Holly What to do- too big to cut up

Schtick · 02-20-2012, 06:05 PM

A local American Holly tree had to come down in my neighborhood, I thought I would get a few pieces to make pens. I gathered a my pieces then a good Semaritan with a chain saw gave me a 7" chunk off the trunk. So now I have a 13" diameter bowl blank, and I just don't have the heart to cut it up.

I have boiled wood in the past to dry them, but nothing anywhere near this big.

Any suggestions how to dry it out, it is about 20lbs too heavy for my lathe as it is?

Schtick

Brooks803 · 02-20-2012, 06:10 PM

What kinda lathe do you have? That'll answer if it's too big or not!

Beyond that I'm no help

TerryDowning · 02-20-2012, 06:30 PM

Depends on the lathe and it's capacity.

I would not hesitate to hang it on my Shopsmith, turn it green, then dry with either DNA or bag it and let it sit. (Provided I can find a speed reducer 750 rpm on a blank that size is not a good thing.)

Schtick · 02-21-2012, 05:33 PM

I know most bowl turners, turn when green, but this piece weighs out at almost 40lbs!

My shopsmith vibrates like crazy with heavy loads. It is an older one that only anchors on three points; two on one axle, and one on the other. I have been thinking about replacing the pivet mounts with something more fixed and stable. I understand there are forums just for Shopsmith owners. I could use some plans for a better mount.

It certainly has the hP to do the job. Schtick

nava1uni · 02-22-2012, 01:12 PM

You can seal the ends with anchor seal and let it sit for a while if you don't want to turn it green.

76winger · 02-22-2012, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schtick

I know most bowl turners, turn when green, but this piece weighs out at almost 40lbs!

My shopsmith vibrates like crazy with heavy loads. It is an older one that only anchors on three points; two on one axle, and one on the other. I have been thinking about replacing the pivet mounts with something more fixed and stable. I understand there are forums just for Shopsmith owners. I could use some plans for a better mount.

It certainly has the hP to do the job. Schtick

What model Shopsmith do you have? I kept watching eBay until I landed a decent deal on a used speed reducer for my Mark V. Now I can turn as big as it will physically handle since the speed has been reduced to 100 rpm.

Schtick · 02-23-2012, 08:10 PM

This is a shopsmith ER, but I will keep my eye out for a speed reducer. The original owner built two separate stands/legs for it, it works great for folding but it is not as stable.

02-20-2012, 06:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Schtick Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 40 Photos: 2	Holly What to do- too big to cut up A local American Holly tree had to come down in my neighborhood, I thought I would get a few pieces to make pens. I gathered a my pieces then a good Semaritan with a chain saw gave me a 7" chunk off the trunk. So now I have a 13" diameter bowl blank, and I just don't have the heart to cut it up. I have boiled wood in the past to dry them, but nothing anywhere near this big. Any suggestions how to dry it out, it is about 20lbs too heavy for my lathe as it is? Schtick

02-20-2012, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Brooks803 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Wagener, South Carolina Posts: 2,689 Photos: 169	What kinda lathe do you have? That'll answer if it's too big or not! Beyond that I'm no help __________________ "Give a lazy man something difficult to do and he will find the easiest way to get it done."

02-21-2012, 05:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Schtick Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 40 Photos: 2	Just thought it would turn easier dry I know most bowl turners, turn when green, but this piece weighs out at almost 40lbs! My shopsmith vibrates like crazy with heavy loads. It is an older one that only anchors on three points; two on one axle, and one on the other. I have been thinking about replacing the pivet mounts with something more fixed and stable. I understand there are forums just for Shopsmith owners. I could use some plans for a better mount. It certainly has the hP to do the job. Schtick

02-22-2012, 01:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
nava1uni Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA. Posts: 3,942 Photos: 18	You can seal the ends with anchor seal and let it sit for a while if you don't want to turn it green. __________________ Cindy San Francisco, CA "All the strength you need to achieve anything is within you"

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02-20-2012, 06:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
TerryDowning Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newhall, CA Posts: 306 Photos: 3	Depends on the lathe and it's capacity. I would not hesitate to hang it on my Shopsmith, turn it green, then dry with either DNA or bag it and let it sit. (Provided I can find a speed reducer 750 rpm on a blank that size is not a good thing.)

02-23-2012, 08:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Schtick Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 40 Photos: 2	This is a shopsmith ER, but I will keep my eye out for a speed reducer. The original owner built two separate stands/legs for it, it works great for folding but it is not as stable.