I'm Stumped

[Charles Cadenhead]

I have been blessed with this large camphor stump and I'm wondering what would be the best way to spilt it? As you can see there are cracks through the pith on both sides. Unfortunately they're at different angles from each other. The bottom 8 inches flairs out, I could cut that piece off and then reassess and split the larger piece following the crack or I could cut off the bottom and top 6 to 8 inches off, reassess and then split the remaining piece. I'm considering the first idea but wanted to ask the group for any better suggestions.

 

[Rick Urban]

I am thinking bowls as I make these suggestions...

1. If you cannot trim the ends to get past the crack through the pith you will need to take a wider cut straddling the pith to avoid it. The two remaining quarter sawn pieces could provide blanks for vessels or other quarter sawn projects.

2. Try to maintain symmetry either side of the pith, whichever way you cut it. (Notice the pith is closer to one side than the other. I typically cut through the pith perpendicular to the long axis to make a blank centered on the pith.)

3. If that blue area is stain spalting, consider where you want that in your piece(s). If it's ebonizing, look out for embedded steel.

4. You could also consider a 1/5 pie wedge from the tape to what appears to be a bark inclusion for a natural edge blank. (view of the clean bottom)

5. (view with the torn "hinge" from felling) Cut with the crack and trim the other end as needed to get passed the cracks. Looks like you could get up to 4 shallow bowls / platters that way.

6. Don't over think it. Make a decision, maybe some notes in your journal, and enjoy!

7. The longer you wait to cut AND SEAL, the worse the cracks will propagate.

 

[Charles Cadenhead]

Thanks Rick! I hope to cut it up tomorrow. I think the blue stain is chainsaw lube.

 

[hockenbery]

Unfortunately they're at different angles from each other. The bottom 8 inches flairs out, I could cut that piece off and then reassess and split the

I can’t tell where the split is on the on the side.you may want to shift the cut.
My first thought is one nice natural edge bowl.
If you don’t have the bark it will still be a nice piece.
The advantage here is the splits will probably be turned away
When making the cut- cut parallel to the bark face.

Then I would evaluate what is left. The hinge from the felling (arrow) often has pulled fibers way into the wood.
this part may have more NE bowls, vase, goblet, hollow forms, spindles. Camphor dries pretty well for me
You could dry a 4 x4 or even a 5x5 spindle blank for spheres.

Also the blue black might be from iron. Is it in the wood or where it was cut from?

Have fun
Work safely

 

[Paul M. Kaplowitz]

I don't turn Camphor. The smell chokes me.

 

[hockenbery]

I don't turn Camphor. The smell chokes me.

You are not alone in that regard.
It has become one of my favorite woods to work with. Turns, carves, and sandblasts nicely.
Occasionally Fresh camphor is a bit intense - I turn on a fan. walking into the shop the next morning is a treat.

I’d encourage every one to give it a try.
You’ll love working with it or hate it. Few are lukewarm over it.

 

[Breck Whitworth]

I have learned to turn and make Beautiful Utility bowls from Camphor. I personally love the smell when turning, it cleans out my sinuses. The colors in Camphor can be stunning. Now in answer to your question. What size bowls do you want to make or maybe what size bowls are you able to make on your lathe. These are the questions that will determine how you should cut up the base piece of this tree. If making the largest bowls you can turn, which is almost always my priority, make sure when you make the split that at least one side will give you a serious what I call a money bowl. if both sides will make what you are looking for great. I have learned how to nullify the smell from camphor so people can use them even for salad bowls. The key is letting them dry completely or cure completely.

 

[Dave Landers]

I find handy to have a few Stainless Steel Cable Ties in my chainsaw bin. They make great depth probes for cracks and checks. If it were my log, one thing I'd do is probe the checks on the end of the logs to get an idea of how deep they go. Can't get an exact measurement, but you can get a good idea if it's a deep or shallow check. That info helps when making a cut plan.

 

[robo hippy]

Well, that black stain is typical of metal stains, and I would be very careful around it. As for the cracks not lining up, they seldom do, and that can some times be from the tree having a spiral to it. Only way to tell would be to split it with wedges and see if the cracks spiral. For me, I could cut it similar to the line Al shows, but maybe rotate it back to line up with that crack on the top side of the stump. I might quarter the other half of the log, still being wary of metal in the tree.

robo hippy

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

I see what you did there, Charles.