Quaking aspen burl, was pretty punky on one side so I had to try all kinds of things to turn it without a lot of tearout. Used thin ca in some spots, shellac until I ran out (can was almost empty), then used the wood hardener. I saturated it with danish oil for the last cut, then wet sanded with danish oil. Probably will put another coat or two of danish oil on it. It was almost too far gone to turn.
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What’s on your lathe?
- Thread starter Rusty Nesmith
- Start date
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
Removed some tenons off of some cherry bowls and roughed out a small platter/plate blank this morning. The platter blank looks like it will have some nice grain. I had forgotten about it and hadn’t sealed it so it was air drying for a month or more but fortunately hadn’t cracked.
Mark Hepburn
Artist & Chef
Really looking good, David.
How thick do you rough out your platter David? What size is the one you posted? I have 2 walnut crotch pieces sitting in the garage sealed and freshly cut around 3 inches thick that I just cut the pith out of. Haven't cut is circular or anything yet, not sure what to do with them but the grain is awesome.
This quarter sawn platter measures around 12-1/4” and should finish around 12” I try to leave 3/4 to 1” on the lip and 1 to 1-1/4” in thickness, depending on the size and spices of wood. This maple was a little dryer since the blanket had been air drying a month or two.
I’m roughing this one out like Mike Mahoney does, I’ll put it back on once dry using the worm screw again and put the mortise on and finish turn the back before flipping around.
Working on an aromatic cedar bowl, this is with sanding sealer, oil and lacquer. Need the finish polished and the inside done.
Thanks for the info David. So if my platter is 18 inch round should make it about 1.75 -2 inches thick with a lip of 1.5 wide?
It depends on your experience with the movement of walnut in your area. I don’t experience a lot of movement with walnut, in most cases. I have had a few bowls, maybe 10% move quite a lot. I think you would be safe with that.
Congratulations! Superb!