River Birch NE bowl

[Travis Stinson]

My brother had a nice sized River Birch growing next to his house that got slightly uprooted during the hurricanes. When he got it cut down, he asked me if I wanted any of it. "Sure, I'll give it a shot". Very easy to turn, with just a little tearout. After the alky soak, it finished up at just over 15" across. Sanded nicely too, although it was like punching a bag of flour! It soaked up several heavy coats of Watco like a sponge, then Beall buffed.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c213/tstin27/TS265Small.jpg

[Keith Burns]

Man-o-man, Travis, why don't you take a plain piece of wood and make something absolutely wonderful out of it next time ? Geeeez, you're good:) :) :)

[Andy Hoyt]

Oh baby! Come to papa.

Ooops, this is a Travis piece.

Umm, that's umm kinda nice.

[Dick Parr]

Oh now that is nice. That is beautiful NE Travis and I love the size and shape.

Great job;)

[Michael Stafford]

Another winner, Travis. I like the shape and the color. Nicely done, it looks very natural and touchable.:D

[John Miliunas]

Travis, 'ol pal, you're killin' me over here!!! :mad: Say, how 'bout you guys check back with me long about the year 2012? Might have something decent, maybe even remotely resembling something like that! :D Nice job, Travis! :) How long between alky and finish??? :) :cool:

[Bernie Weishapl]

Travis all I can say is Wow. That is a nice piece. Great work.

[Rob Bourgeois]

Nice piece Travis..I have a few hunks of Katrina knocked over River birch in the shop. The stuff I had was cut the day after katrina and was put up in the shop without wax and still does not have a crack or check. I think its fairly stable. Did you have any cracks at all after the alky bath?

I was also told you can spalt it easily...if you want to play with that.

[Bob Noles]

Travis,

That is a prize.... beautiful work and wood.

Thanks for sharing

[Travis Stinson]

John, the time between soaking and finish turning was roughly 2 weeks.
Rob, that's what I've found with this too. It did have a couple shallow cracks on the outside a couple days after taking it out of the alky. A shot of CA glue took care of them and they were turned away when I finish turned it. I have about half of the trunk chunked up behind my shop to try spalting it.:cool:

[John Hart]

Travis,
I dont know how you do it. I just can't stand it. Another gorgeous piece just flies off of your lathe. Geez!:)

[Pat Jeddy]

It's so nice to have something to aspire to. Yeah, right!
Very neat. I like the finishing too.

[Jim Ketron]

Nice work Travis!
Nice job on keeping the bark on that one, that Birch is a bear to keep it on!

[Mark Cothren]

I'm with Andy... ho hum... nice bowl...

LOL

I like it a lot, Travis. Great work again!

Thanks for the picture!

[Bill Stevener]

Your still going Travis, very nice turning.

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>:)

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Purdy, Purdy, Purdy, Travis.

Bruce

[Loy Hawes]

Another great piece!

[Ed Scolforo]

Travis, You're too much!!

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

Nice........

read my sig line.......:mad:

[John Miliunas]

Nice........

read my sig line.......:mad:

Hey Stu, I'll bet they sell them at that Honda super-duper mall you guys got over there!!! :D :cool:

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Travis that sure does look great! The natural edge looks wonderful on it.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Nice........

read my sig line.......:mad:

What are you waiting for Stu!!?? We can't wait to see some fruits of your logging labor! :)

[Kurt Aebi]

Travis, what can I say other than another fine example of your craftsmanship!

Wonderful, beautiful piece.

[Ernie Nyvall]

That's just perfect Travis. Wow.

Ernie

[Travis Stinson]

Thanks everyone.:)

[Glenn Hodges]

15 inch natural edge river birch, I am impressed with the size and beauty of it. I let a river birch spalt and it had brown spalting which was interesting, and it soaked up the oil like this one did. Nice job on such a big natural edge piece.