Hollow form orientation

[Thomas Wilson80]

Quick question - I was given a couple 8x8x10” sections of maple (still fairly wet) without pith. I would like to try my first hollow form and wonder if one of these would work to practice (I know it may warp or even crack but just want to give it a shot). What orientation should I do - end grain hollow (like a spindle) or side grain (bowl) orientation? Or would either work?

Thanks,
Tom

[Edward Weingarden]

You can turn them either way, but the majority of HFs are probably turned end grain. That's how I do most of mine, although I've done a number of them face grain. You'll get a different look to the piece if there's contrasting sap wood and heart wood. Since you have a couple of the blanks, why don't you try one each way.

[Thomas Canfield]

With the green wood, turning end grain hollow form will have less distortion. Side grain will almost certainly go oval due to side/end grain in wall. I'd vote end grain.

[Thomas Wilson80]

Thanks. Will do.

[Steve Schlumpf]

I normally use end-grain when turning elongated forms (vases) and use face-grain when turning SW style pots. You can twice turn a form if you wish to turn something you want to keep or you can turn to finish thickness and let the piece warp. No matter, just have fun with it!!

[Glenn C Roberts]

Steve, what does SW mean? Still wet? sideways? south west? some where?

[Steve Schlumpf]

Glenn, SW is short for South West. Sorry, should have just written it out.

[John K Jordan]

You might look at the articles on the other John Jordan's web site. He is well known for his hollow forms. He has an article on orientation and others with related information.
https://www.johnjordanwoodturning.com/articles.html

Part of the orientation decision is based on how you want the figure and rings to look and the type of shrinkage and warping you prefer if you don't turn rough then dry before finish turnings. In most maple the rings are not prominent but the figure can be. Some people turn forms with the pith down the center which can minimize or eliminate the out-of-round shrinkage.

JKJ

[Jay Mullins]

Thanks for asking, I was wondering the same thing. Abbreviations that are common in one area are not necessarily used in another.