Two halves of the same log: I’ve cut the pith out. 9” across about 18” high. Thinking where to cut for (some) bowls…? 
-
July 2025 Turning Challenge: Turn a Multi-axis Weed Pot! (click here for details) -
Congratulations to James Seyfried for "NE Red Oak II" being selected as Turning of the Week for July 21, 2025 (click here for details) -
Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.
Where to cut?!
- Thread starter Michael Beswick
- Start date
Dave Landers
Beta Tester
I cut on my driveway, makes sweeping up the shavings easier than in the yard 
Sorry, couldn't help myself.
There's really no right answer. Mainly depends on what you want to make (I know you said bowls, but - utility? natural edge? etc?) I would probably see a couple of natural edge bowls (with 3 high spots) from that piece on the left - cut down the center of the 3 piths. Of course, then you may loose out if there's great figure inside that crotch... which might lead me to try to find a hollow form right down the center of that one.
The one on the right I'd probably be aiming to get rid of the branch's pith, so probably again down the middle of the piths. then depending on the figure you see, either a natural-edge or a smaller turned-edge bowl.
Whatever you do, notice what you do (remember, write down, etc) and what comes of it, and what you might have tried differently if you could go back in time. That info will help you with the next log(s).
If you cut down the center of the piths, one idea is to make one natural-edge and one turned-edge from the two halfs - that gives you good info for next time about what happens in a crotch and which you prefer.
Sorry, couldn't help myself.
There's really no right answer. Mainly depends on what you want to make (I know you said bowls, but - utility? natural edge? etc?) I would probably see a couple of natural edge bowls (with 3 high spots) from that piece on the left - cut down the center of the 3 piths. Of course, then you may loose out if there's great figure inside that crotch... which might lead me to try to find a hollow form right down the center of that one.
The one on the right I'd probably be aiming to get rid of the branch's pith, so probably again down the middle of the piths. then depending on the figure you see, either a natural-edge or a smaller turned-edge bowl.
Whatever you do, notice what you do (remember, write down, etc) and what comes of it, and what you might have tried differently if you could go back in time. That info will help you with the next log(s).
If you cut down the center of the piths, one idea is to make one natural-edge and one turned-edge from the two halfs - that gives you good info for next time about what happens in a crotch and which you prefer.
I would take a chainsaw and cut down the middle of the pith center and through the low part of the log. Cut it in half and is will yield two nice crotch platters or shallow bowls. Here is a photo of a suggestion...
Yes cut the one on the left so you end up with two crotch pieces.
"cut on my driveway, makes sweeping up the shavings easier than in the yard
Yup did mine I the backyard garden made a helluva mess
Yup did mine I the backyard garden made a helluva mess
I like the humor of sweeping up. I do mine on the lawn and then spread it around for the mower man i hire to clean up.
But I’m my own mower man! (Though it is only the size of a pocket hankerchief)
Dave Landers
Beta Tester
Yeah, sweeping up is not usually part of my work ethic. But leaving the shavings in the yard did not go over well (and our 'native' yard is only mowed about once per year, so no help there)....