John,

If you are referring to sap wood vs. heart wood, I think the inclusion of the sapwood creates interesting visual effects. Although the sapwood may be softer, it certainly wouldn't be a weakness in the turning. From the pictures you posted, I didn't see anything that looked like pithy wood.

For actual pith, you can stabilize/harden it with CA glue. I have also heard of folks using Minwax Wood Hardener for the same purpose.

John Morris said:

That's what I figured Charles, I don't think anything I turn is going to ever hold water, maybe straw or dry plants or just for fashion.

I got a question, if the ideal way to turn is to avoid having pith in your blanks, are you guys telling me that we would need a large diameter log in order to get a standard diameter vessel out of it? So lets say that we have a project that requires a 8" diameter vessel or bowl, then does that mean I would need to find a log that is around 24" wide, then cutting around the pith which could be 6" in diameter or more, then the area left would be cut out for the bowl blanks? Thanks guys for helping this newbie out.
Charles Nicholls said:

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Thanks guys, great information,

The vase idea is dead for now though, I quickly realized the tools needed to hollow it out are not in my arsenal. However I will be buying a couple of those easy wood tools Lew in the near future, so I just set my vase aside, and tomorrow I am going to do a bowl! No hollowing tools required.

As you can all tell, I am as green as that log I was turning. By the way speaking of green, how much green is ok? Can I turn a log that was cut yesterday? Is there an optimal moisture content for turning?

Thanks again

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Sure you can cut it the same day. It'll have lots of moisture so wipe off all the surfaces and tools when finished to prevent rust. I've actually had liquid drops splash out of a turning.

With the bowl, just rough it out leaving it about an inch thick on the sides and bottom. Gather up lots of the turning shavings and pack the bowl , with the shavings, in a paper bag and close it up. The bag and shavings will slow down the drying process and hopefully eliminate checks and cracks- not fool proof but a good thing to do.

Here's some information on cutting the bowl blanks-

http://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/from-trees-to-turning-blanks/

http://www.edwardssmithfinewoodworking.com/blog/2011/02/15/preparing-bowl-blanks-with-a-chainsaw/

John Morris said:

Thanks guys, great information,

The vase idea is dead for now though, I quickly realized the tools needed to hollow it out are not in my arsenal. However I will be buying a couple of those easy wood tools Lew in the near future, so I just set my vase aside, and tomorrow I am going to do a bowl! No hollowing tools required.

As you can all tell, I am as green as that log I was turning. By the way speaking of green, how much green is ok? Can I turn a log that was cut yesterday? Is there an optimal moisture content for turning?

Thanks again

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Correct me if I am wrong Lew, but John you can rough turn a bowl or vase and get the general shape down then finish turning it when it's nearly dry, around 5% or less moisture. Don't forget that you can hollow with a scraper, and actually sometimes it's better to do so. especially with soft woods (My opinion ).

Here's a whole bunch of scrapers of all shapes and sizes, from the folks at Woodcraft, maybe you have one already hiding.

http://www.woodcraft.com/search2/search.aspx?query=Wood%20turning%20Scraper

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Charles Nicholls
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

Right, Charles, they are much easier to turn when the wood is wet. Scrapers work great and I use them because they are not as aggressive as the gouges. However, they can add to the cross grain tear out. Keeping them sharp helps. You can also make the final finishing cuts with a swept back "Ellsworth Grind". 

Charles Nicholls said:

Correct me if I am wrong Lew, but John you can rough turn a bowl or vase and get the general shape down then finish turning it when it's nearly dry, around 5% or less moisture. Don't forget that you can hollow with a scraper, and actually sometimes it's better to do so. especially with soft woods (My opinion ).

Here's a whole bunch of scrapers of all shapes and sizes, from the folks at Woodcraft, maybe you have one already hiding.

http://www.woodcraft.com/search2/search.aspx?query=Wood%20turning%2...

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Charles Nicholls
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

Thanks Charles and Lew, so that is what I have!!! I have some of those scrapers, I just did not know what they were used for. That makes sense that the scrapers would do great for roughing out the hollow, they are thick and robust, and would not chatter much either. Step by step guys, thanks for bearing with my questions.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

You're welcome. That's why I'm here John

As a side note, I noticed on the vase that you have a knot in the side of it. It's possible that it may do 1 of several things, pop; out while drying if you hollow the inside while wet, split and break apart or split and crack the vase. If you are going to set it aside for a while, I'd set it in a paper bag with shavings in it from the vase so it doesn't dry out so fast.

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Charles Nicholls
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

Great idea Charles!!!! Thank you so much, great tips!

Charles Nicholls said:

You're welcome. That's why I'm here John

As a side note, I noticed on the vase that you have a knot in the side of it. It's possible that it may do 1 of several things, pop; out while drying if you hollow the inside while wet, split and break apart or split and crack the vase. If you are going to set it aside for a while, I'd set it in a paper bag with shavings in it from the vase so it doesn't dry out so fast.

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Charles Nicholls
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

If there is only one thing I learned from all this, it would be that I need a chainsaw!!!!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker