each piece is app. 4" thick x 16" long x 14" across.



http://www.sawmillcreek.org/picture.php?albumid=223&pictureid=3095

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/picture.php?albumid=223&pictureid=3094

Here's a few pictures of ways to do a crotch, besides a platter or a normal bowl, just take your time if you do the winged ones :).

[Joseph M Lary]

I would vote wing bowl also, just watch your fingers :D.

[Steve Schlumpf]

You could make a mirror matched set of winged bowls! That would be different!

Here is a winged that was turned last year - maybe it will help give you some ideas. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=111283

[Bernie Weishapl]

I agree a winged bowl would look nice out of that wood. Just don't put your fingers past the tool rest.

[Frank Van Atta]

I like the idea of matching winged bowls also.

[alex carey]

I'll also point to something Steve made a while back, perhaps my favorite post of Steve's.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=107191

[Mark Hubl]

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Send the piece to me for further analysis.

[Karl Card]

i got 4 cherry crotches drying right now. 2 x 76 x 24. I plan on making a coffee table and 2 end tables out of 2 of them and if all 4 dry without cracking I may make a coffee table and 2 end tables to sell.

I agree with the others that a twin set of bowls would look neat.

[Dolan Brown]

I think everyone has convinced me that I should make a winged bowl with them. Now if I can just execute the idea. I have turned a few small ones (and have all my fingers) but not one from a crotch.

The wood is green - cut yesterday (16th) - so I probably will rough turn them and store them for awhile and then finish turn. The wood is Chinaberry and I have heard it splits bad. I rough turned one 6" bowl yesterday and the wood didn't seem as wet as I expected but since it is still Winter the sap may be down in the wood.

Thanks for the comments and the photos - they all are beautiful.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Hi Dolan,

Yes I did turn that.

Here's a link to the thread where I previously posted it.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=105537

I'd post pictures instead of the link but I'm in Houston getting acquainted with my twin 2 week old granddaughters.

[Kaptan J.W. Meek]

"China Berry" is a great wood.. some of it turns like maple, and I has a lot of grain that can really pop with the right stain. It does split though.. I'd turn it rough, and dry it slow, and pray.

[Dolan Brown]

Hi Dolan,

Yes I did turn that.

Here's a link to the thread where I previously posted it.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=105537

I'd post pictures instead of the link but I'm in Houston getting acquainted with my twin 2 week old granddaughters.


Ken,

Thanks for the link and congrats on the new granddaughters.

[Thomas Canfield]

A demonstrator at SWAT last year showed turning the crotch section with the bark side as the outside to keep the most of the crotch grain inside the bowl. I have always done it the other way as described in earlier posts, but you should try one both ways. The winged bowl is a good exercise, but do watch your fingers and the air gaps doing the outer tips. I have recently turned some greed chinaberry and used Mahoney Walnut Oil and liked the result for a "using" bowl.