Saved from the Burn Pile

I haven't had much time to turn this month. We went on a trip to New Mexico, then hosted Thanksgiving at our house.

The following pictures are two goblets turned from some river birch. It turned fairly easily. I need some more work on the base of the goblets.

This is the wood I salvaged from some burn piles in New Mexico. It is cottonwood and Arizona Cypress. My truck and trailer was loaded down with wood on the trip back. The last picture is of a log I split in half. I am considering cutting a slab from it and making a small bench or stool. I can always cut quite a few bowl blanks and spindle billets from it.

This last set of pictures is of a Christmas ornament made from a piece of Arizona Cypress. This wood turned easily and has good looking grain.

I will have some more ornaments ready soon. Along with a few pens.

Cedar Bowl II

This is a cedar hollow form/bowl. It is finished with amber shellac. I turned it using a set of carbide hollowing tools. These tools produced a smooth surface that required less sanding than usual. The hollow interior follows the contour, with a wall thickness of about 1/4". All in all I am pleased with the turning, but not so sure about the shellac. Maybe I just need more practice.

I also wrote an article about this blog that was published in the ETWA Newsletter this month. A link to the ETWA website is posted under the links section to the right. You can navigate to this months newsletter to view the article.

Now for the pictures.