Turning small tree branches
Highdesertwoodworker
| Posted in Turning and Carving on
What are some considerations in making short spindles (4″ long 3/4 inch in diameter) from small tree branches? I have a few hard wood (deciduous) trees with many branches about 2 inches in diameter.
Will it be more or less likely to bend due to weather after it has been turned? I will let them dry first before turning.
Replies
Many branches have internal tension because they are growing out from the tree. If you turn them using the pith as the center you could see them start to wobble. Try turning one green down to 1.25" or so and see how it behaves as it dries?
I agree. I will be very difficult to get anything usable out of 2" diameter branches. By the time you get past the bark and get rid of the pith, you won't have much left. You can try to turn some test pieces while the wood is green and see what happens. Leave as much wood as you can beyond the 3/4" you need the final piece to be and get rid of the pith and bark. You will be working with less than half of the original branch. Then let it dry (it will take a while; months maybe). I would be surprised if it doesn't split and twist as it dries to the point of being unusable. If you don't pre-turn it while green, it most definitely will split as it dries.
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