Using the root ball twisted mess as blank material

[PTsideshow]

This is the second part of my tree shrub ID question. Thought I throw this out and see if anybody has had it work. Before wasting a lot of time power washing 5/6 root masses etc.

These type shrubs generally have a mess of root ball nest, Power washing the root ball off and trimming it close and then cutting up to dry some, possibly cast some of the part that are that have close spaced voids and then turn?

Has anybody done something like this?
:clown:

 

[IPD_Mr]

You might PM Curtis on this one. He has done a few root balls over the years.

 

[Justturnin]

I have some palm root that i cast in silver and it looks awesome. Going to do one more and make my wife a pen/stylus set. I am sure it will be a little extra work but the best always are. I did not clean the palm, shadetree_1 did but i cast it. The palm was thirsty and ran the resin down so be sure to have some extra room in the mold to pour extra resin over it. Also i would warm the resin so it can really flow into the voids and the air can rise.

 

[Justturnin]

Pic of the Palm I cast

Here is a pic of the Palm Root Ball I cast to give you an idea of what it can look like.

 

[bensoelberg]

I just posted a picture of a Juniper bush root ball bowl I turned yesterday.

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f45/juniper-root-ball-93903/

Although this worked as a bowl blank, I don't think I could have gotten a pen blank out of it because there were too many cracks.

 

[PTsideshow]

I guess it will be a go to make a mess and see what happens. Thanks for the responses
:clown:

 

[low_48]

Don't use any good saw blades breaking down the root ball. I hit a huge rock inside a cherry root ball I cut open. Also any grit left on will eat up the blade as well. I'm not a fan of root balls. But if you want to have fun, turn down the lights and you can watch sparks while you cut!

 

[PTsideshow]

Have a number or options, Including the 12" nail cutting type blades for the Sawsallsand the tree trimming/loggers blades which worked really well when I had to remove the trunk and root system from an old tree at the parents house. Cheap enough and again 12" or so long that there is enough teeth to get the job done.

I have found that a good pressure washer and some up close work does remove most if the clay and fine dirt to exposure the gravel/rocks in the root ball.
:clown: