Cherry Burl HF - Work in progress

[Kathy Marshall]

This is a branch of cherry that has a burl going completely around it. Tonight I started the roughing process, and I'll hollow it tomorrow.

This is what I started with. I mounted it so it was pretty balanced, not quite centered on the pith.
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Knocked off most of the bark to see what was underneath.
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The outside shape is pretty much what the shape will be. I may shorten up the neck a bit, and I haven't turned it all the way to the bottom so I'll have support for hollowing. The center has been drilled out, but only to about 3/4 of the depth. There's a void near the bottom and I wanted to be sure there was plenty of meat there. I'll just use my hollower to take it down to final depth once I've hollowed to that point.
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Just cell phone pics and they don't really show the burl figure. The darker areas are bark patches that just might turn into voids after hollowing.
Always happy to hear suggestions for improvement.

Thanks for looking!
Comments and critiques are welcome.

[Steve Vaughan]

Can't wait to see how this one turns out. Love cherry and this piece should look fantastic when you throw that finish on it. Nice!

[Mike Cruz]

Wow, yeah, I'm looking forward to more "in progress" pics, too. This ought to be a real looker, Kathy!

[Jeff Myroup]

I love cherry burl. Can't wait to see the final result

[Tim Rinehart]

Nice progress pics...can't wait to see the burl pop with some finish! Love cherry burl...wish you hadn't posted this...may have to dig some out of my wood pile.:D

[John Kent]

I know you are looking for suggestions and input, I can't help you there, but maybe someone with more experience will. Love these threads with "in progress pictures. Looks very promising!

[James Roberts]

Having never been blessed with a burl like that I can offer no suggestions but, like the others, I'm sure it's going to be a beaut! Post more progress pics, please.

[Rich Aldrich]

Nice work Kathy. I love cherry burl. I have turned about 12 burls. It is quite common in the UP -you know, that place where Steve Schlumpf lives. My family is in logging and I get some nice burls occasionally. Most common up here is spurce burl. I have turned one and have about 10 to turn.

[Kathy Marshall]

Well, I actually finished it tonight, or should I say this morning? :eek:
I meant to take more pics, but I was just trying to get it done. I did take one pic just before I parted it off in preparation for finishing the bottom.
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It's finished with Antique Oil, but I may add another coat, and I cleaned out all the bark areas (it was kinda spongy so I knew it was going to shrink all over the place.
I'll post a finished pic tomorrow night when I get back from the club meeting. It ended up about 7" x 5 1/5" and it's movin likes it's got someplace to be in a hurry!

[Kathy Marshall]

Well, here it is. I really enjoyed turning this, it turned like butter and it was like opening a present to see what was inside!
As you can see, it's moved quite a bit but I don't mind, just adds to the character of voids and burl figure. I was going to add another coat or 2 of antique oil, but I like the soft finish so I may just leave it as it is.

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Thanks for looking!
Comments and critiques are welcome.

[Mike Cruz]

Kathy, the wood is to die for! That it moved is kinda neat, and I agree that it adds character to the piece. Makes it look really old... I absolutely love this piece. I'd pop this one on a shelf at home if I were you...

[Marc Himes]

Nice job turning your hollow form, Kathy. Cherry Burls have some of nicest burl figure and your piece shows it off well. I like the progress photos too.

[Fred Belknap]

Kathy I like it, you did a great job of getting it finished.

[Kathy Marshall]

Thanks guys!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Beautiful piece Kathy. That present opened nicely. Good looking finish.

[Scott Hackler]

Very nice. Do you ever get any sleep? :)

[Baxter Smith]

Pretty work Kathy! The sapwood on the cherry burls I have turned green has been very prone to cracking. Hope yours stays under control.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Turned out really nice Kathy! I love turning Cherry burl - as long as I can keep it from cracking!