A week or so ago we had a really nasty wind storm. Lots of tree damage and power outages in the area. There is a very old elm tree in our back yard that is slowly succumbing to Dutch Elm Disease but I have been reluctant to have it cut down while there is still life in it. The wind knocked off a branch. Although I could see part of it had died, the bark on the rest looked tight. AhHa! a natural edge bowl!

 

Put the piece on the lathe and started turning. The balance wasn't quite symmetrical but the thing looked pretty good- at first.

 

 

 

Noticed an area that was suspicious-

 

Then checked the opposite side-

 

That hole is from my finger. It was like mush. Even now, a couple of days later, it is still that soft.

 

 

The area for the chuck recess was too soft and punky, also. 

 

Oh, well, it was fun practice.

 

Interesting development.  Mother nature enjoys springing such surprises on us.

That's a shame.  It is no fun putting some work and time  only to lose it.  Is the punky part from the disease or just rot?

7 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

Is the punky part from the disease or just rot?

Dan, I think it is from the disease. The elms around here are almost all suffering from it.

16 minutes ago, lew said:

Dan, I think it is from the disease. The elms around here are almost all suffering from it.

 

At least you have some.  Ours are mostly gone.  I have one in the backyard that has been slowly dying for 12 years or so.  Arborist said it was only alive because there was an Ash tree growing butted up to it and the roots were intermingled.  Now the Ash tree is dead and gone so who knows how long the Elm will last.

 

I have been nurturing an Elm for about 20 years that started on its own somehow.  It is doing well.  Hope it continues.

Edited March 3, 20197 yr by HandyDan

Lew did you try CA on the tenon? Also sometime for theses areas you can soak in CA and then set aside for a month or two and try again

Thanks @Gerald. Still have the piece and that might work. Can't hurt anything by trying!!

Too bad, that looks to be some pretty grain, every piece is a learning experience!

 

15 hours ago, Gerald said:

Lew did you try CA on the tenon? Also sometime for theses areas you can soak in CA and then set aside for a month or two and try again

Gerald, how much CA would this soak up?  Do you buy it by the gallon?

1 hour ago, Cal said:

Do you buy it by the gallon?

  Last time I bought some I got a pint. It came with lots of extra little squeeze bottle and tips. I see now the price is up a bit for that size. My bottle still has some in it and that was almost 5 years ago.

5 hours ago, Cal said:

Gerald, how much CA would this soak up?  Do you buy it by the gallon?

I buy by the pint and like Lew Still have some in the fridg after 3 years. Yes Lew it has gone up a bit since I last bought too. We are thinking of getting up a club order.

22 minutes ago, Gerald said:

We are thinking of getting up a club order.

I see that Star Bond thin is $7.50 and oz. if you just buy 1 oz. But the price drops to $2.82 an oz. if you buy the 16 oz. bottle Plus Star Bond throws in 50 microtips, 4 applicator caps, 4 empty two ounce bottles, 1 easy dispensing yorker spout, 1 clog-free stopper and free shipping on that order.

 

6 hours ago, lew said:

I see that Star Bond thin is $7.50 and oz. if you just buy 1 oz. But the price drops to $2.82 an oz. if you buy the 16 oz. bottle Plus Star Bond throws in 50 microtips, 4 applicator caps, 4 empty two ounce bottles, 1 easy dispensing yorker spout, 1 clog-free stopper and free shipping on that order.

Lew even better with two , find a buddy.

6 hours ago, lew said:

I see that Star Bond thin is $7.50 and oz. if you just buy 1 oz. But the price drops to $2.82 an oz. if you buy the 16 oz. bottle Plus Star Bond throws in 50 microtips, 4 applicator caps, 4 empty two ounce bottles, 1 easy dispensing yorker spout, 1 clog-free stopper and free shipping on that order.

Lew, our club orders from Starbond twice a year. Clubs get a 15% discount right off the top but have to pay shipping.  Works out to be a lot less expensive.