A friend has given me four burls, two 18" dia. and two 12" dia. They look to be sound but they are quite dry. I think they are yellow cedar. Any suggestions on how to prepare them for turning a few bowls? I'd like to use the McN center saver on them.
Thanks!
If they are dry they are probably not fit for turning. You may send them to me for disposal.
besides sending them to someone else for 'disposal' it depends on what you want to make.
How thick are they?
Any natural edge or are they just slabs.
Basically you need to rough the outside of the largest bowl. Then find the center of the piece to set the height of the cutter.
I have the Mahoney DVD which is very helpful. If you've just got your center savers and not had much practice with them I'd recommend the video and then practice on some chunks that are not as nice.
My biggest two problems with the center savers are first the difficulty of finding chunks large enough. My other problem is being too optimistic about my skill with them and trying to make the bowls too thin.
Tom Storey wrote:
Mark the centre of the sawn face. Drill for a screw chuck. Turn the outside and form a tenon at the foot. Chuck the tenon and core the inside bowls.... Hope this helps. If not then give me a call. Number on the website below....
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required