Had looked for a piece of live oak large enough to do a 15 inch plus platter quarter sawn for a long time . Well What I finally found a 19 inch tree and cut a blank next to the pith. Not quarter sawn like Mike Mahoney uses but close as it gets. By the way Mike cuts some huge timbers , maybe 4 foot diameter.

 

Tree had been down maybe 60 days when I got to it. Then I cut the blank and did a first turn leaving the blank at 2 inch thick. I sealed all edges and toward the center with paraffin . After two weeks it developed some cracks so decided to finish turn. I started with the back and had some bad spots appear at what looked like a branch and discovered after reversing that there was a bit of pith that would be left if I finished in that orientation so I turned the front to almost complete then reversed again. That got most of the branch out so sanded back and turned again . For the final sanding and then some embellishment with a bead and burned line.

     Now decided that it needed some back embellishment. I did a crosshatch design with a Sorby mini spiral master, a middle with Decorating Elf, then the Wagner tool.

      Remember this blank is still wet so I bagged it to dry. It is now drying and not as yet warped as live oak likes to do and what hapens but the left over from the branch starts to curl . I filled that with black CA and now just wait. Started as 19 inch and finish is 17.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 25, 20206 yr by Gerald

That's spectacular, @Gerald! Sure hope it doesn't crack.

 

What did you use to burn the circular lines?

Fantastic.

Well no cracks opened up but it did try to turn into a taco. Will have to see how far this goes and if I can return it thin . Guess I could just hang it on the wall. Thanks for the comments

Looks great!  Hope you can keep it under control.  Lots to look at in that piece of wood.

Well, Gerald, you have more luck than many of us who have tried to make something of live oak.  It has a strong tendency to twist, warp and cup during the drying process.  I wish you all the success.  I am wondering if you should use cauls to keep it straight.  I don't have any experience with it, but just a thought.  

 

And, around there, those trees get about 5 feet across in the trunk.  A neighbor had one taken down last year and I measured the widest point at the base and it was 69 inches.  The narrow point was 60 inches.  I forgot how many tons it was.  And, to take one down, you have to get a permit.  You have to replace it with newer trees and keep them for at least 5 years.  Very strange rule.  Anyway, can't wait to see the end results.  That is looking fantastic.  

Well the taco collapse got worse and then I got an idea. Clamp it down with cauls. Had to place a block inside the platter to push in the center. Tightened a little more each day and wet the topside also. Finally down to less than a quarter inch rise from center. I will try today to sand off some and get it to sit without rocking.