How to work with my first burl??

[Ron Kanter]

Friend gave me a a black cherry burl. It is about 12 by 15".

I am new to turning and have zero experience with burls so I have many questions. I searched the forum, but didn't find any total newbie questions and answers.

How should I prep the burl as far as removing any punky wood and the bark.

I would like to try to make bowls. What would be the best way to cut the burl to get the largest bowl or two and safely mount it on the lathe?

Thanks.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff111/RonKanter/Burls-MaxVermontTopWEB_zpsb79985a6.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/RonKanter/media/Burls-MaxVermontTopWEB_zpsb79985a6.jpg.html)

[image]http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff111/RonKanter/Burls-MaxVermontSIDEWEB_zps77644315.jpg (http://s238.photobucket.com/user/RonKanter/media/Burls-MaxVermontSIDEWEB_zps77644315.jpg.html)

[John Keeton]

Ron, I think what you have is a trunk base with a bit of root-not a burl. The bottom portion may show some nice figure, but you probably would be better off just cutting it in half and turn a bowl from each half.

[Ron Kanter]

John, thanks for your note. The picture may be misleading.
I helped cut down the tree so I know for sure that the burl was not at the base. It was 10 or 12 feet above ground.
Cutting it in half like a typical log might still be the best approach. That is what I am hoping to learn here on the forum.

[John Keeton]

Sorry, Ron. I was on my iPhone and didn't even see the second pic!! Definitely a couple of burls. Typically, they are cut off the tree trunk and turned with the bark side on top of a hollow form, or, if a bowl it can be oriented either way depending on the effect you are after. The "eyes" are the most intense figure, and those are on the surface. The "rays" run from the base of the burl (usually within the trunk a ways) out to the eyes. There will be some figure at the base of the burl, but usually more toward the outside surface.

Cutting it in half still may work, as that may let you see how deep the burl figure goes.

[Pat Scott]

Looking at the picture I don't think the burls are very big or worth the trouble. Like John said, a lot of times the burls are cut off the main trunk (think of it like a doctor cuts off a mole). Those burls don't look big enough to do that. Also once you cut into these, don't be surprised if there is no burl figure. Sometimes these small burls have plain grain.

The diagram below shows a burl sticking off the side of a tree. One option is to cut the burl off using the red dashed line. If you have a big enough burl, this shape automatically lends itself to a bowl. I don't think this option will work for you because your burls don't look big enough.

Another option is cut out the burls using the blue dashed lines. Dale Larson (current President of AAW) gave a demo at our club a month or two ago and he said this is how burls should be cut since they grow from the inside out. Cut this way, the cone part will have rays and the outside bark area will have eyes. This way might be a better option for you. But again, your burls look small so once you true up the rough blank you might only get a 5" or 6" bowl.

268404

[Ron Kanter]

Thanks guys.
Pat, diagram was very helpful.