I just removed a medium sized peach tree from my back yard (never made peaches). The stump is about two feet long and about 9 inches wide. I’ve been told that some fine bowls could be turned out of this type of wood. I painted the ends so that it won’t dry out too fast. I have a couple of questions (well it turns out more than a couple) about handling the wood prior to turning and about turning the wood.
1) How long after cutting is the wood considered “green” for the purposes of turning?
2) If I cut it into turning blanks, should I cut it across the grain so that concentric circles of growth rings show or should I cut it so that the grain runs across the blank? Please keep in mind this is Peach wood.
3) how long after cutting the log into blanks should the wood be turned?
4) How thin must the wood be turned so that the stress of the drying wood won’t cause cracks?
I ask these questions in part because I want to give the log to my Dad, who has just taken up turning. He lives a little over three hours drive from me and I’m not sure when I can get it to him. If the wood needs to be turned now, I might have to make time. If I have a little time – a week or two, I’d rather wait to take it up to him along with a rustic bench I built for him, but which needs a few more coats of Tung oil.
Thanks
Scotty
Replies
Rough out the bowls on the lathe as soon as possible while the wood is wet, you have a few weeks, the grain should run across the bowl, (you can cut them end grain but that is another story). Turn them to about 1.5” thick, rub cheap paste wax all over them and put them in cardboard boxes, (NOT plastic bags), stuffed with the wet shavings from the turning. Leave them for about three months then take them out and stack them in a dry spot away from direct heat for another three months or longer, (I have them in my shop loft that are ten years old). They will then be ready to re-mount on the lathe and finish turn.
Thanks. I'll be sure to take care of the wood and I'll pass this meathod along to my Dad.
Scotty
I agree with Napie. While waiting to get it you your father, keep it out of the sun and definitely paint both ends with wax based paint or latex is an ok alternative. There is lots of info. on this site and the web on turning green wood (google can help find other sites). Green wood is alot more fun to turn so don't wait to long.
Thanks. After painting the ends, I put the log in my garage shop. The temps here are still mild enough - 60s at night and low 80s in the day to keep the log green for a week or two while I finish the bench.
Scotty
Scott,
I agree with Napie's post if your dad wants to turn bowls in two stages and end up with a nice round bowl. However, I prefer to turn my bowls in one stage from a green chunk of wood. This results in a warped bowl with more appeal, in my eyes. I generally turn the walls down to a thickness of 1/8" or so (no more than 1/4"). I then sand the bowls to completion. The friction from sanding is enough to dry the bowls and I have never had one crack on me during this process.
Chris @ flairwoodworks
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
I'll be sure to pass this along as well. Its nice to have more than one valid way of going at the wood.
Thanks,
Scotty
Edited 3/30/2008 9:31 am ET by Scott_y
That is a whole other technique and one I also practice. I have heard the term “potato chip” bowl. I have put some small ones in the microwave that is really interesting.
Just put the log in a plastic trash bag and tie it shut, it won't lose any moisture at all and will stay green forever. At some point it will start to rot but you've got weeks and probably months before that even would start,
John White
Dang. Now that makes all the sense in the world. Thanks John. You da man.
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