Time to watch oil dry....

Lookin' Good!

 

It's not always easy getting a nice turn when you have woods of diffenent species/densities

@lew That was a big challenge.  I wanted Oak and Walnut to give a contrast of a layered look which I got.  How ever when I started cutting into the oak I noticed that the chisel would more or less want to grab and make some pretty strange sounds like it was sounding dull, even though I was using the carbide tools.  But it still worked out okay I think.  I'm still trying to source a decent place where I can either order exotic wood species and of course the regulars like walnut cherry and such.  If I could find boards big enough or order multiples of 36 inches that would be do able.  Just gotta find a good source.  I haven't found many stores around here that carries a lot of the exoctic woods.  The stock that I have I basically purchased from home depot in the lumber section with the 2 by 4s and what not.  Same section.  So in other words deck planks.  How ever I've still got a lot to learn with this.  Still eyeballing on getting a bench top table saw as well.

23 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

I noticed that the chisel would more or less want to grab and make some pretty strange sounds

You should have also been able to feel the difference in the hardness of the different woods as you moved your chisel across the piece.   If you were to have a diagonal piece thrown in you would feel a slight hump as the chisel hits that section.  You also have a great deal of endgrain to cut with your wood blank glued up like this.   Not a criticism, merely a observation and helpful hint.   Try gluing your pieces so they orient like this picture.  I can be all the same species or two different ones like in the picture.  Much easier to cut and shape, especially in the beginning.  A solid piece is always nice but I rarely have such and prefer laminates myself.  

 

 

Below is NOT a challenge, merely a demo piece for you to see.

 

Started with gluing small 3/4 strips together into a board then cutting piece of same board to length and gluing again.  This was all created with scrap pieces of various hardwoods I had in stock.  

 

 

After being turned here is what it looks like.  The base is 3 pieces of mahogany glued up together.  No large solid pieces used.  Just some scrap strips. 

 

Yes I did feel that transitioning into the oak wood.  Which I have an abundant of at the moment.contemplating on attempting a small vase with the stock I have left.

I've never purchased from these folks but get their emails-

https://www.cookwoods.com/

 

They have a very large selection of exotic wood.

I will definately have to check those guys out.  As for projects I'm quite limited on what I can do for size wise.  Since I'm limited its only a 12 by 18 for now.  But I will definitely check those guys out I did order the extension for the lathe it should be here on the 15th.  How ever I'm still limited to a total size of about 11 inches square.

Just cut the finished piece off the lathe, when the bottom dries I'll slap a couple shots in here of it.  Another successful piece.

48 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

s for projects I'm quite limited on what I can do for size wise.  Since I'm limited its only a 12 by 18 for now. 

You can make a lot of nice bowls in the 10" to 12" range.

Here is the finished piece....

Nice! 

Here's a couple I've made-

I'm still getting used to the lathe so it will probably be a while before I start making anything like that.  Limited working space makes it kind of rough but I do plan on expanding eventually to make a small shop.

I know what you mean about a small shop. Mine is in the basement and there is very little space between the machines. Stuff is tilted and angled so that lumber on one machine will pass over another machine. My assembly space is a piece of plywood on a lazy susan bearing. I set it on 2 saw horses when I need to build something. Everything that is made has to be brought up the basement steps and through the living room to the outside. 

 

 

I was actually just outside gluing up the next piece I've gotta get more wood though LOL.  5 pieces is not nearly enough to try for a small vase well at least the size that I would like.  how ever the width might be a bit awkward 6 by 6 at least.  Hopefully the lathe don't wobble all over the place when its finally mounted and spinning

 

Andrew you are making progress. Carbide is not all created equivalent. Some types stay sharp longer than others and that may be what you are feeling. Cutting dry oak is not fun with any tool, so just bear with it and keep trying.

 

Lets look at the styles you are using. Look at some other designs in bowls and similar turnings  and you will see a common bond.......no flat spots. I could show this better but here goes. Take a pencil and hold it parallel to the length of the piece and rock it forward and back. If there is a flat the pencil will hesitate on the flat. Round overs and other round line turnings give a flow to your work that you will enjoy . So now you can practice this one . The point is to build upon each item to enhance your turning .

Yea I really like working with the walnut, I'm going to run next door to home depot in the morning and pick up more of that, I think I would rather use that to make the bowl than the oak I had purchased or a vase rather.  At least with HD its fairly in expensive because they quote it as floor planks or deck planking.  But its a good source for regular walnut at least.  I guess I like it more because its softer.

I was wrong the softer wood is NOT walnut it was Pine.  So yea Pine wood wound up getting some more of it this morning hopefully I should have enough to make a medium sized vase.

Pine is great for practice- as you said it's cheap. But, because it is soft, it can be a little difficult to get a smooth surface. Using sharp tools really helps improve the surface. 

 

I love turning walnut. It really can have some beautiful grain.

That's what I noticed using it took a lot of sanding with 60 grit to get yesterdays piece smoothed out and a lot with 220 grit and 400 grit.   How ever I don't mind doing a lot of sanding.  But I think if I'm going to attempt a vase for the first time I think that will work.  I'm hoping for at least a 13 to 15 inch long project.

Just thinking outloud here. How deep are you planning to hollow it? How are you going to hollow it?