Duffy Poindexter
08-12-2007, 11:28 AM
Ok Folks.......
I need your help. I'm new to turning and am learning as I go so any advice will be gladly accepted. I have a beautiful piece of spalted maple (9x9x3) which was cut green and sealed. My intention is to create a shallow bowl. This morning I trimmed the corners, attached a faceplate and attached it to my new Rikon lathe. She was almost balanced from the beginning with very little vibration, but just to be safe I fired her up at a slow speed. Next I took my 1/2 bowl gouge and began turning to round. So far so good.
My problem is that there seems to be a lot of tear out on the end grain, especially at more heavily spalted (and a bit spongy) spots. My question is, do I need to somehow harden the spongy areas.....and if so what do I use? I assume that in general the wood will harden a great deal as it dries, making it easier to turn smoothly when I finish to dimension several months down the road. I have already tried sharpening my tools, and using a scraper to get a cleaner surface. Still am left with a pretty rough (and in places somewhat soft) surface.
Just a note......this wood is still very green and wet.
All suggestions welcome.......happy turning!
Duffy:rolleyes:
I need your help. I'm new to turning and am learning as I go so any advice will be gladly accepted. I have a beautiful piece of spalted maple (9x9x3) which was cut green and sealed. My intention is to create a shallow bowl. This morning I trimmed the corners, attached a faceplate and attached it to my new Rikon lathe. She was almost balanced from the beginning with very little vibration, but just to be safe I fired her up at a slow speed. Next I took my 1/2 bowl gouge and began turning to round. So far so good.
My problem is that there seems to be a lot of tear out on the end grain, especially at more heavily spalted (and a bit spongy) spots. My question is, do I need to somehow harden the spongy areas.....and if so what do I use? I assume that in general the wood will harden a great deal as it dries, making it easier to turn smoothly when I finish to dimension several months down the road. I have already tried sharpening my tools, and using a scraper to get a cleaner surface. Still am left with a pretty rough (and in places somewhat soft) surface.
Just a note......this wood is still very green and wet.
All suggestions welcome.......happy turning!
Duffy:rolleyes: