Spalted Maple Hollow Form

[Steve Schlumpf]

During the 4th of July weekend, I cut up maple log to get a blank for a hollowing demo. The poor 4’ log was so checked that I only got one blank out of it and it had a few cracks also! One of those things that when you spalt your own wood – make sure to check often during warm weather!

The hollowing demo was for our turning club and for a change this time around – I gave a short ‘How-To’ talk and then invited everyone to come up and give it a try! I personally think that the combination of a short lecture followed with actual hands on experience makes for a great demo! At least it’s different and you can answer real questions as they happen! This is the result of that demo!

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Spalted Maple, 8 ½” diameter x 5 3/8” high x ~ 1/8” thick, sanded to 320 grit and has several coats of gloss wipe-on poly. Will wait a week or so and then buff and apply Renaissance wax.

As always, your comments, opinions and/or critiques are welcomed!

Thanks for looking!

[bob svoboda]

Steve. I really like the shape and the wood is great. I like the fact that it looks quite different depending on which way it is turned. If you get tired of looking at it from one angle, you can turn it and it's like having a whole new vessel.

[John Keeton]

Steve, as always, you nailed the form! I really like the way the maple turned out. I know you weren't real happy with the condition of the wood, but it sure seems worth the effort. Actually has some very nice character to it.

[Ray Bell]

Very nice Steve. Lots of character in that wood.

[Tim Rinehart]

Nice looking piece Steve. I have been experimenting with spalting...mixed results.

I hope my demo piece does half as well as yours..I'm giving a hollowing demo this week for one of our clubs. The aptly named demo for this time of year is "Happy Hollowing". :p

[Ted Evans]

Beautiful wood and I really like the shape. Just the great quality of work expected from you. I have missed posts of your work. Ted

[John Keeton]

The aptly named demo for this time of year is "Happy Hollowing". :p:D:D:D Now, that is funny!!

[Roger Chandler]

Super Nice Steve!

[charlie knighton]

very nice....

[David DeCristoforo]

I really like this one, Steve. I have some pieces out in the back yard and if I get even close to spalting that nice I will be very pleased.

[Michael James]

As always, nice job all around. I guess I better go check my wood I'm attempting to spalt:eek:
Every morning I've been perusing the SW pottery forms book over coffee, and looking at the different tribes take, over time, on their forms. I wonder how I can "add" to the piece, and then I see something like this and realize that wood like this needs nothing added.
Thanks for sharing!
mj

[Josh Bowman]

Steve, great piece. I like the shape. Spalted wood to me, always looks great.

[Rich Aldrich]

Steve,

Nice piece. I wish I would have been at that meeting.

[Curt Fuller]

Steve, that's a beauty! I love your forms and your incredible finish. I have one question though. Why wasn't this, or one of you other incredible pieces entered in the Fall Turning Contest? Were mods not eligible?

[gary Zimmel]

Another beautiful piece Steve.

[Harvey Ghesser]

Another gorgeous piece, Steve! The wood is extroardinary!

[Scott Hackler]

Another winner, Steve. Very nice.

[Baxter Smith]

Very pretty piece. I am curious about what you did (if anything) to encourage the spalting and how long this had been cut before turning.

The winter storm damaged holly I cut and tried to spalt over the summer isn't nearly as nice as the storm damaged holly I cut and ignored!:)

[David E Keller]

Pretty piece, Steve. The wood has a lot going for it, and the form shows it well.

[Bernie Weishapl]

That is a beauty Steve. The form is pleasing and the wood seemed to turn out well.

[George Morris]

Steve another very well done HF. What no dye!! Looks great! G

[Steve Schlumpf]

Thanks for the kind words everyone - I seriously appreciate it!

Baxter - the maple was cut 2 years ago, anchorsealed, placed on a pallet so it was off the ground and covered with a tarp to protect from the elements and create sort of a micro-climate. Works pretty good but had some unseasonably hot weather and I forgot to check on the wood!

Curt - appreciate your confidence that I would be able to compete but seeing as how we were running the contest, mods were not eligible.

[Jack Mincey]

Steve,
The HF looks great and I'm sure that the demo was as well. I love doing demo's at my local clubs and school. Not only do I share a few of the things I know, but end up with another nice bowl as a result.
Jack

[Rob Cunningham]

Nice form and finish Steve, with just enough spalting to add some character. I hope you post a picture after it's buffed out, although I think the finish looks fine now.

[Michelle Rich]

wow, what a stunning vessel. Just gorgeous

[Dale Bright]

Steve, you have produced another outstanding hollow form, well done!

Dale

[Aaron Wingert]

Great looking piece Steve! I wouldn't change a thing, and the wood is just great.

[Bill Bolen]

Gorgeous piece Steve!. Love the form and that wood sure has a lot of character. That soft luster finish is the perfect topping...Bill...