Cedar Bowl

Re: Cedar Bowl

Raymond Overman in SC

>I like the shape of the bowl and the figure around that knot makes it very interesting. It really finishes nicely with oil from what I've seen. I have a lot of this to turn and had problems with the first piece splintering badly even with sharp tools. You can't be too agressive with it.

Re: Cedar Bowl

Bill Hale / The Wood Spinner

>You need to address the wood in the correct direction with the very sharp tool. Love the smell but I think I have heard you should wear a good mask while working it.

You may want to consider sanding to 1200 or so and not using finish.

Very nice shape. You can trim the whiskers with scisors.

Good turning and be safe

Bill in Casa Grande, AZ.

Re: Cedar Bowl

John Lucas

>Sam

Of all the ones you posted tonight. This is my favorite. Keep up the good work. John

That is a really pretty piece!

Carole in VA

>Do finish it! No cracks?! Darn, I was turning a chunk of cedar two days ago when a friend stopped by. I quit turning for about 20 minutes and when I walked back in the shop I heard this faint little "snick...snick" noise. Walked over to the lathe and the little sucker had cracked on two sides and then had the utter gall to sprout a third crack as I watched! LOL

Re: Cedar Bowl

Sam Dean

>Thanks Raymond! I've found that as long as you ALWAYS keep the bevel rubbing, it cuts very well. Lift it for a second and cedar will tear out and splinter like crazy. I use a bowl gouge with a wide U shape on the outside and a 7/16 detail gouge on the inside when turning cedar end grain. Never touch the stuff with a scraper.

Thanks,

Sam

Re: Cedar Bowl

Sam Dean

>Thanks Bill. I was debating wether to leave it fuzzy or not.

Re: Cedar Bowl

Sam Dean

>Thanks John. It's funny, this was just a practice piece before I tackled some larger pieces. I almost chucked it in the burn pile (it's a very big pile....), but decided to keep it. I've done several others after this in the same style, about 10" in dia., but don't have any pics yet. Just thought I would post it to see what others thought.

Re: That is a really pretty piece!

Sam Dean

>Hi Carole,

Are you turning eastern red cedar? I've always found that it was one of the most stable woods around and very rarely cracks. BUT, if it already has microscopic stress cracks, or came from the wrong part of the tree, I've had it shatter like glass and fly apart. When I rough turn cedar, even large face grain bowls, I always bring it straight into the house so it'll dry faster. I don't worry about cracks, because it usually doesn't. You probably just got a bad piece.

Thanks,

Sam

Re: That is a really pretty piece!

Carole in VA

>Yes, Eastern Red (Aromatic) Cedar. It was an end grain piece, fresh cut from the trunk of a tree that had been down about a year. Cracks ran from the pith. Guess I lolly-gagged and didn't get to the hollowing part fast enough. I am new to this so I really don't know. You are right about cedar usually being stable. I have some boards that I resawed from the lower trunk section of the same tree and they are fine.

Re: That is a really pretty piece!

John K Jordan

>All cedar must not be created equal. I have a supply (local easter red cedar) that has not yet cracked during or after turning. However, it is well seasoned. Others have related bad experiences.

One thing I found is the end grain tears easily, just like buckeye. I've had good luck doing my finishing "cuts" with a curved cabinet scraper. I often dampen the wood (with water) just in the area where the grain tears.

Also, sanding heat easily checks the cedar I use. The cabinet scraper works better here.

I'll try to post a photo or two.

JKJ in East TN