White ash knee vase form PIC

3/29/04, 11:02 PM #1

Mike Schwing from Maryland
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White ash knee vase form PIC

Mike Schwing from Maryland

>This was taken from a giant white ash right at the knee, I was able to preserve the knee line on the bark edge, with only a tiny bit of bark loss.

Didn't think this would benefit from a glossy buffing wheel finish so it has only walnut oil and wax (Mahoney's) on it.

Comments and critiques are welcome. Its about 10" tall, walls are about 3/16". Turned and finished wet. I have found that ash moves pretty much not at all while drying. I like this one, for a change.

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/29/04, 11:17 PM #2

David Eaves
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Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

David Eaves

>Hi Mike,

That looks really good. Well done on keeping the bark edge really crisp. The sap/heartwood contrast is very nice too. Interesting the Ash hasn't moved much.

Great piece and you should like it. I think I know what you mean about liking one... sometimes the strive for perfection can cause despair. I've gone through the same thing with my photography. Sometimes even the smallest of things narks me with a photo that is not bad really. It is a good way to be though, as long term it's how we improve.

Sorry for the drifting ramble there.

Great work

David

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 12:42 AM #3

Chuck Ludwigsen
Guest

Wow!!

Chuck Ludwigsen

>I say again, WOW!!!

That is a stunning piece. The grain, the subtle imbalance, the form. I like it, Mike. You turn very nice pieces, but this one ranks among those I would consider a hit.

Chuck

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 12:44 AM #4

David Hammond, in Powder Springs GA
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Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

David Hammond, in Powder Springs GA

>Beautiful Mike! I really like this one.

David

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 5:25 AM #5

Molly Winton
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1,190 posts

Registered: 1/4/04

Yowsa!! It's stunning Mike!

Molly Winton

>

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 1:45 PM #6

Brad Vietje
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Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

Brad Vietje

>Nice, Mike, very petty. I'm itching to run my fingers over those vertical lines, as I bet they've got a bit of texture from drying and shrinking, but the monitor is just smooth !

I've cut up a lot of trees, so I'm wondering if this is a regional thing: What is a "knee" on a tree ??? I think of am elevated root with a sharp bend ... (?) A major branch that turns sharply upward ?

Safe Spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 2:35 PM #7

Richard Allen
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Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

Richard Allen

>Wow Mikw what a nice turning.

Wally indicated that permision should be asked for before picture altering is provided as a critiquing tool. So Mike I am asking. Is it okay if I post a modifyed picture of your splinded work in an effort of critique?

Thanks

Richard

- - -

I have been turning wood for about 12 years now. I consume about 20 hours a week in front of the lathe making primarly bowls and platters. I keep thinking about making other "stuff" on the lathe, and ocasionaly I even get beyond the thinking part. But I take the most pleasure in bowls and platters. I have most every tool availble for the lathe but I am always looking for a new tool. More than looking for a new tool I am looking for a new hunk of wood. While a corner woodworker (sometimes called flat woodworker) can never have enough clamps, I find most woodturners can never have enough turning stock. The woodturning club I belong to has a Christmas party each year and part of that party is a "grab bag". We bring in a turning, that is judged by the people who come to the party. The people who make the top three turnings get prizes (like sandpaper or a tool). The real prize though is the exchange of turnings that comes from this colection of turnings. Some of my most cherished turned objects are the ones I have recieved from these grab bags.

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 3:27 PM #8

Mike Schwing from Maryland
Guest

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

Mike Schwing from Maryland

>Absolutely, please. I would have liked to make it into a shape that didn't remind me of a Nuddy Buddy every time I look at it. I was kind of limited because there was a bit of soft wood I had to work around but I'd be happy to know what you'd have made of it.

Go ahead and do your magic!

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 3:29 PM #9

Mike Schwing from Maryland
Guest

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

Mike Schwing from Maryland

>Thanks Brad. I just recently learned what the knee was, too. They're the first roots that you see attached to the tree at ground level. Apparently they're valued by boat builders because of their strength and timber framers.

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 4:01 PM #10

Richard Allen
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Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

Richard Allen

>Thanks Mike

There appears to be a slight curve to the sides. The impact might be different if the line was straight. A smaller foot might be nice as well.

I mucked with your picture to ilistrate this and while the smaller foot and straight side do have a different impact I am not sure the impact is of any more value.

Richard

- - -

I have been turning wood for about 12 years now. I consume about 20 hours a week in front of the lathe making primarly bowls and platters. I keep thinking about making other "stuff" on the lathe, and ocasionaly I even get beyond the thinking part. But I take the most pleasure in bowls and platters. I have most every tool availble for the lathe but I am always looking for a new tool. More than looking for a new tool I am looking for a new hunk of wood. While a corner woodworker (sometimes called flat woodworker) can never have enough clamps, I find most woodturners can never have enough turning stock. The woodturning club I belong to has a Christmas party each year and part of that party is a "grab bag". We bring in a turning, that is judged by the people who come to the party. The people who make the top three turnings get prizes (like sandpaper or a tool). The real prize though is the exchange of turnings that comes from this colection of turnings. Some of my most cherished turned objects are the ones I have recieved from these grab bags.

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 5:49 PM #11

Gary Bills in NC
Guest

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

Gary Bills in NC

>I like the use of altered pictures to critique others work. I don't see any reason why anyone would not want to have it done since it is a great learning tool.

I like the original work of these too examples though. The smaller base makes the bowl look unstable to me.

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 6:12 PM #12

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)
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Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)

>I think the smaller foot helps considerably (sorry Gary) but I still like the slight (maybe more than slight) fluid curve with the sloping arched rim. If the rim of the vase was straight but tilted (ie., not horizonal and not natural edge) then I think the straight sides would be better.

It just goes to show you that for any situation, ten turners will have 11 different opinions.

John

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 6:26 PM #13

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)
Guest

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)

>This is what I meant. This shape is less "organic" but I think the straight walls and the straight rim makes it look very architectural.

John

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

3/30/04, 7:43 PM #14

Mike Schwing from Maryland
Guest

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

Mike Schwing from Maryland

>They all look like Nuddy Buddy candy bars to me!

I like the use of altered photos in this method, its very easy to see what the editor meant.

When turning this particular piece, I fell victim to wanting to make as substantial a piece as possible/use as much of the wood as possible. Also, my chucking method was somewhat of a limitation with the 50mm jaws.

Truth be told, I did try for straight walls but was unable to successfully make them, and then adjusted my thinking to prefer the slight curve.

Thank you all!

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

4/1/04, 6:30 AM #15

GeeSeaWhy
Guest

Re: White ash knee vase form PIC

GeeSeaWhy

>I like the curve in the walls - and it does seem to be one long, smooth curve without any flats or sudden changes. And the shape of the rim, with one high point instead of the usual two, works very well. The base, however, I don't like. I'm not sure what to do differently, maybe tighten the curve to reduce the size, but as it is the piece seems to just stop without really finishing.

Graeme

White ash knee vase form PIC

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