I was given a red bud burl that's been sitting for a couple years. I did a preliminary turning to find out what's inside. Diameter is 11". There's a bark inclusion that runs through the bottom, so my first question is whether to cut a tenon or a recess for mounting on the chuck -- which is going to be stronger? (The base that you see in the photo is about 4", and I've scribed a circle at 2 ½" which is my normal recess size. I've got a Vicmarc 120 chuck with spare 5" jaws.)
Most of the inclusions will go all the way through once I start hollowing; that big one by the base is >1" deep. I'd rather keep the bowl natural, but am I going to have to go the resin route to keep this in one piece?
I don't have a great deal of burl experience -- none, in fact. And I'd rather not screw this one up; the burl was given to me by an arborist friend just before he died from cancer, and I have my daughter's wedding coming up...
Most of the inclusions will go all the way through once I start hollowing; that big one by the base is >1" deep. I'd rather keep the bowl natural, but am I going to have to go the resin route to keep this in one piece?
I don't have a great deal of burl experience -- none, in fact. And I'd rather not screw this one up; the burl was given to me by an arborist friend just before he died from cancer, and I have my daughter's wedding coming up...