Thrown Madrone

[Scott Hackler]

This is the first piece of Madrone I have ever turned. I knew that untreated Madrone would distort and for the piece I had in mind, I wanted that. Unfortunately most of the wood vendors boil or pressure cook this lovely wood to try and stop the distorting that it naturally does during drying. I was lucky that Mike Smith with Century Woods brought an assortment of untreated Madrone to SWAT in Waco, TX.

My vision, knowing the likelyhood of a moderate to very distorted piece was likely, was a thrown clay pot form. This wood was super fun to experience. It turned like butter and started distorting and contracting upon itself within a few hours. I let it air dry for a couple weeks and then applied several coats of BLO, followed by REN wax. Turned to a bit over 3/16" thick is it 3 3/4" wide and 5" tall.

Comments and critiques are always welcome, thanks for looking.

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[Baxter Smith]

Pretty neat pot Scott. I have turned one piece of wet madrone and will agree that it was fascinating to turn.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Cool piece Scott. I have not turned any madrone. Mike didn't have any when I stopped to see him but said he would get me some.

[Reed Gray]

Worst thing about Madrone is that the lumber companies consider it a trash wood and it ends up in the slash pile. There are a few brave souls who will dry it for lumber. Cuts like butter.

robo hippy

[charlie knighton]

nice, Scott, i have never turned any, i like your dark finish, mostly i have only seen lighter finish pieces

[John Keeton]

Scott, I was wondering when you were going to post this piece - very nice work! While I am not fond of the distorted madrone pieces, you did a great job turning this piece and the wood is beautiful.

[Tim Rinehart]

I'm glad to see thrown refers to irregular surface...not that it came loose while turning!
That is a nice shape that I've not seen. Will make a great little pot for dried flowers, I think.

[James Combs]

I'm glad to see thrown refers to irregular surface...not that it came loose while turning!
That is a nice shape that I've not seen. Will make a great little pot for dried flowers, I think.

What Tim Said.

[Scott Hackler]

Thanks guys. The term "thrown" was supposed to refer to a thrown clay pot (on the potters wheel). I guess everyone can't read my mind! The neatest thing about this piece is that the distortion makes it a very "hand on" finished piece. I literally pick it up almost everytime I go by it, just to feel the surface. Very tactile.

[Reed Gray]

I had a piece similar to that one, it moved more sideways, coming from the trunk buttress area. I told a customer that I left it too close to the fire and it melted.

Colors can range from almost white in younger trees, to all shades of red, purple, and even black.

robo hippy

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

Good original form Scott, not crazy about the final form. I've only turned 1 piece of green madrone and I got to watch it warp as it was turned.