I meant to put the measurement in there... it's a 10 inch bowl and it's almost an inch thick. It is a funky shape and I am definitely still learning but I was wondering if epoxy could save it. I do have quite a few blanks so this one may sit around until I get better. Thanks for the replys!
Ah good point thanks. I'll hang on to it until I get a chance to go to a meeting.That sounds like an appropriate thickness. It might be worth reaching out to local turners. I'm sure you could find someone who has experience with epoxy, could look at your bowl, and also offer some guidance that only an in-person visit could give.
Wow thank you for the detailed reply. I really appreciate it.I prefer wood without cracks but in my many years of turning and struggling I have patched many many cracks. First and most important, as you saw above, a cracked bowl can explode any time. The crack probably extends further than you see. Here is what i do. First I mount the bowl between centers. If there is a crack I readjust the centers until I can turn and get rid of the crack. that obviously reduces the size and often changes the shape of the bowl but in the end it's worth it because I have a bowl with no cracks.
when your turning, if you stop for any reason put a plastic bag over the piece to keep it from losing any moisture. When your turning the inside spray the outside occasionally with water to keep if from losing any more moisture. If the outside starts to dry while turning it will crack because the inside is still wet.
OK you've rough turned it and set it up and it cracks. YOu can put a butterfly patch on the crack to keep it from coming open but obviously that stands out when your done. That can be a good thing or bad depending on what you want. Cracks can be filled with epoxy and it holds pretty good. Thin cracks are difficult to get the epoxy down very deep and when you start turning you might simply go past it. CA will fill cracks but doesn't really hold well to impact your impacting it once per revolution.
I use strapping tape. If I've finished the outside of the bowl I use blue painters tape for the first layer and then cover that with strapping tape. Some use Duct tape but it's just so messy and if you cut even a tiny nick it can tear really easy. Nylon strapping tape will not ever tear unless you cut it with a knife. I turned a piece once that had huge voids. The voids were so large that if I put tape on it would sink down into the void and I would cut into it when hollowing. I put some hardware cloth screen over the void and shaped it like the curve. Then covered that with tape and was able to turn the inside safely.
When doing any of these things, stay out of the line of fire if at all possible. that doesn't guarantee you won't get hit by an exploding piece but it sure as heck reduces the chances.
Okay thanks. That is from a log that was sitting around quite awhile. I've had good success so far with my bowls drying in a refrigerator/kiln without cracking. That one and another from that same log cracked. It's maple and it's spalted so I was hoping it would make itOne problem that Is often overlooked is turning wood that is already cracked. Those treasures from the a neighbors firewood pile that have been sitting out for weeks or sometime days have developed radial cracks. These often are not seen in a chainsaw cut. They open up when the piece begins to dry.
Ripping fresh cut logs through the pith lets the wood move without deloping racial cracks.
Wood sealer on the endgrain slows moitpsture loss.
My list. If the habits of successful green wood turners:
1. Use Un-cracked Wood - wood sitting around iftennhas cracks you won't see until the open up
2. Work Relatively Fast - cover the wood with plastic if you leave for minutes
3 Balance The Grain - this lets the warp evenly distributing the stress
4 Turn Pieces With Flowing Curves - this lets the wood move right angles block wood movement
5 Turn Even Wall Thickness - the bottom can be thinner to include the tenon in the thickness
6 Control The Initial Drying - paper bags, anchor seal etc whatever method works in your region
As you can see the deck is stacked against novice turners. The good news is you won't be a novice turner long. A multiday class with a good instructor or a club mentor will get you to the intermediate level on 2,3,4,5.
It only takes you an hour! Haha ok seeing as I have a ton of cherry and oak I'll just keep working on those. Thanks for all the advice.
Thanks for the kind words. These are the types of demos we do at our club every month.I thoroughly enjoyed your video and learned so much. I will definitely watch it again as it has a lot of great information. I need to fix my gouge as it has an improper grind on it and has the low point at the top. Thanks so much for sharing your video.