Combretum schumanii

[Caveman]

Combretum schumanii - a coastal tree from these parts.

Was recently given a small (about 15cm x 6cm) scrap of wood by a botanist - collected in 1991:o - plenty dry enough I guess!

Beautiful HAAAARD:D wood, but a lovely finish off the tool - hardly needed sanding. Looks like dark chocolate:U.

Didn't know what to do with it - too small to cut up.
Anyway, went ahead and slapped it in a chuck (having removed 2 of the jaws) - looked a bit hairy but was very secure!
66875
66876
Hollowed out one bowl;
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Then shifted the wood across a few cm and did the 2nd hollow.
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Figure it can be used for salt and pepper in a kitchen or some such.
Finished with BLO and Beeswax.
(Used the bandsaw to cut the base flat after turning).

What else could I have done with such a 'lump'??? Other than use it for pen blanks (not into pens). Any suggestions???

[DJ’s Timber]

I like it, it looks great :2tsup:, must have been a heart in your mouth moment when that lump was spinning :U

[Groggy]

Erk! How wobbly does the lathe get with the wood mounted like that?

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Lovely result, but I'm not sure the technique is one I'd dare follow...

(Says the bloke who's also thinking "now I know what to do with those odd-shaped lumps filling my shelf... " :B)

[DJ’s Timber]

Erk! How wobbly does the lathe get with the wood mounted like that?

I would say that Andy's Stubby wouldn't have felt it, unless he was spinning it at 3000rpm :o.

I've had bits like this on my Vicmarc VL300 up to 1000rpm with no probs :2tsup:

[Groggy]

I would say that Andy's Stubby wouldn't have felt it, unless he was spinning it at 3000rpm :o.

I've had bits like this on my Vicmarc VL300 up to 1000rpm with no probs :2tsup:The jaws must grip a lot harder than I imagine then!

[hughie]

Nice one Andy! :2tsup:

Sure would be nice to get a decent log of it. Is it rare or are you just a bit too far from the coast?

[Caveman]

Thank's for the comments guy's.

Erk! How wobbly does the lathe get with the wood mounted like that?
Like DJ said - the Stubby probably wouldn't even have known there was something on the chuck and I don't think I spun it much more than 800rpm anyway.

The jaws must grip a lot harder than I imagine then!
It's amazing how much pressure can be exerted by a good chuck - I have cracked several tenons when cranking the chuck just that litle bit more.:doh:


Nice one Andy! :2tsup:
Sure would be nice to get a decent log of it. Is it rare or are you just a bit too far from the coast?
Only about 400k's which I guess by Oz standards that's not too far, however I can bet you don't have the same wonderful roads to contend with:D.

I gather it is quite rare in our parts - as usual it would have been over exploited with no thoughts for the future.

[TTIT]

Had to look that one up - Leadwood :shrug: - you get some interesting stuff over there Andy! Couple of links - as you said - looks to have been over exploited. for sale (http://www.amazonexotichardwoods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=TB-LM) and facts (http://agroforesttrees.cisat.jmu.edu/tree_info.asp?tid=33).
Always good to see another use for those wee little bits - good idea :2tsup:

[Sebastiaan56]

I know a few luthiers who would give their left nut for an exotic piece like that. Veneers or slices for headstocks, bridges, fingerbaords, tailpieces etc.

Nice work, I'll echo the comments about clean undies after turning,

[artme]

Woderful result Caveman! :2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:I think you were probably thankful you have a stubby.:U:U:U

[Groggy]

Thanks for the replies. I was so surprised to see the work mounted like that I forgot to say nice work"! :2tsup:

[OGYT]

That's a unique way to use up an odd-shaped piece, Andy. Well done!
(I'd like to have a log of that wood, also, Hughie.)

[rsser]

Cool.

Time to branch out now and put a metre long piece on ;-}

[Caveman]

Thanks guy's.


Cool.
Time to branch out now and put a metre long piece on ;-}
Building up to it - had a bowl blank or two almost a metre across.
An bigger lump like this piece might try and get the stubby to take off:oo: - propeller effect!

[rsser]

Counterweight the short end Andy.

Rub the bevel on the air.

Position the light so you can see what's wood and what's not.

You may find it easier to check your cutting progress by looking at the opposite site.

Fasten helmet ;-}

[Caveman]

Counterweight the short end Andy.

Rub the bevel on the air.

Position the light so you can see what's wood and what's not.

You may find it easier to check your cutting progress by looking at the opposite site.

Fasten helmet ;-}

:yikes:....................................................:russian:

[rsser]

Have a look at Stephen Hughes' lidded container, won the Peter Robson award:

http://www.theaustralianwoodturningexhibition.com/2004%20Exhibition%20Slide%20show_files/fullscreen.htm

(you can move through the slides faster by Right-click > next )

[Caveman]

Whoa - thats pretty amazing stuff.

Nice site:2tsup:.

[rsser]

Yep.

So how do folk reckon he did it??

(He uses a Stubby so he has a half metre swing give or take).

[mick61]

Very carefully:Dmick