Green Woodturning, Free Walnut

Mark Jerde · 2008-11-20T16:38:26+00:00

Could someone assist my googling? Two days ago the power company converted a walnut tree in our backyard to a pile of branches and a stack of 14" logs about a foot to a foot and a half long. I painted the ends of the largest of the logs before running out of old paint. Then I unpacked my new Harbor Freight (I know, I know) mini lathe and set of starter lathe chisels and made three practice "Christmas Tree Ornaments" from lengths of the branches. No finish was applied. This morning the two that are under an inch in diameter are ok but the 2" diameter ornament is badly cracked. How does one successfully work with green wood? Strip off the bark and let it sit a year? In any case I'm not going to be able to turn all the wood so there are some free-for-the-hauling walnut logs in Bowie, Maryland USA if anyone wants some wood. Do the obvious to the email address. -- Mark

Nov 20, 2008 24 Replies

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Arch 17 years ago

Hi Mark,

One lazy man's method of making stable spindle stock is by relieving the internal stresses of green wood by just letting an untreated log or limb, say about 18" long, crack & split by itself.

Not for all species, but often there is one deep longitudinal split (sometimes two) all the way to the pith that "releases" much of the internal stresses and strains. Then just debark and rive along the big split and cut up the two unequal halves into spindle stock sizes of your choice.

I sometimes slosh liquid dishwashing detergent (or whatever it's called in the UK) on the two halves before cutting them up, but that's another topic to discuss pro & con ad infinitum (and nauseum) along with alcohol soaks, microwaves, paper sacks, incantations, acts of congress (or parliment), etc. etc. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

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mac davis 17 years ago

Yes, that was my original point.. wet sanding with mineral oil.. You don't want to use "baby oil" because it usually has stuff added, such as perfume, aloe, etc..

My results were really stunning, for a few days.. lol As mineral oil not only isn't a finish, but also never dries, the nice shiny bowl soon becomes a dull, sticky dust collector..

I wet sand with natural Danish oil now and buff when cured.. MUCH better than baby oil, IMHO

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

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Mark Jerde 17 years ago

Thanks for all the replies. Didn't mean to take so long, but work and life have been interfering with my woodworking! Sure beats being unemployed though. ;-)

Making shavings is fun, but the *next* task is learning to sharpen the starter-set HF chisels. Time to unpack the grinder.

-- Mark

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Darrell Feltmate 17 years ago

Mark I realize this is an answer to a non question, but for your own sake make or buy a sharpening jig. I just helped a mill right (sp?) with one and he can sharpen anything else but considers lathe tools a whole new ball game. On the other hand, you may want to spend time learning to sharpen, not turning wood :-) Anyway, to blow my own horn and I have nothing to sell, try this

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Darrell Feltmate

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