scoliosis

[David E Keller]

I got a couple of big chunks of cottonwood a few weeks ago, and I thought I'd give it a try. I thought both of the pieces were full of curl, but this portion didn't have any figure to speak of... Nice color but no figure. The wood seemed fairly dry, but after watching it dry, I guess it had more moisture than I first thought. The other piece is really curly, but I'll be waiting on roughouts to dry before showing anything from that chunk.

Here's a little hollow form that I've titled 'scoliosis' for obvious reasons. It's a little over five inches tall with a walnut collar.

Anybody know someone who works in a bell tower that could use a weird little HF?

Comments and criticism appreciated as always.
192682192681

[Ken Fitzgerald]

A pretty little piece David. If one could only predict and control that movement.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Actually - this looks pretty cool and may end up grabbing more attention because of the unique warp!

[bob svoboda]

I think it works with that piece. Pretty wood and nice work!

[Hayes Rutherford]

I am curious how your cottonwood compares to what is common in north Idaho. The foresters call what we have black cottonwood and I haven't had much luck turning it. Usually soft and plain, dulls tools quickly but requires sharp tools to cut decently.
Your piece has a pleasant, soothing look to it and I look forward to seeing the curly stuff as well.

[Michelle Rich]

I think folks with astigmatism might really like this :-)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Really a nice piece David. Never know what is inside but I do like the wood.

[Tim Thiebaut]

Very nice David, that has a very nice color to it. My neighbor was trimming their big cottonwood last week and I managed to grab a few pieces from the biggest limb they cut, gives me something else to try out. The biggest piece is about "6-7 across with the bark on...and the bark is really thick on this, it has to be almost an inch thick. I am hoping to try a natural edge with one piece of it and see what happens, but at least I know what the wood might look like inside.

[Dan Forman]

Listing to starboard! Nice form and color though, looking forward to seeing the curly one.

Dan

[Curt Fuller]

"What hump?" ;);)

[Jim Burr]

LOL!!! I'm sending all my scoliosis patients to you now. Stick them on your lathe and straighten 'en right up!!

[Wally Dickerman]

Big mistake David...you should have left us wondering...how'd he do dat?

[Lee Koepke]

got to agree w/ Wally..... I thought you may have mastered the multi-axis hollow form technique!

[Cathy Schaewe]

Dontcha just hate that?!?! I had one piece that I weighed again and again, and the scale insisted it was dry - it was obviously a genetic forebear of your piece.

[Chuck Jones]

...and the bark is really thick on this, it has to be almost an inch thick.

Save the bark for your wood carving friends.

[Bill Wyko]

That's just a unique personality. No problem that I can see. really neat turning my friend.

[John Keeton]

David, it is a neat piece - warps and all! I am betting this was more the result of released stress than a dryness issue. Could be a combination of the two, but I have ripped on the tablesaw, many a piece of bone dry lumber, straight as an arrow, only to have it turn into a spiral when cut. No explanation other than stress release.

[Bill Wyko]

As John said. I was cutting a piece of Bloodwood on the band saw that was 6% moisture. at the end of the cut it litterally snapped into a cork screw. In my case it was usless, in yours it added to the piece. Again, nice work.

[Michael James]

Late to the party on this one, but cottonwood is well, cottonwood. Hump or no, the workmanship is 1st rate as always!. Surely there's a home for that piece somewhere! Good job, thanks for posting.
mj