Re: turning crotch wood

Darrell

I am in possession of a very large 3ft long cherry crotch that is about 24" in diameter. I am studying this piece and trying to figur the best way to turn it. Here are my questions:

Should I turn it long grain and make a hollow form with the crotch's V as the base of the vessel? -This I think will provide me a vessell with flames on both sides - am I correct?

Should I split it across the dual piths and turn bowls or platters from the 2 pieces? -This I think will provide me with 2 matchbooked items that have a flame going across the middle and may require a bit of gymnastics to keep the flame intact.

Since you brought it up, I thought you might be the one to advise me on it. I can send you a picture of the log if you would like.

Thanks

Ray

I have added a page to the web site dealing with one attempt at turning > a yellow birch crotch. So far one side has been roughed and I will get > to the other as soon as possible. My intention is to put up a pages > dealing with how I work with odd shaped pieces of wood. Hopefully others > will do the same on their web sites. (hint, hint, hint) I think it would > be design insights for us all. I tend to turn natural edged pieces and > hollow forms while others will see boxes and vases in the same piece of > wood. > -- > God bless and safe turning > Darrell Feltmate > Truro, NS, Canada >
formatting link

Darrell

I have a Nova 3000 - a bit small, but I usually start the item out on a faceplate with 24 2" screws in the end - I have only had one get wobbly on me - with the headstock turned away at a 45 degree angle. I rough out to

15.9" diameter and then turn back to be over the bed.

The log is cut off at the point where the V began and is 3' long from there to (southern side of the V) where the tree formed the Y. I think all of the flame pattern will be in the area between the splitting piths that is embedded in the log. If I make the item vase shaped - narrow at base and flowing in an arc to about 14" in diameter then narrowing again to form the neck and mouth, will I be using the piece to its best display? (This is the type of vase I am considring making

formatting link

the flame show along two sides and then have a growth ring pattern on 2sides? It is not often that I get a piece of wood like this and I do notwant to ruin it....

Thanks

Ray