Elm Tree Root Ball Art Form

[Thomas Canfield]

It is not a bowl or hollow, so I just called it an art form. Here is the final piece sittting on the dining room table, and also in attempt to put in photo stand. It is 19.5" across at max and 10" H with about 1/4" WT. The base is the trunk and the fingers are the different root sections. The last picture shows a 39 oz coffee container inside for size reference - it does not hold popcorn. Anyway, the LOML likes it at present, but it may go to someone else if the $ are right.

[Josh Bowman]

Awesome!! Do you still have all your fingers:D
That is very unique.

[bob svoboda]

Wow. That's a special piece. Looks like a lot of work and a huge pucker factor, but well worth it for a result like that!

[Tom Sherman]

Thomas that is a cool piece of work

[John Keeton]

Thomas, you do really a nice job with these - they are so striking in appearance and really are attention grabbers!

[Frank Van Atta]

That's a great piece.

"Cutting air isn't for sissies." - Foo

[David E Keller]

That's awesome! I've started looking out for a piece of wood that would allow me to turn something like this.

[Curt Fuller]

That is very cool!

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a really cool piece. Really nicely done.

[Rob Cunningham]

That's an amazing piece of artwork.
How do you turn something like that without it flexing all over?

[Thomas Canfield]

Yes, I still have all my fingers. Rule #1 is keep your hands and fingers on your side of the toolrest. I did a previous post showing the hollowing process and leving a core support for the tailstock. The internal finishing took a lot work with angle grinder, angle drill sander, and elbow grease with piece off the lathe. It was fairly well balanced and turned fairly well without all the bounce of unbalanced piece - just a lot of air gaps at fairly slow speed, less than 400 rpm. I would try another if the wood showed up, but feel lucky that this piece finished out without a lot of checking.

[Michelle Rich]

neat looking..glad you have all digits left! And thanks for the term:ART FORM..I've always needed just that lingo when I had no idea what to call the blasted thing!

[Dennis Ford]

Beautiful piece, you did a great job. Visualizing that, in the stump you started with is pretty impressive. Actually making it is even more impressive.
Nice finish too, I am interested in what you used.

[Joe Little]

Beautiful piece!