Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Nov 07, 2006 01:46am | #1

   Gob,

   It sounds like you might be using the full diameter  of the limbs or cuttings you've picked up.  If your turning includes the pith, or center, of the branch, it will be very likely to split, since as wood dries, it shrinks a lot more, parallel to the growth rings, than it does perpendicular to them.  This causes radial splits to develop from the center outward as the wood dries out.  One remedy would be to split the rough pieces lengthwise down the center into halves, or better, quarters.  This will yield smaller but split-free billets.

   Also, the heat generated by friction in turning can tend to cause green wood to develop end checks, as the heated moisture leaves the wood faster than the wood can shrink.

   Regards,

   Ray Pine

1. 
   GOBEEN | Nov 07, 2006 02:28am | #2

   Hi back on line in the U/K.Thanks for the reply Joiners,yes I'm using the limbs as found,skewing of the bark which is quite thin,then sawing into the required length for to make a goblet like thing or even a candle holder,turning the branch as you say,but there does'nt seem to be any soft pith,this wood is real hard all the way through,in saying that,I also have a longer larger trunk piece,I notice looking at the instructional DVD/s.that the logs seem to be cut longways and not just across the trunk as you would cut down a tree,maybe as you say I'm doing it all wrong,but I'm trying to make something out of branches that would not be big enough to cut to shape the opposite way,I think you could be right about the heat factor,I'm taking it very slow this time,lucky I'm not paying for this wood,we are not realy allowed to take even a twig from the forest,but I'm to long in the tooth now to worry about it,this is my first sojourn into w/w.I'm retired and trying to stay usefull,love making all the sawdust,upsets er indoors,any ideas on my next move will be a help, GOB<(:->Gobeen <!----><!---->

1. 
   joinerswork | Nov 07, 2006 05:49pm | #3

   Gob,

   At the risk of giving offense, I'll repeat that if the center of the limb is  in the center of your turning, it will split sooner or later.  The only way of assuring the turnings don't self destruct is to not  "box the heart", that is, open the limb, by splitting it longwise so at the very least, the center of the limb is on the outside of the billet. 

   Perhaps instead of goblets, you can make smaller objects on your lathe from this material after you've quartered  or halved it.  Here in US, making pens/mechanical pencils is a popular pastime, the innards are available from several mail-order suppliers.  Chisel handles also come to mind. If you are acquainted with someone who makes lace, the small bobbins that are used in "tatting" are usually turned, all of them different patterns/woods, so that the lace maker can easily keep track of keep them, using several at the same time.

   Re: found wood from Britain's managed forests: I met a leader at a Boy Scout event who was showing off his walking staff that he'd picked up during a visit to Baden-Powell's estate, Gilwell Park.  He'd made it from a limb that had fallen after a storm, and he somehow got permission to take it with him.  It was regarded a great privilege to have been allowed to do so.

   Good luck,

   Ray Pine

1. 
   GOBEEN | Nov 07, 2006 11:57pm | #4

   Hello JOINER.I think I did not take it in first time what you advised about spliting the right way,now I've got it,can't wait to get out to my little shed in the morning,it's 8.48 here in the evening and rather cold no heating in my wee shed,I wear half finger gloves when it gets to cold,also about the staff,for the last five years I have been twisting a creeper IVY. round a Birch sapling,where I kept it tight and spiralled it now has a lovely twist without turning on a lathe,I'm going to make it into a walking stick,& yes the rules for taking it are very restricting,still I can see the point,it does stop any TOM DICK OR HARRY, chopping logs to selland thereby depriving the natural cycle from the forest floor,I live right beside a very very old woods,great battles fought there long ago,can't take from there,might upset a few ghosts,thank you for the info.good luck, GOB.<(:->Gobeen <!----><!---->