Courtland Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Ok turners, I got a log! Found it on the roadside in a stack of other logs from the same tree, it's about 12" diameter and 18" long, has the bark on as you can see, and it's wet! It weighs about 60 pounds or more, I think. What would yall do with it first, to prep if for turning? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 BE FAST ABOUT IT~!! If it were me - - - I'd chuck it sideways and not end to end. Reason? The splits. those splits may not cause it fly apart if it's sideways but might it it's chucked with the C/L down the pith. See those checks in the ends? That's from it sitting around longer than a day after cutting. The faster you turn it the better. If you get to it right away and get it all thinned down to the thinnest wall thickness you can. It prevents splitting but won't stop warping so you can get weird and interesting shapes when you think green wood and let it season afterward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 What cliff said, but I would split it at the large crack- to make a "half log". Then layout a circle on the curved side. Cut the circle on the band saw. THEN put it on the lathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtland Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 What cliff said, but I would split it at the large crack- to make a "half log". Then layout a circle on the curved side. Cut the circle on the band saw. THEN put it on the lathe. Lew, that large crack on the side is only the bark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 John, If you are considering a bowl (or similar shape) That would still be the way to go. Here's a link explaing how to get the bowl blanks from a log- http://woodshopmike.com/making-bowl-blanks/ Another- http://www.edwardssmithfinewoodworking.com/blog/2011/02/15/preparing-bowl-blanks-with-a-chainsaw/ Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtland Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 John, If you are considering a bowl (or similar shape) That would still be the way to go. Here's a link explaing how to get the bowl blanks from a log- http://woodshopmike.com/making-bowl-blanks/ Another- http://www.edwardssmithfinewoodworking.com/blog/2011/02/15/preparing-bowl-blanks-with-a-chainsaw/ Hope this helps It helps a lot! Thanks Lew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Nicholls Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 When you get a bowl out of that log let us see it for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtland Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 When you get a bowl out of that log let us see it for sure Oh you bet Charles! I still need to invest in a chain saw though. So it may be awhile before I am able to turn some serious roadside finds. Charles Nicholls 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Moody Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 I'm with Lew. Split it and then cut it out and turn a bowl. If not it will split at the pith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I have never seen a log that I didn't want to make into a bowl. There is nothing more enjoyable to turn on a lathe. Good luck with whatever you decide to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtland Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I have never seen a log that I didn't want to make into a bowl. There is nothing more enjoyable to turn on a lathe. Good luck with whatever you decide to do with it. Hey thanks Chris! I have it sitting in the shade right now, waiting to get a second hand chainsaw, hopefully I'll get to it before I checks all the way through. But I plan on sawing it in half length ways, as suggested above, and then cutting two blanks into circles at the bandsaw, then commence to turning! Thanks Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Moody Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 With that crack already there, you might be able to split it with a wedge. Courtland 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtland Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 You just gave me a great idea John I'm going to go buy a wedge from the Home Center that will get me through until a chainsaw comes my way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAGON1 Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 That logs checked all the way through in multiple spots from end to end. Not dried slowly. The cracks on the outside are natural to the tree bark on that species but the checks are sure signs its dried too fast. cut across it starting at ends to see if the checks end not too far in. Good Luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Wilson Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 John, Home Depot has an electric chain saw for less than $50 USGD (US Georgia Dollars). Bought one several years ago and love it. Charles Nicholls 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Nicholls Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I may have to check into one of those electric chain saws, people keep bringing me wood that is too big for the lathe or the bandsaw lol, and of course there is no way I am not accepting it THis is a typical piece I get from people. It's actually cut in half from what it was and I had to do that with the only hand saw I had ( a miter saw LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Wilson Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Yeh, Charles - I love mine - no gas to mix oil with, no pulling the cord a dozen times to get it started (maybe), works in both hot and cold weather - - - - of course, you can't take it out into the woods unless you have a generator with you - - - - Just put bar oil in the machine and there ya go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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