Plates or Platters

[Bernie Weishapl]

Have a question on Plates or Platters. I am having a hard time finding maple at least 11 1/2"+ wide, 6/4 and a couple of pieces 48"+. This is kiln dried stuff I am looking for. I have did some research and haven't found a whole lot of info but can you glue two smaller boards to make plates or platters?? Will it hold or will it be a headache? Most of the maple I have seen is quite expensive. I am wanting to make a set of plates at least 11" across. Any help would be appreciated. Talk to you later.

[Dennis Daudelin]

It is hard to find good wide Maple these days. I seem to be able to find mahogany that way (up to 16") but little else.

There is no problem with a glue-up for plates and platters! Make sure that you've got the best joint, a good glue (Titebond, a PVA works well), and some tight clamps. Let it dry properly and you're good to go!!

Best of luck!!
Dennis

[Mark Pruitt]

Bernie, if you're talking about edge gluing pieces to form a wider blank, why not throw in a walnut strip (or other species) for some contrast? Just a thought.
Mark

[Reed Gray]

Bernie,
I don't know if he ships yet, but you might try Urban Lumber Company here in Eugene, or actually Springfield, OR. www.urbanlumbercompany.com or 541-988-Wood.
robo hippy

[Andy Hoyt]

Hey Bernie -those three platters I did for the Platters 101 thing were glue ups. No trouble with that aspect at all. And for them I used two different species for two reasons. First to make them look better as Mark points out; and secondly, to aid in hiding the glue line. I just turned a glued up maple platter to completion and the glue line is definitely visible and (to me anyway) bothersome.

[Jim Becker]

Wide material can be had, but you need to "pay the piper" for it and source from a specialist. You can certainly join two boards and they will work just fine. If you want an "invisible" joint, you'll need to do very careful grain matching (quartersawn is best with it's vertical grain), carefully joint the edges and use a glue that has less tendency to show or "creep"...

Personally, I find that for turning, stock that doesn't need to be glued up is always best unless you are intentionally laminating or building from segments.

[Jim King]

I would see no problem with gluing three or four peices together. More stable and nice display of grains.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Thanks everyone for the info. Gives me something to think about. I do have some awful nice walnut pieces that might be nice with maple. Also some purpleheart that might be nice. Anyway it is appreciated.

Thanks Andy I went back and reread the post again.

[Rich Souchek]

Bernie,
This subject was icked around here solidly in this threads and in many following messages:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=41351&highlight=Platters
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=42798&highlight=tutorial+plate
Glue 'em up if you got 'em and pleqse powst the results.
Rich s.