Lathemaster
Member
I recently obtained a a few limbs from a maple tree that was being trimmed in the local area. Not quite large enough for a bowl I decide to try an end grain vessel with a natural edge. Even managed to keep some small pieces of the lichen that was growing on the bark.
The piece was turned green to a rough wall thickness of about 1/2†and then dried using paper grocery bags. For my basement shop I use 3 bags to start â€" rotated every other day for the first week, then 2 bags for one week and then one week air drying in the shop. This brought the rough turning from 30% moisture content to around 12%. The vase was returned to the lathe and returned to a wall thickness of around 1/4†and sanded to 400 grit.
Finish is 5 coats of Waterlox Tung Oil satin finish â€" took 4 coats before the maple stopped absorbing all the oil. After curing for 3 days the vase was buffed using the Beal buffing system.
Thanks for looking
Mike
The piece was turned green to a rough wall thickness of about 1/2†and then dried using paper grocery bags. For my basement shop I use 3 bags to start â€" rotated every other day for the first week, then 2 bags for one week and then one week air drying in the shop. This brought the rough turning from 30% moisture content to around 12%. The vase was returned to the lathe and returned to a wall thickness of around 1/4†and sanded to 400 grit.
Finish is 5 coats of Waterlox Tung Oil satin finish â€" took 4 coats before the maple stopped absorbing all the oil. After curing for 3 days the vase was buffed using the Beal buffing system.
Thanks for looking
Mike
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