WIP HF Form guidance requested

[Patrick Doody]

So I turned my first piece of buckthorn, I got a gnarly chunk of it from a friend. I'm really impressed with this wood. anyways, not exactly sure what to do with the base section. I could either continue the upper curve and finish with a smaller bottom, or leave mostly as is and finish hollowing out the bottom.

any thoughts, this is only my 3rd hollow and i haven't developed much of a style yet.

"sad cyclops"
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5193407279_60dd5a8438.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5193407155_c0de0f2257_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5194005362_1d57b004d7_z.jpg

Thanks All!

[charlie knighton]

you have got a good start, just keep trying new shapes to see how you like them

use saran wrap or duct tape when you have bark inclusions, the turning may implode while turning

looking forward to your expanded experimented forms

[Steve Schlumpf]

Well that sure is some interesting wood!

You didn't mention how deep you have the form hollowed to - so it limits what shapes are still open to suggest. Basic idea here is to make sure that there are no flat spots anywhere on the exterior curve. If you notice - its pretty much a straight line starting just below the shoulder and running down to the foot area. You could reduce the size of the foot and then adapt the curve from the shoulder to the smaller foot - the idea being a continuous curve - making sure there are no flat spots.

Like Charlie mentioned - its all about experimenting when learning to turn hollow forms. Looking forward to seeing this one finished!

[Patrick Doody]

Ahhh, yeah I guess that would help, eh? Its hollowed about 2/3s of the way to the bottom with enough room on the sides to continue the curve. Thanks for the tip.

[John Keeton]

Patrick, that is some neat looking wood. I have a stick of it that another creeker sent me, and I hope to someday think of a project for it.

I think you have received some good advice, but I will say that you have done a very nice job on the top portion of the form - very smooth lines, and a great finish cut. Curve that bottom in and you will have it.

One suggestion I would make - never take a piece from the chuck until you have finished it. Getting one to spin true on rechucking is sometimes impossible. You have done such a nice job on the outside, it would be a shame to have to recut that surface - particularly if you do not have much thickness. That is one reason to own multiple chucks. If a piece requires several component turnings, sometimes I have all three of my chucks in use.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Really nice looking HF. I like the form on the top portion. I like a smaller foot on HF's I turn so I would continue down with a nice curve to a smaller foot. John gave some good advice that by taking a piece off the chuck before finishing can be a real pain getting it back on and to run true. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes not. I also have several chucks which makes it nice. When I have bark inclusions I use Saran wrap as Charlie suggested after getting the outside turned to keep it together. Give it a couple of good wraps then finish hollowing.

[Patrick Doody]

good suggestions all around! I used the saran wrap trick. Luckily i was able to get it re-centered without any problems, next time i'll leave it on the chuck. I tried to get a continuous curve, i got it as well as i could without thinning it out too much. The Sorby hollowing tool is tricky. i think i see an upgrade in my future. i did achieve a continual curve but i'm not sure about the final form(a bit wide in places). still it's my nicest one yet, and i feel that I'm making some progress.

any thoughts?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5195349201_d7a16ee3d9_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5195948468_c97ae2973f_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5195348817_55ec2006d0_z.jpg

still needs some oil a buffing and some wax.

[Jim Burr]

Excellent job Patrick!! To add to the re-chucking thing...I use a pencil and mark an outline on my #1 jaw. That way, no matter what I do, I know exactly where to re-chuck at. I'd prefer however not to have to re-chuck the little mutt ;)

[Steve Mawson]

Very nice, like the lines now. Great improvement from the original. Unique wood.

[David E Keller]

What an interesting piece of wood! I love all the voids and inclusions.

I think you've improved the shape considerably, but I feel like the middle 1/3 of the piece is still a little flat... It may just be the photos.

I think it's fantastic for a 3rd HF(or a 10th)!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Wow - quite the improvement! Keep the idea of continuous curves in mind as you turn your next form. It does get easier - but take some time and check out some other turners and see what it is you like - or don't like - about some of their forms. Saves lots of time trying to figure things out for yourself when you see something that you want to try and emulate.

Have fun! Looking forward to seeing your next HF!

[Patrick Doody]

Thanks Guys, I agree with David's comments about the middle third being a bit flat, there is a slight curve there, but it's flatter than i would have liked, i was getting a bit too thin there and that's all i felt safe with. next time eh?

I've got to get some more of this buckthorn, this was the only interesting bit that i got, i have another small bit of it that's pretty straight grained, i'll keep that around for a utility project. but it was really nice to work with. thanks for all the help, overall I'm pretty happy with the results, probably the nicest thing I've turned so far. I'll post some pics after i've got some finish on the piece, it's still green and needs to dry too.