Box Elder Bowl

[Dick Parr]

I have had this box elder since last Oct sitting under my workbench and finally got to it. It had some cracks in it but I didn't think they went that deep. But after putting the blank onto a faceplate I found the cracks were deep. Also the piece is from a crotch so the bottom did not completely clean up and left some valleys.

At first with all the cracks and stuff I thought I would just pitch it, but thought maybe this would be a good piece to play with. So I got out the dremel and the wood-burner and started playing.

Sanded and polished the valleys after using the new vacuum chuck (after Jim and Travis reminded me I had one) which helped me clean 2-1/2 inch's off the bottom before I was afraid it would split in two.The one crack was pretty bad and I had to grind allot away to clean it up. The rest I just burned them in.

I'm not sure if I like it or not.:confused: My wife and the neighbors say they like it. So any and all comments are welcome.

It is 14" x 4" and is beall buffed.

[Michael Stafford]

Dick, it looks like you made the best of a bad situation and had some fun at the same time. I think you did a good job of salvaging the bowl. Woodworking and woodturning sometimes are more about correcting the mistakes and hiding the defects than about the tools and methods. Now it is art!!!!! :D

[Jim Ketron]

Looks like you turned lemons into lemonade to me!
Nice job Dick!

[Robert Mickley]

Cracks or no cracks its a fine looking bowl, I personaly think that was a great way to deal with it. theres some stuff around the house, mine and the cousins, that I would have tossed if the wife or her cousins wife hadn't got a hold of them.

If it won't hold soup its like Michael said, its ART.

[Travis Stinson]

Very nice save Dick! Quite a change from the before pic I saw.;) :cool:

[Ernie Nyvall]

I like what you did with the burning. Nice bowl Dick.

You are a brave man.:eek:

Ernie

[Mark Cothren]

Good one, Dick! Nice creativity...

[Jerry Clark]

Good save Dick, nice bowl!:)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Way to go Dick. Nice save on a nice looking bowl.

[John Hart]

I think it looks pretty cool Dick. Most of the wood I turn has one defect or another....And usually some cracks here and there. I never like them but everyone else seems to think they add character. This idea of burning really goes a long way and you've done well with it. Now, if I can just find my woodburner....:rolleyes:

[Keith Burns]

Great job Dick. Inovative way to turn a piece into something that may have otherwise been undesirable. I like it.:)

[Dick Parr]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. This piece is growing on me and I am glad I didn't throw it away. Since I have so much wood sitting around, I am sure I will get the chance to try it again.:D

Thanks again:)