I've got a pretty special piece of wood on my lathe this morning. Funny, it's been laying outside my shop since last fall and I almost threw in the fire pit. Cut a chunk off this morning and decided to do a little hollow form. Was very surprised by the ambrosia.

 

 

It's near final shape but not quite there. I had stepped back several times and thought it was pretty good. But there is nothing like a picture to let a person really see. I can see it's a little fat at about center and I'll address that for sure. If I don't blow this up or go through the side it's going to be special I think. About 9" tall and around 6" major diameter. I'll leave as much bark as I can, I think it'll be a nice contrast to the color.

Looking good.  Never thought about taking a picture to examine the form.  Great idea.

Man that's pretty! Could that be flame box elder?

1 hour ago, lew said:

Man that's pretty! Could that be flame box elder?

Without doubt that's what it is.

Well, I got it off the lathe in one piece, actually there are lots of pieces but this is the one I wanted to save, pretty consistently 1/4". Up to the turning Gods now. Really hoping it behaves.

 

 

 

 

really hoping it behaves

Edited May 10, 20215 yr by Steve Krumanaker

Love the shape! How will you dry it- or was it pretty much dry?

5 minutes ago, lew said:

Love the shape! How will you dry it- or was it pretty much dry?

 

It's very wet, very, I actually had to wipe off my face shield several times it was throwing so much water. It's in a lawn and leaf bag laying on the shop floor. No sealer on it. I'll leave it for a month or two and then take it out and let it dry another bit before sanding and such. I have enough to get two or three more of these out of the log too.

 

Looks like the plan came together. I have not turned BE but the club president knows where 3 or 4 big ones are on his BIL's land. Maybe sometime.

If memory serves, I think box elder is a member of the maple family. The turnings I’ve done it works pretty much like soft maple 

6 hours ago, lew said:

If memory serves, I think box elder is a member of the maple family.

 

That's what I've been told too. I'm also pretty sure the same beetle that causes the ambrosia in maple creates the brilliant flame effect in box elder. Unfortunately, I've also been told it will fade over time. Still, it's striking when you first see it.

You can enhance the red with paints . We had a club member do it and you could tell it was enhanced.