Coolibah Burl Platter

[Kelvin Burton]

Just completed this platter from a burl I purchased in Australia in February.

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It's 15" across the widest point and approx. 2 1/2" high. Finish is Danish Oil, buffed and waxed with Renaissance wax. I carved the feet around the mortise once I had finished the turning. It spun surprisingly smoothly despite the obvious imbalance. Didn't get any curls in the shavings, mostly small chips. Wood was very hard even though it still had some moisture content. Surface continues to ripple after finishing it as the wood keeps moving ever so slightly.

[Dennis Ford]

Nice work, it looks even better in person.

[charlie knighton]

very nice, never turned any, I like the knarlly look

[Thomas Canfield]

Nice looking piece from the odd wood section. I think that you will find the unbalance issue with the Powermatic is seldom a problem with its weight and low variable speed. How much wood did you bring back from down under? Are you going to have some of these pieces at SWAT?

[Kelvin Burton]

Thanks Tom,

I brought 62 lbs of Kiwi and Aussie wood in 2 cases! A large Silky Oak platter rough turned, some Pohutukawa pen blanks, a Rata bowl blank and a piece of Kauri from NZ and 5 burls from Australia including the one above which was the largest. I hope to bring a few to SWAT if I can find the funds to go! Have another trip down under coming up in September for the birth of our 1st grandchild so funds are tight!

[Fred Perreault]

What is the procedure for getting the bulk wood back into the States?

[Kelvin Burton]

What is the procedure for getting the bulk wood back into the States?

Basically, just fill your suitcase (or two). Anything more gets really complicated because you have to get certificates that it's been treated, etc. Lots of hard to follow info on the appropriate Govt. Dept. web site. There's an earlier thread here: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?197609-Hollow-Form-with-Aussie-Burl-) and here http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?209419-Looking-for-Aussie-Burl-vendor-in-Australia.

US Customs doesn't ask about wood on the form you fill in and in Dallas you just use a computer terminal. Avoid anything with bark and any sign that bugs have been around and you should be fine.

[Col Smith]

Just completed this platter from a burl I purchased in Australia in February. .

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Not being picky or argumentative here, but how did you class this as a platter ? In Aussie this would classed as a shallow bowl or dish.
A platter is defined by having the inside base flat from rim to rim, the rim usually being raised.
Is the definition of platter different in the USA ?

No big deal just enquiring.:)

Col

[Kelvin Burton]

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Not being picky or argumentative here, but how did you class this as a platter ? In Aussie this would classed as a shallow bowl or dish.
A platter is defined by having the inside base flat from rim to rim, the rim usually being raised.
Is the definition of platter different in the USA ?

No big deal just enquiring.:)

Col

I've never seen a definition of what constitutes a platter vs a bowl before and one of our senior club members called it a platter on Saturday so I just went with that. I would be perfectly happy to call it a shallow bowl!