Spalted Pecan Bolw

[Gilbert Vega]

I have been working on a pecan bowl 9" diamter by 6" deep (close to max on my Midi). I wasn't sure whether to fill to hole left by the bark inclusion or just leave it open. What would you have done? Thanks for looking.

[Cecil Arnold]

Gilbert, IMHO that is too big to fill.

[Tom Sherman]

Gill first I have to say that is awsome work. I personally would not do anything with the void, it adds character to the piece.

[Gilbert Vega]

The opening is kinda large, isn't it? Since it's "artistic", that means I can charge more for it. ;)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Gilbert you got that right about the hole means more bucks. I would not do anything to the bowl. It does add to it a lot. I like the form and finish. Nice work.

[Mark Pruitt]

I agree with the others. That piece is beautiful "as it is." No fill needed.

[Don Baer]

Very nice piece of art.

Oh and Happy Birthday.

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Unless you are going to fill it with ice cream, I'd leave it alone!

Bruce

[Jim King]

That hole is worth an extra $25.

[Henry C. Gernhardt, III]

Gilbert, that's a great looking bowl. Leave it as is. As others have said, the natural hole in the piece turns it from tableware to art.

[Blake McCully]

Gilbert,
Never, never, never fill holes from inclusions or whatnot. Like everyone says, that makes it art, ups the value.

Just my two cents.

[Corey Hallagan]

I think it looks great the way it is and it doesn't look like it would have been easy to fill either. Nice job!
Corey

[Gilbert Vega]

Thanks guys for the kind words. Sounds like you have convinced me to leave it alone. Thanks.

[Gilbert Vega]

Oh and Happy Birthday.

Thank you, I spent it doing what I like to do (turning).:D

[Mike Ramsey]

Great looking piece Gilbert! I would leave the hole as it looks
very good (natural) to me.

[Jim Stoppleworth]

The opening is kinda large, isn't it? Since it's "artistic", that means I can charge more for it. ;)

Gilbert,

Yours is far more artistic than mine turned from spalted apple wood. Mine will not fetch bigger bucks, LOML says it is not leaving the premises, it's hers(period, end of discussion). I wondered the same thing as you, and again the recipient of the bowl said, "DON'T you dare fill that hole!"

Yours also has better form than mine. Great looking bowl!

Jim

[Gilbert Vega]

Thanks Jim. Spalted pecan wood can look beautiful but it sure is a pain to work on. I imagine spalted apple wood is as well. I initially tried using Minwax wood preservative but it didn't penetrate very deep. Gave up on that and went with thin CA. I'm beginning to think that using either a pressure or vacuum vessel may be better. Maybe with a mixture of thinned poly and dissolved plexiglas.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Very nice piece Gilbert! Beautiful wood, form and finish!

[Barry Stratton]

That bowl is incredible!!! Well done, Gilbert. and happy, belated, birthday!