non-stabilized burl?

[GaryMGg]

Thought I'd try going another level using a burl blank with bark inclusion.
This blank is simply wood -- no chemicals added and I've never done anything
to try stabilizing blanks (that's what it's called, right?)
Hopefully, y'all fogive my stupid questions.

I think it's from a western big leaf maple and it's curly & burly.
A friend of mine sent me some of these and I figured it's time to go for it.
This is what it looks like so far:

While turning it, I realized -- I don't know what I'm doing!!! []
Here I'm watching this thing, and I realize I can see thru to the tube but
I'm taking ever so thin cuts and it's holding together.

Now what?

 

[gerryr]

I would suggest putting thin CA on it to help hold it together.

 

[GaryMGg]

When you say thin, do you mean take CA and thin it with something else or
take 100% CA and lay on thin coats?
At the thickest point this inclusion goes thru to the tube, it's almost but not
quite 1/8" thick.
I've never done any CA finishing, stabilizing, or whatever.
Thanks,
Gary

 

[wdcav1952]

Gary,

CA can be bought in different viscosities or thicknesses. Thin CA flows like water. It will soak into the wood and help to strengthen the wood. Where you can see throught to the tube, you can fill the void with sanding dust and thin CA. On fragile woods, some will let the CA soak in, turn until that layer of CA is gone, and then apply CA again and again as they turn the wood down to shape.

Hope this helps,

 

[kent4Him]

This looks like a good candidate for a contrasting wood filler, stone dust or metal dust. Maybe turquois.

 

[NavyDiver]

Great start! Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[GaryMGg]

Thanks for the ideas. It'll be several days before I can focus on this one again
due to other responsibilties, but at least I've got some ideas I can work with.
'preciate y'all.

Gary