Holly What to do- too big to cut up

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Schtick

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2010
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51
Location
Sterling, Virginia
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? :confused:

Schtick
 
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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.)
 
Just thought it would turn easier dry

I know most bowl turners, turn when green, but this piece weighs out at almost 40lbs! :eek: 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
 
Schtick said:
I know most bowl turners, turn when green, but this piece weighs out at almost 40lbs! :eek: 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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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