What can be done with this hunk?

[Jim Hipp]

Either my brain doesn't work like everyone else or I need more turning experience to visualize the end product. I see this piece of Bradford pear and just can't figure where to start. The piece is roughly 20 inches tall with the largest trunk piece being about 11 inches across. Comments anyone? Thanks.


Attachment 296385Attachment 296390Attachment 296391Attachment 296392

[Tim Leiter]

Your pictures don't work.
Tim.

[Jim Hipp]

Yeah, I screwed that up. I did a separate post with the images.

[Tony Parent]

Here are the images from the other thread

[Dan Hintz]

I see potential for some winged bowls, plenty of crotch figure to go around, etc.

[Jim Hipp]

I see potential for some winged bowls, plenty of crotch figure to go around, etc.

Where would you make the cuts with a chain saw?

[Dan Hintz]

Where would you make the cuts with a chain saw?

Depends upon how long you want the wings to be... for an 11" diameter trunk, I'd probably aim for cutting each branch about 3-4" past the initial separation of the crotch.

[Eric Gourieux]

Jim,

I doubt you'll get a consensus on where to cut, because there is not a right or wrong answer. As I mentioned in the other post, I would make a vase. If you want to cut it up to make bowls, you could cut off some of the excess branches and trunk, leaving approx 3-4" beyond the crotch and cut through the pith of the trunk and largest branch. You will end up with a "Y" shaped piece and possibly a feather in the crotch.

One pic could be your vase option. The other is cut through the piths of branches, as I described.

[Jim Hipp]

Jim,

I doubt you'll get a consensus on where to cut, because there is not a right or wrong answer. As I mentioned in the other post, I would make a vase. If you want to cut it up to make bowls, you could cut off some of the excess branches and trunk, leaving approx 3-4" beyond the crotch and cut through the pith of the trunk and largest branch. You will end up with a "Y" shaped piece and possibly a feather in the crotch.
One pic could be your vase option. The other is cut through the piths of branches, as I described.

Thanks for the pictures. They help me to visualize the possibilities. In the picture of the wood between centers, did you turn that piece into a vase. If so, what did you do about the void?

[Shawn Pachlhofer]

you end up with a vase (or hollow form) - with a natural-edge hole in the side.

that way, it's "art" and sells for more.

[Eric Gourieux]

Yes, I rough turned it but haven't finished turned it, yet. When turning a piece with a big void, there is not much difference in how it is turned compared to those without a void. I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner, though. The voids do present a challenge, but the results can be stunning.

[Jim Hipp]

Yes, I rough turned it but haven't finished turned it, yet. When turning a piece with a big void, there is not much difference in how it is turned compared to those without a void. I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner, though. The voids do present a challenge, but the results can be stunning.

Nice piece Eric. Someday I will try something like that. Just not now.