Best way to cut this

[mickdundee]

Just cut this ring of birch and I was wondering the best use of it for bowl blanks. Should I half it through that Union on the side, or across, so that the union would be at the base of that bowl. Thanks

[TheHungrySquirrel]

I would cut that growth off and turn the two halves with at least an inch removed near the pith. If your turning from green to finished get the walls the same thickness to keep it in one piece.

 

The wood around that growth will be multi directional and could cause a lot of problems for turning and drying.

[mickdundee]

Ok. I had planned on only roughing out to a thick wall then leaving to dry. Do you think I'd get away turning it to finished. To be honest this won't be the on the lathe until I've had some more practice on the smaller bits and bobs and I feel confident of producing something vaguely bowl shaped haha

[TheHungrySquirrel]

You can do a twice turned bowl like you say turn it rough to shape around 1-2" thick and allow to dry then return once it's dry.

 

Or what I do is turn to finish on the lathe both power lathe and pole lathe, get the wall thickness spot on throughout the bowl and as it dries over a few weeks it will warp to a great shape.

[mickdundee]

Ok thanks. I've got 4 halves of this so might try both methods. Bowl gouge should turn up this week from eBay

[TheHungrySquirrel]

If your not going to get into that within a few days I'd wet both end with a sponge hen after an hour or so slap a thick layer of pva on both ends right up to the bark so the wood doesn't dry and split and then become firewood.

[mickdundee]

Ah ok. Thanks for the tip.

[TheHungrySquirrel]

If you get stuck for woodturning advice give me a shout.

[se7enthdevil]

if you want any advice on preparing blanks mick then pop back round.

[mickdundee]

Thank you both. No doubt if I get stuck I'll be back on here haha