Southwestern Style Birch HF

[Steve Schlumpf]

Been spending most of my turning time trying to figure out hollow forms. It’s fun but a lot more time consuming when compared to bowls. This birch hollow form is based on my loose interpretation of some of the Southwestern pottery styles. The wood has a number of knots, a few cracks (hopefully filled), some curl and a lot of personality. It was fun to turn and I managed to keep most of it around 3/8”.

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Hollow form is 9” in diameter x almost 6” high. Sanded to 400, two coats of Watco Natural Danish Oil, 4 or 5 light coats of Minwax Gloss Poly and then buffed.

I look forward to your comments and/or critiques!

Thanks for looking!

[Tony De Masi]

Beautiful work there Steve. I was wondering when we may get the chance to see this when I saw your post about steady rests.:D

Tony

[John Hart]

Holy Frioles! That is really attractive Steve. Nice finish and Great wood too!

[Paul Engle]

Very nice Steve, the sw forms are tops in my book and yours is no less so. Great finish and form,I think birch is one of the best.Superb choice and Excellent work Sir!

[Bob Hallowell]

Steve,
that's great your work just keeps getting better and better!

Bob

[David Fried]

Wow! That's a keeper. I love the grain. Looks like the grain got schmeared around!!!
I like how the subtile rim treatment doesn't distract me from the rest of the piece. Great balance.

[Rich Stewart]

That is really pretty. I love birch. There is a feller in Alaska who sells it from time to time. Stuff turns wonderfully and finished looks like marble.

[Benjamin Dahl]

Steve, that is really nice. great form, great finish.
Ben

[Bernie Weishapl]

Steve that is a beauty. I really like the form and finish. Well done.

[Ed Scolforo]

Bravo!! The form is wonderful, the wood and finish top notch. Now you just need to get rid of those distracting lines on the sides of the photo :)

[George Guadiane]

EXCELLENT!
Can't add much else that hasn't already been said (TWICE).

[Curt Fuller]

Wow Steve, that's a beauty!

[Alex Elias]

Nothing left for me to add. Trully fenomenal. Congrats

[robert hainstock]

:)What he said!

[Tom Sherman]

That's a very interesting piece of wood Steve and you have done it justice.

[TYLER WOOD]

yup, jealousy welling up over here. VARRRRYY NEYESHHH

[Brian McInturff]

Steve, I can't add anymore than what's already been said. Simply stunning!!

What were your tools of choice for this baby.
Brian

[Steve Schlumpf]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments!

Brian, I use the Monster Captured Hollowing System (with Lazer) made by Randy Privett. Had it for just a little while now and it honestly makes all the difference in the world when hollowing larger forms.

[Jim Becker]

Steve, that's a really fine turning! Nice work.

One thing you might consider for the next time you do a form like this is to give a little more lift to the top 1/3 of the piece...it's a little flatter than most SW-style hollow forms might be done, especially if they are patterned after traditional pottery styles. (If you really love these forms as I do, pick up a book about SW pottery that has a lot of pictures...it will keep you busy for years with new things to turn!!)

[Steve Schlumpf]

Jim, I appreciate your input!

I do honestly love the southwestern pottery forms and while I do not own a book on the subject (yet) I notice the form(s) where ever I find them. Closest thing to the form I was trying to turn is in the Fall 2007 Packard Catalog on page 62 - 3rd from the left of the segmented forms. http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=157815&Category_Code=

Like I said - I appreciate your input and if you have a book you would suggest I would be most thankful.

[Jim Becker]

Steve, I picked up a book called Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni by Allan Hayes and John Blom (http://www.amazon.com/Southwestern-Pottery-Anasazi-Allan-Hayes/dp/0873586565/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1195610314&sr=11-1) on the recommendation of Phil Brennion, former president of the AAW and someone who regularly works in these forms. (ISBN 0-87358-656-5) It has a ton of wonderful pictures and a lot of commentary on what makes each style unique. A great learning experience from the read and good pictures of forms to turn on the lathe.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Thanks Jim!!! Looks like I just found what I want for Christmas this year!