How much would it cost me to turn a bowl out of this ash burr?

Felled a large mature ash the other week and went back today to cut it up:thumbdown: (another story), anyway, it had a few nice burrs on the main stem and i cut one off as the wood looks pretty:biggrin:

The size here in the pics is about 18-20" by 18-20" by about 8-9" deep at its thickest point.

How much would it cost me for someone out here to turn it on a lathe into a nice ornamental plate come bowl (like in the last pic but shallower)?

What do i need to do to the wood first?

Does it need seasoning, if so how?

I'm in West lancashire so would need someone with a lathe pretty near to me (within 20 miles or so), and how quick could someone do it (if it didn't need seasoning)?

oops forgot to add "last pic"

that was quick

i am in huddersfield

come over and have a go yourself or i could turn it for summat.

it will probably crack and warp if fresh turned but that often just adds to the character

That's a nice piece of wood there sir. I wouldn't call myself a turner but I have a lathe and dabble now and then. I have turned kiln dried stuff and exotic bits and bobs. But turning green wood that I have cut straight out of a tree is very satisfying.

As Bob says it will probably crack and warp but if you want a perfect shape bowl TESCO sells that kind of stuff.

What I do with irregular stuff is have a look at it. (cup of tea) Decide on size then mount a faceplate and mount to the lathe. Get a pencil and hand turn it while holding the pencil against the wood this in turn gives an outline to which i set about it with my little MS211. this will put less stress on the lathe when that thing starts spinning and less time with the roughing out gouges.

I would take Bob up on the offer as it is a great feeling having something sit on your table that you have made yourself.

remember and protect yourself as Ash dust is not good in your lungs.

Hope this helps. (I'm on the Henry Westons tonight so brain is starting to sllloooow down)

Thanks for that guys, bob I might take you up on that offer, but it won't be till mid December ish till I've finished uni for the year. Always wanted to have a go on a lathe, is it hard?

I want it all cracked and wobbly, don't want a perfect bowl otherwise like you say gnome, I'd of bought one, thought this would be a good momento from that tree:biggrin:

Sent from my Galaxy S2

as previously stated you are welcome to do it yourself but as a seasoned turner that is a bit ambitious for a first attempt. my advice is seal all open surfaces with wax or a couple of layers of pva and leave for a few years before using.

if you want anything done sooner you can core it and leave it for 6 months and it should be dry enough for turning.

im happy to help you if you wish and could even turn it for you but im in berkshire. you could courier it to me unless you find a nearer turner.

you must expect to pay anything up to £100 for a turning that size.

any advice you want on the matter just give me a call 01628666191.

Steve

Thanks Steve, so even though I don't mind if it cracks or warps, do you still recommend to do it dry rather than wet?

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Take bob up on his offer and give it ago, if green I would rough turn it leave it in a bag with the shavings for a few mths and finish it off. But I have also turned green wood to finished product before and had no warping or cracking.

But if it did crack you could do something like this with fresh peeled bark. Or u could grind out with an arbortec and shape and sand yourself.

Thanks Steve, so even though I don't mind if it cracks or warps, do you still recommend to do it dry rather than wet?

 

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i would only do it dry if i didnt want it to warp once turned but if you dont mind it warping and most likely developing the odd split then i would have a go green. green timber is easier to turn, the only disadvantage is that any inbalance you have when its mounted could be made worse by the moisture content.

personaly i would use a bowlsaver device to cut out the middle and get a few more bowls from such a nice burr so if you want someone to do it for you make sure that they have such an item of equipment.

Hi Just one comment if you so turn it green then try and turn it in one go ,if you do part of it then leave it a day or two it will move (warp )

i would only do it dry if i didnt want it to warp once turned but if you dont mind it warping and most likely developing the odd split then i would have a go green. green timber is easier to turn, the only disadvantage is that any inbalance you have when its mounted could be made worse by the moisture content.

 

personaly i would use a bowlsaver device to cut out the middle and get a few more bowls from such a nice burr so if you want someone to do it for you make sure that they have such an item of equipment.