The Adkins Project

[Scott Hackler]

Last year (2011), my friend Jim Adkins gifted me a very large block of redwood. Somewhere around 10" cubed. Even through the chainsaw marks, you could faintly make out the distinctive appearance of figure. This block felt dry and I knew that someday I would turn it and I wouldn't have to worry about roughing and re-turning.

Now comes the stress. Time after time I would stare at this block and think " I would really like to turn this, but don't want to mess it up." And time after time I passed, afraid of ruining this giant block of a wood that is super rare in Kansas. Plus I wanted to "do it justice" and turn the largest form I could out of the blank.

Forward to last week and as I was trying to get some projects finished up for SWAT in Waco, my wife said I should make something out of the wood Jim gave me. More stress! So I picked it up .....again....and off to the band saw to square it up. I needed to slice 1" off one side and after I committed, MORE STRESS....as the figure was revealed. Little eyes and figure everywhere! This was a block of redwood BURL!!! So on to the lathe and I just decided to go for it. Here is the end result. I am very pleased on several accounts. 1st, that I didn't destroy it and 2nd that this is my largest hollow form to date.

Anyone going to SWAT, can see this one in person. Hope Jim approves!!

7 1/2" wide x 7" tall. 7/8" hole, a little less than 1/4" thick. 4 coats of tung oil finish, 5 coats of WOP, beal buffed and Ren wax.

Comments and critiques welcome, thanks.

239651239650239652

[Dennis Ford]

Beautiful work, the wood is not bad either. The form is well done and the finish is excellent. I really like this piece and will be looking closely at SWAT.

[Roger Chandler]

Sweet curve on this Scott........and I like your smallish opening.......the grain figure running diagonally is nice and of course who would not like the eyes on it as well.....good use of a nice piece of wood............I think Jim would approve!

[Rick Markham]

Very nice Scott, the curve is superb on this one, as is the figure. I would definitely say that you did it justice. I have a few big chunks of stuff that I haven't touched because I don't want to "screw it up." Every once in awhile I will grab one and give it a go. (the stress of it helps keep me from making dumb mistakes) You did a wonderful job on this!

[steven carter]

Scott, I can't imagine anyone would not like this hollow form, it is beautiful. Probably hard to do it justice with a photo, I'm sure it looks even better in person.

[Allan Ferguson]

I have a big piece of redwood but I do not expect it to compare to this one of yours. Really nice all around.

[Chris Studley]

Very Nice Scott...

I Like it, great form, and wood. Good to see more beautiful work getting posted lately...

[Jim Burr]

Ya done good Scott! You orientated it beautifully and the finish is amazing!!

[Harry Robinette]

Scott
I won't be at SWAT so I put the pictures on my 55" HD TV and man did you do that chunk of wood JUSTICE.The curve is the next thing to total perfection.
I don't think you could do anything to make it better. The finish from what I can see on the big screen is perfection I can not see a mark anywhere on any of the pictures,You did real good. I think this is going to have allot of pictures taken at SWAT.

[James Roberts]

"...afraid of ruining this giant block of wood..." "...More stress..."

Glad to see you got that out of your system Scott, what a sweet piece. You have indeed done justice to a great chuck of wood. Love the form and finish, only wish I could see it in person.

[Rich Aldrich]

Scott - really nice work. The wood is awesome. I have a hollowing system that I bought in January and havent used it yet - no time. As of next week, I will have a lot more time at home, I wont be on the road anymore.

[Mike Cruz]

How could Jim not approve? Other than the fact that you didn't bead and burn it?;) I think you nailed it, Scott. I'm sure Jim's hands'll be all over it!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Wow Scott that is a beautiful piece and wood. He definitely would approve.

[Kathy Marshall]

Beautiful piece Scott! The form and the wood are both awesome and I'm sure it will get alot of attention at SWAT!

[Scott Hackler]

Thanks folks. Gonna pack up the stuff now and and leave for Texas in the morning. We'll be in Waco Friday morning!

[Jon Nuckles]

You work well under stress, Scott. Beautiful form and wood. Can't imagine hollowing something that size through a 7/8" hole!

[Scott Hackler]

Thanks Jon. 7/8" is giant compared to the 1/2" or 3/4" I do for my palm sized HFs! I wanted a small opening but knew that I wanted to try and use my Carter Hollow Roller rig and it has a 3/4" bar. I am unable to hollow the shoulders with the rig so I hand hollowed the top half with my new Trent Bosch 1/2" set. I have to say that his straight hollower is great. Now the goose neck and I had words a couple times and I realized now that it is a "feel" type tool. Going full tilt with that one and I would have snapped the form (and likely my wrist!).

[Ed Morgano]

Beautiful job Scott. Jim will be proud.

[Michelle Rich]

OOOOOOHHHHHH now this is WONDERFUL..

[Doug W Swanson]

I can't imagine anyone disapproving of this. It's beautiful, Scott! Form, color, etc it's got it all!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Beautiful!! Have a safe and fun trip Scott!

[Marc Himes]

Excellent work! Just beautiful. Enjoy your trip.

[Kelvin Burton]

Scott, it looked even better in person! Hope your trip home is going well!

[Jim Adkins]

Oh Yeah Scott, I definitely approve of the great job you did on this one. I did see it in Waco and it is perfect.
Thanks for all the help in Waco, that goes for "Yo" also, be sure and tell her.