Elm Tree Root Ball Progress

[Thomas Canfield]

After some delay in getting around to all the hand sanding, I finally got to parting off the tenon, buffing with Tripoli, and starting applying the danish oil/polyurethane mix finish. I buff with tripoli before and after each coat of oil, and now have 2 coats of oil on, but expect to put at least 3 more coats on and then Renaisance wax, but not in a hurry. It takes about 30 minutes to buff and another 45 minutes to wipe on/off the oil mix and need a still dust free shop since it is too big for my drying box. There is a lot of surface to this piece. It is about 19.5" D (warped from the 19" turned) x 10" H with most of the "bowl" section about 3/8".

1 & 2. Jam piece with shelf liner to remove tenon
3. Don Pencil 12" adapter for buffing - really needed for this diameter and shape.
4. Tripoli buffed
5. 1st coat of oil/poly

[Bernie Weishapl]

Now that is a beauty. I really like the form and finish.

[Jerry Marcantel]

You did good...... It's beautiful....... Jerry (in Tucson)

[David E Keller]

That looks great. I love the color in the oiled photo. Very organic, floral form.

[alex carey]

That must have been a lot of fun to turn. Nice job.

[Dick Rowe]

That is excellent!

Right now I can only dream about doing that kind of work.

[Dennis Ford]

Thats great, not only did you think up how it should look, you made it happen. It does not get any better.

[John Keeton]

What a transformation!! Fantastic piece, and nice pic mini-tutorial.

[Roland Martin]

Wow, that is scary gorgeous. You certainly did this awesome piece of wood justice.
Great job on this Thomas!

[Michael Short]

WOW !!! Very beautiful piece.

[Gary Conklin]

Looks great. Curious, what is this that you have on there to extend the chuck out further?

http://sawmillcreek.org/picture.php?albumid=242&pictureid=3608

[Rob Cunningham]

Great looking piece.

[Donny Lawson]

Nice and different looking piece.Do you have any pictures of before you started. I was wondering what it might of started out like.?
Donny

[Pete Jordan]

Boy Thomas is that a sweet piece! It musta been scary doing that.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Very impressive work Thomas! Love the natural edge, vivid colors and the large size! Must make a little noise while turning!

[Baxter Smith]

Great looking piece. My wife says she likes things that make a statement. This one is in CAPITALS!

[David Woodruff]

Thomas, Great work, having turned similar pieces, I know of the satisfaction realized when a vision for a piece of wood becomes reality.

It is fun turning air!

[William Bachtel]

Looks great. Curious, what is this that you have on there to extend the chuck out further?

http://sawmillcreek.org/picture.php?albumid=242&pictureid=3608
Powermatic sells a spindle extension, woodcraft can order it for you.

[Thomas Canfield]

Gary,

William is correct that it is an extension offered by Powermatic (not cheap). A local turner suggested that I buy one when I bought the lathe, and it has come in handy a few times to gain clearance to the headstock. In this case I could have made my jam plate longer, but the shaft extension (2 1/2" long) was easy to use and sturdy.

[Gary Conklin]

Thanks, guys.

[Jeff Nicol]

Thomas, I like the root ball beast you have there! It looks like the stuff I enjoy turning! I have a couple fo root balls that are in need of some dirt removal so I can get it on the lathe.

Keep us posted on it when it is all finished and buffed out!

Jeff

[Thomas Canfield]

Jeff,

It was a little scary to turn but fairly well balanced and not as extreme open segments as a piece of Mesquite turned earlier. It was turned green and had quite a bit of warpage. It was turned about 19" D swing and now has 19 1/2 D swing. I was not able to use your steady rest and had to hollow maintaining the core against the live center until hollowing almost complete. I was lucky to be able to use the jam chuck to remove the tenon, but no cracks. It was one of those unique opportunities finding the root ball in the neighborhood.

[David DeCristoforo]

That is one wild "air turning"! Musta been a fun ride...

[Allen Neighbors]

Scary? Lucky? I'd say, "Determined", also, Thomas... Really top job!!