How should I cut a piece of crotch to get the most figure out of it for a bowl blank? See the large piece of maple in smallish gloat in casual conversation.
There is a nice article in the woodturning design magazine on just such a topic. Summaris is to cut through both arms of the crotch down through the pith. Chainsaw is suggested as the best power tool of choice.
Andrew,
Ken is right about getting most figure out of the crotch... your limbs are not the same size, so I would suggest you trim them close to the "V" to try to keep in balance as much as possible... cut from one limb through the crotch (through the pith) then curt your bowl blanks out of the two halves.. watch your balance.