Apple natural edge bowl

[Nathan Hawkes]

This is a newly completed (haven't reverse turned the foot yet) bowl from an apple tree that died in a friend's yard. It is roughly 11" in dia., and about 8" tall. For an apple tree, it was huge. Roughly 15" in dia. It unfortunately succumbed to disease and ants (fortunately for me it succumbed to be turned on my lathe....)


The finish is Antique Oil, but it has only one coat so far, and is still very wet at the moment. Also, its missing bark in one spot from a chainsaw mark--couldn't avoid that. I was amazed that I didn't need any CA glue to keep the bark on. Hopefully it will stay on as it dries.

For those of you that haven't turned green apple, it is somewhat of an experience. It literally sprays water out of it as it spins! It felt like it was raining inside the shed! Sanding it was quite a challenge, and took three times as long as normal. I had to keep stopping and blowing off the wet dust off the sandpaper with compressed air.


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http://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=91727&stc=1&d=1214972596

[robert hainstock]

Yes, apple is great, (albei) very wet) green wood. :eek::):)
Bob

[Steve Schlumpf]

Nice looking NE Nathan! I like the form! Hope it remains intact as it dries - I've heard lots of folks have problems with fruitwoods cracking.

[Nathan Hawkes]

I hope it doesn't crack, too!!! Thanks for the compliments. I have really been extremely lucky lately, and have gotten a lot of really good, extremely interesting, colorful, and figured wood to turn. I plan to bring several blanks to donate to the local turning club's auction next month. (but not apple--they're all MINE!!) :D

[Bernie Weishapl]

Nathan that is a great looking HF. That is some good looking apple wood.

[dave barnhart]

The contrast between heartwood, sapwood, and barks is great. How did you cut the blank from the tree? I'm trying to visualize how you cut the blank to get the natural edge, but I'm not getting it.

dave

[Nathan Hawkes]

The contrast between heartwood, sapwood, and barks is great. How did you cut the blank from the tree? I'm trying to visualize how you cut the blank to get the natural edge, but I'm not getting it.

dave



I took a roughly 12" section of log, cut it down the middle, slightly off center--maybe 1" or so out of the pith, then laid that down flat & cut the largest circle I could on my bandsaw. I mounted it between centers & turned a tenon at a low rpm--300rpm is the lowest belt setting. I would've used a faceplate, but I wanted the very deepest bowl I could out of this unusual wood! The trunk was pretty irregular, giving the nice uneven edge, unlike the usual elliptical shape. I should take pictures of the whole process next time.