Cherry Burl HF Design Advice.

[Nate Davey]

This is my first attempt at a Dr Keller'esk HF. This was not the shape I intended, but when I saw the figure in the base and at the top, I called an audible. On this, I wanted to leave the gnarly bark at the top. This required me to leave it REALLY thick. Since the top was thick and off balanced, I had to leave some mass at the bottom to keep it from tipping over. Should I leave the bark or re-chuck it and thin it down??? Dry sanded to 320, then BLO sanded with w/d 400 then two coats of shellac.

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[mike ash]

Nate - You've got an interesting piece of wood there!! From your photo, I'm having a tough time seeing what you've got to deal with in the top half. I can't tell what is bark and what is wood. The challenge for you will be to save the interesting wood, yet hold the integrity and balance/form of the piece. Personally, I like the walls to be a bit thinner. I'm attaching a few photos of a slightly similiar challenge I had awhile back. The shape is different, but you might be able to see some things that you like.....or that you want to stay away from.

I hope this is useful to you, Mike Ash



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[Baxter Smith]

Looks like a tough call Nate. I have done a couple of cherry burls where I left them thicker than normal because I liked the weathered texture on the outside. Going thinner would have lost that.

[Nate Davey]

Thanks to Mike and Baxter for your input. I went back and thinned it as much as I could without losing the top. I also, did the base so that the form appeared to be floating. Hope you all like it.
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[Rich Aldrich]

Nate - Really nice work and interesting piece of wood.

[David E Keller]

That's cool, Nate! I think you did the right thing with the revised version. I like the little interrupted bead detail near the waist of that piece... I may have to borrow that sometime! I love the viewing angle you captured in the second photo... That's a great representation of what I like about this type of piece. I've been giving some thought to making a spherical version like what you've got here... That way it could just wobble to what ever position it felt most comfortable!

[Roger Chandler]

Gnarly cherry burls..............they are "like a box of chocolates".........you never know what you're going to get! Sheesh!!!

Nice job Nate.........that one would have been firewood at my place! :eek:;)

[John Keeton]

Much improved!! Still not sure about the waist bead, but it does add an element of interest.

[Nate Davey]

Thanks all, it was really nice being able to see your tool while hollowing and not having to stop to remove chips

[Bernie Weishapl]

I like it Nate much better. Well done.

[Alan Trout]

Nate,

It looks great. Pieces like that are always tough.

Alan

[robert baccus]

Very nice and open minded work and wood. remember, art and perfection have no relationship.--------------old forester

[mike ash]

Nice job, Nate!!! I really like the 2nd view, it has an interesting mystique for me.On another note, thanks for your service to us civilians!!Mike Ash

[Baxter Smith]

Looks great Nate! I love picture 2. How much additional thickness to you think you took off?

[Nate Davey]

Baxter, off the top at least a half inch, it was really thick. Took an addition 1/8 or so off the bottom so the entire form is uniform now at about 3/8".