Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Crotch orientation
Brad
>Back on 04 May there was a string of discussion concerning the best way to take bowl blanks from the crotch of a tree. I know this must sound really dumb, but I've read through this at least 4 times and I'm still not sure what the best orientation is. My neighbor just gave me a nice section of walnut trunk with a crotch, I want to make the best use of it. Will someone please explain the best orientation?
Re: Crotch orientation *LINK*
RevDoug
>If you're using the whole thing at oncce, I like the top of the crotch to be the top of the bowl.
Turn 'em round,
RevDoug
Wood Spun Round
Re: Crotch orientation
Thomas Skaggs, Foothills of Mount Level
>I don't know the answer but I'll give you credit for having an intriguing subject line. ;-)
Tommy
Re: Crotch orientation
Richard Allen
>Hi Brad
The flame figure of a crotch usualy occours along the pith. So try to cut through the three piths. make the pith are the bottom of the bowl to preserve the most flame figure. Of course make sure none of the pith is actualy in the bowl.
A bowl with a wide bottom provided a good area to display the flame figure.
If a crotch piece is a "Y" then when you cut the piece through the piths you should have 2 "Y" pieces. One on either side of the pith.
Re: Crotch orientation
Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey
>Tommy,
You're gonna get Ellis in trouble!
You coming to Bills?
Re: Here's a walnut crotch piece.
Al Crandall
>This plate just came off the lathe today. It has the bottom oriented closest to the piths in the crotch and displays the cascading grain pattern through the center of the plate. Richard's diagrams for splitting are right on for getting the most figure from a crotch piece.
The plate is 15" diameter x 1 1/2" deep.
Hey Al, tell us more about the paper ...
TDaniel
>in front of the bowl.
Retirement gift for 36 yrs of faithful service.
Al Crandall
>
Re: Crotch orientation
George Van
>A great illustration Richard!
Thanks, George
Re: Crotch orientation
Robert Peesel
>This is a piece of Cherry crotch that I turned last year. This is my preferred way of using a crotch as you get two pieces (one on either side) and depending on the placement of the grain, can be quite striking.
Also, keep in mind that while you get smaller pieces out of each log, keeping the best grain at the bottom allows you to show it off more than if it were located at the rim.
Bob
Re: Crotch orientation
George Van
>Hi Bob,
Was checking or splitting any problem in the feather grain?
Thanks, George
Re: Crotch orientation
Robert Peesel
>Nope!
I had no problems at all...ok, I had one. I left a small divot in the bottom of the bowl, but that had nothing to do with the wood!
While it wasnt the best piece I have ever turned, it was certainly one of the better pieces of wood.
Bob
Re: Crotch orientation
George Van
>Great, now with the crotches desireable I will never get any firewood in the shed!!
Thanks, George
Re: Crotch orientation
Brad
>Thanks to everyone for the comments and photos, especially to Richard Allen for the outstanding drawing!