To cut up or turn?

[ericofpendom]

After seeing the wood / resin fusion blanks I am wondering what to do with these Australian Goldfield burrs that I have had in my garage for about 6 years waiting to be turned. Should I cut them into strips and attempt to make fusion blanks or turn a natural edged form such as a bowl? I think there is probably a lot more £ return on blanks but there is a lot more work involved in transforming them.

Your thoughts would be welcome.

Eric...

 

[Tim'sTurnings]

Can you post some pictures of the bottom and side views? Also the approximate sizes? That would make it better for someone to advise.
Thanks, Tim.

 

[ericofpendom]

Hi Tim, the max depth is about 4 to 4.5 inches, and about 14inches diameter.

Eric...

 

[fitty]

Do both. Trim off a few inches off the edge and create fusion wood pen blanks. The rest could be used for making bowls.

 

[grz5]

Do both. Trim off a few inches off the edge and create fusion wood pen blanks. The rest could be used for making bowls.

This! I did it with 2 red mallee burl caps I had and it worked out very well. That way you waste little to no wood.

 

[Fred]

I would make the entire burl into a bowl. No trimming at all. Just sand down the edge a little to protect the hands of whoever handles the finished product. Power carve the inside and leave a good half inch of inside wood to protect the lighter wood from showing up. Be careful as you carve and follow the general outside edge to form the inside.

The more you sand the inside the prettier it will be. I usually finish with a quality clear polyurethane finish with sanding between the several coats of applied finish. Then when fully cured I polish with Carnuaba wax using buffing wheels.

I usually sand down the prickly 'spear points' and may quite often take them all the way down to a smooth edge leaving the larger natural creases alone. The spears form great burl eyes and are spectacular looking IMHO.

Just go slowly and take your time. BTW, cloth sandbags loosely filled will greatly facilitate the carving. Carve the inside prior to removing the 'spears' as they will hold onto the cloth bag material. I use money bags from the bank as sand bags. A heavy duty plastic bag inside the cloth bag holds the sand just great. Put the plastic bag inside the cloth bag, fill them with sand, fold over the top several inches, put a piece of tape over the fold and stitch up the cloth top and you are set to go to town.

Have fun and keep your eyes open for the treasure inside the burl when you apply the finish.

 

[jeweler53]

I'm not sure.... Send one to me and I will see what we should do.:biggrin:

Dick

 

[Bowl Slinger]

"I am wondering what to do with these Australian Goldfield burrs"
How many do you have? When I see "these" I thinking that you have more than one so is there a reason you cant do both?

 

[ericofpendom]

Hi Slinger, there are two burrs. One has finer spikes than the other and is very prickly to handle. Your right I could have a go at doing both.

Cheers

Eric...