Catalpa? Bowl

[Deane Allinson]

Someone gave my wife a chunk of wood from a barn junk pile. It was a nice sized piece, but I had to cut it up to get rid of some severe checking along the growth rings. I think that it is Catalpa ?? from the smell and all of the "hair" it kicks up when turned (googled it). It really kicked me. Lots of tearing out and a little too deep for my tools. I bent a 1/4" gouge. Nice wood but definitely no fun to turn. 4" x 4"
Deane

[John Keeton]

Deane, you did a really nice job with it - notwithstanding the "fighting back" that was going on!! I have a piece of catalpa, but have not turned it yet. There is some similarity in appearance, but not having seen any finished out I couldn't say.

[Dennis Ford]

The form looks good, I would say that you won the battle even if you did not enjoy it.

[David E Keller]

You're really kicking our some nice looking forms. That wood is nice, but I wouldn't know catalpa from anything else. Nicely done.

[Baxter Smith]

Nice shape, nice wood. Great work!

[Keith E Byrd]

Deane- very nice shape and wood - Good job! I have not turned any catalpa but I have a stack of it - it is much lighter in color than what you have - it does have big grain patterns like yours but much lighter. The smell is not a pleasant one.

[John Hart]

Nice gentle curve through the upper 2/3 and a nice transition to the curve on the bottom. Great execution. Wood looks great, and it's doesn't look like you had a battle at all....a battle you certainly were victorious.

[David Reed]

Battle or not, it looks like you are victorious. the form and finish are very well done. Being a west coaster, I also would not know Catalpa from Lychee!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Deane that is a really nice looking piece. Really like the form and wood looks good. Looks to me like you won that one.