redwood burl

[David E Keller]

From the hardest wood in the shop to one of the softest... This has been a weekend of contrast. I got some redwood burl from Larry Dubia a while back and this piece was full of gnarly goodness. I didn't intend to go this thin, but a design opportunity arose with one of my homemade hollowing tools.:o I don't own a postal scale, but this thing weighs next to nothing.

About 9 inches tall and 4 inches across. Finished with shellac and BLO. I noticed and liked the dark coloring surrounding the very small voids, so I fired up the burner to treat the opening and the edges of the large void to match.

Comments, criticism, and suggestions appreciated.
196269196271196270196272196273

[John Keeton]

David, I am really impressed!! This piece is 60% air! And, looks like you achieved a very smooth interior, as well. Really a nice one.

Did you use a steady to turn this? I am amazed it held together, though redwood is very sweet to turn.

[Michael James]

Awesome! That is the totally coolest 1/2 of a HF I've ever seen!:eek::D

[David DeCristoforo]

Finally done it. More air than wood. It's almost hard to see the shape in some of those pics.

[Steve Schlumpf]

That is sweet! Love the form, the wood and the fortitude to pull it off! Excellent work David!

[Tim Thiebaut]

That is amazing, I dont know how that held together but nice work!

[Jim Burr]

Where'd the other half go? That had to be scary doc...bet you wore your face shield! I can't imagine anything easy on this one.

[Steve bellinger]

Man i love it when pieces like that stay together . Ounce again you did that piece proud. Great job man.

[Baxter Smith]

Pretty fragile looking piece! Glad you didn't have just one more design opportunity. Very cool David!

[Nate Davey]

That is a stunning piece of work David. Beautifully executed.

[Michelle Rich]

neat "air" turning. I would never try this. Too scary. Glad you have gumption.

[John Hart]

Sheesh. You just set the bar up about 1000% I think I'll turn some air today and post it...just to beat you out. I love Redwood burl. Turns easy, sands nice. Was this dusty?

[Keith E Byrd]

This is great! Can believe how much air there is - what speed do you turn a piece of air like that?

[Cory Norgart]

You did it again Keller, Im dumbfounded. Very Nice hollow form. Very challenging with the major void. WOW.

[Jim Adkins]

I bet that was an interesting turning seige!! Not to worry about shaving removal from the inside.....Self ejecting!! Nice form Mr. D., good job. I too would be interested in knowing if you used a steady rest??

[David E Keller]

Thanks folks!


...Did you use a steady to turn this? I am amazed it held together, though redwood is very sweet to turn.

No steady, no tape, and no cling... There's not enough solid wood to allow for any of that stuff. I sanded this piece with the lathe off, and I could see the whole top flexing... Fun stuff!


Where'd the other half go? That had to be scary doc...bet you wore your face shield! I can't imagine anything easy on this one.

I absolutely wore a shield... I don't turn anything without one anymore.


neat "air" turning. I would never try this. Too scary. Glad you have gumption.

Come on now, Michelle... This whole thing weighs about 3 ounces and was turned on a single axis. Scary is a big platter sized chunk spinning off axis like the stuff you do so well.:D


Sheesh. You just set the bar up about 1000% I think I'll turn some air today and post it...just to beat you out. I love Redwood burl. Turns easy, sands nice. Was this dusty?

Not too bad actually. Of course, the mallee piece was done right before this and nothing would seem dusty after that. I guess you didn't notice the 'all air' piece sitting right next to this one in the photos...


This is great! Can believe how much air there is - what speed do you turn a piece of air like that?

I did this at about 850 RPMs. One other thing that I think helped me... I bought some 1/8 inch HSS cutters from Enco that I use in the ends of some of my homemade tools. That small cutting surface really cuts down on the drag and chatter when hollowing. The scariest part of this piece was the smoothing cuts with the scraper tips.

[Doug Palmer]

I am just in the process of getting the proper tools for doing HFs. Haven't really done any turning to speak of (a couple of small bowls to learn how the tools work), but have been reading like crazy trying to get an understanding.

Then you post a turning like this and I think, what am I getting myself into? No way can I come close to a piece like this. I tip my hat to your talent and artistic vision. Awesome piece.

[jwjerry w kowalski]

That's a cool piece, I don't know how you held it together, I think the lightness of it would add even more interest if seen in person.

[bob svoboda]

That's just fantastic. Can't even think of anything to say, but my eyes definitely bulged out when I opened your post. Well done, sir!

[Curt Fuller]

Wow Keller, that is just incredible! It looks like one of those ancient pots that an archaeologist would find partially buried in the remains of some long gone civilization. That is just plain beautiful! And I admire your skills a keeping it all (or what's there) intact. Again, just an absolutely beautiful piece of work!

[Rich Aldrich]

David - nice work and a nice peice of wood. I am also amazed it held together.