Six More Catalpa Wood Bowls

[W.Y.]

Many members here are aware of the history behind that 102 year old catalpa tree that was cut down beside the post office in Creston BC because it was becoming a danger as it was dying.
I was one of the local artisans that the town allowed to get some pieces of it .

Here are some more bowls that I have made from that tree. I just got the last coats of finish on them this morning. They range in diameter from 5.5" to 8.5" in diameter. .

Have not had much time in the shop or on the computer lately because I am spending some quality time with another one of my sons from Alberta who is here on a one week holiday.

 

[PenTurnerfromMaine]

Very nice, how is the Catalpa to work with?

 

[W.Y.]

Tim.
It is classified as a hardwood but is certainly one of the softer ones in that category . It turns beautifully but sanding can be a bit of a problem with the alternating soft/hard annuall rings.
Apart from taking a little extra time sanding it is not a problem . The pattern in the grain is worth the little extra time especially since I can put a premium price on anything made from that tree because so many locals will want a piece of it in the form of a finished product.
I only have enough left for another six or eight bowls and a few hundred pen blanks and and some bottle stoppers and Tea light bases and vases and other small turning projects.

 

[Glenn McCullough]

beautiful bowls! Great loooking grain and finish.

 

[MarkHix]

great looking bowls, tell us about the finish. I really like the lower left one. Wider rims are some of my favorites.

 

[TellicoTurning]

William,
Those are some nice bowls... nice grain pattern.

I've only turned Catalpa once and did a peppermill from it... I thought the wood was a little bland and added some stain... I liked it better with the stain.

 

[W.Y.]

great looking bowls, tell us about the finish. I really like the lower left one. Wider rims are some of my favorites.
__________________
Mark

Mark.
Most of the bowls I make are never used for soup or salad etc and these will be no exception. These will be bought by locals as a keepsake and showpiece placed on a coffee table etc because of the history of that 102 year old tree.
Therefore I started with one application of sanding sealer followed by three coats of gloss lacquer which provided a knock your eye out shine which I cut back somewhat with 0000 steel wool with Johnsons paste wax as a lubricant and then polished on the Beal buffer .
The finish feels like satin when rubbing fingers over it.