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Catalpa Bowl

barbsiddiqui

barbsiddiqui

Joined
Jul 9, 2006
Messages
42
Likes
1
Location
WA State
Website
www.etsy.com
A yard tree taken down gave me lots of wood to air dry, and this is the first bowl made from our home Catalpa. Seven one-half inches in diameter, and about four and one-half inches deep.
CatalpaBwl copy.jpg CatalpaBwl3 copy.jpg
 
If you have more, try turning down the center of the a log section. I have one that I did and it is about 16" dia and about 8" deep, and has been stable for at least 2 years. The wood is very stable. A 1/2 " thick slice was cut from a limb and it never cracked.
 
BobCoates said:
If you have more, try turning down the center of the a log section. I have one that I did and it is about 16" dia and about 8" deep, and has been stable for at least 2 years. The wood is very stable. A 1/2 " thick slice was cut from a limb and it never cracked.
Click to expand...

I don't have any whole logs left; cut the pith out of all I saved, but I do have some rather big slabs I can't fit under my 12" band saw. Most of it is drying really well. I'll have to get the chainsaw back into them to even up the faces for turning, if I can.
 
barbsiddiqui said:
I don't have any whole logs left; cut the pith out of all I saved, but I do have some rather big slabs I can't fit under my 12" band saw. Most of it is drying really well. I'll have to get the chainsaw back into them to even up the faces for turning, if I can.
Click to expand...
Barb,
I love your catalpa bowl. I have turned a lot of it and really like the color and grain . If you turn end grain you can get some really nice grain patterns and it is pretty easy to work.2008-01-01 13.14.47.jpg
2008-01-01 13.14.47.jpg2008-01-01 13.14.47.jpg
 
Do you have a power sander? If not, you should get one. It makes sanding the inside a lot easier and will let you sand out that tear out and roughness. What tool are you using on the inside? You can't beat a freshly sharpened bowl gouge with a super light cut for removing chip out. I love to color fill catalpa. I final sand, then paint with acrylic paint. Sand off all the paint and you end up with the course grain filled with color.
 
Richard Coers said:
Do you have a power sander? If not, you should get one. It makes sanding the inside a lot easier and will let you sand out that tear out and roughness. What tool are you using on the inside? You can't beat a freshly sharpened bowl gouge with a super light cut for removing chip out. I love to color fill catalpa. I final sand, then paint with acrylic paint. Sand off all the paint and you end up with the course grain filled with color.
Click to expand...

Richard, that's an interesting idea. I do have a power sander, but didn't use it on this piece. I can also reverse-turn, which I didn't bother to do. Hand sanded while turning, and Hand Sanded a lot off the lathe, but still had a little tear out on the inside. I mostly used a curved carbide cutting tool on the inside, and am new at using it. I like the acrylic paint idea. Thanks.
 
Richard Coers said:
Here is a postcard I had made. The catalpa vessels are on the right, one black, one red.
Click to expand...

Interesting. All those pieces are very nice. The painted surfaces may work well with a dark walnut stain instead of acrylic paint, too. Lots of possibilities there. Thank you for the suggestion!
 
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