Norfolk Island Pine (NIP)

[Alan Weinberg]

Whether it’s NIP or Cook pine doesn’t matter but ever since seeing a buying a Ron Kent bowl some 37 years ago, I’ve loved the wood. Though Ron has passed, his eponymous site has good info re wood stabilization and his technique. So as I’ve started turning, I’ve found a source and have made some pieces with it. I’ve been trying to figure out the knot structure and came across a good source not only for decent size blanks but also an explanation of the knot orientation so as to turn and get a star.

No affiliation, but this site has sizeable blanks: http://www.woodturningblanks4u.com/norfolk-island-pine-turning-wood.html

and led me to the understanding of anatomy of NIP:

Norfolk Island Pine Tips

Norfolk Island Pine tips to improve your woodturning results.

www.woodturningblanks4u.com

I find it interesting that they recommend turning NIP end grain bowl interiors first, stopping when the desired internal pattern is reached, then turning the outside. Will take some thinking to do that.

Curious about the experience of others with this wood.

 

[Doug Freeman]

I find it interesting that they recommend turning NIP end grain bowl interiors first, stopping when the desired internal pattern is reached, then turning the outside.

Haven’t turned any, but it makes sense to turn the inside 1st to achieve the desired internal pattern. You then know where the OD needs to be.

 

[hockenbery]

find it interesting that they recommend turning NIP end grain bowl interiors first, stopping when the desired internal pattern is reached, then turning the outside. Will take some thinking to do that.

It’s not an NIP thing it’s the best way to hollow end grain open forms with thin walls. Thin walled open forms it is better to hollow first and then turn the outside of endgrain. Goblets and Natural edge vases are done this way. a light can be used inside the opening to get an even wall by the light color coming through.
Structurally turning the outside you can safely put some pressure on the wall while turning.
Put too much pressure hollowing the inside of a thin walled endgrain you will often crack the wall.

With NIP you can find the ring of knots from either side. However if they are in the bottom of the bowl you can control the width you see as you cut into them. Cut to center for the widest a 1/4 way through for narrow lines. Curves never match the straight downward slant of the limbs

1/4” wall bowls you can hollow last if you don’t get catches.

I have turned very Few NIP pieces and those have been hollow forms hollowed after the outside is done.
It’s a particularly messy wood. I don’t like turning it.

As a bonus NIP has a hollow pith so every bowl comes with a hole through the bottom.