Norfolk Island pine bowl

[powderpost]

I recently acquired a lump of Norfolk Island pine about 400mm diameter and about 400mm long. I could barely lift the dam thing so I cut it in half, now I have two discs about 400mm diameter and 200mm long. Painted the ends with "Mobilcer M", to minimise splitting while drying further. The first on is in the lathe to rough turn to hasten the drying process.

The block trimmed and ready for the lathe.
465022

Some of the "waste"

465019465020

The back
465021

Wrapped in a damp towel for the night and will be ready to attack the centre tomorrow.

Jim

[turnerted]

Jim
Looking forward with interest . The last time I tried one of these all the branch points split . Are you doing anything to minimise this ?
Ted

[wheelinround]

Jim when I did the vase (https://woolnwood.blogspot.com/2010/12/norfolk-island-pine.html) some yrs back at the club, Darrell had me soak the wood with a soapy solution 5% soap to water as it was a week between turning sessions a hessian sack and damp cloths. That stopped the drying out also sprayed inside.
When I got the lathe and vessels home, as I got thinner walls a spray bottle of Hard Burnish Oil was used, this firms it up also cut down on tear out

My 2nd attempt (https://woolnwood.blogspot.com/2016/01/norfolk-pine-x3.html) much better some time latter

Looking forward to seeing what comes of your two.

[powderpost]

Are you doing anything to minimise this ?

Hi Ted,
This is the first time I have used Norfolk pine in this way, that is straight down the end grain. To minimise cracking I kept the turned job in a moist towel. Just came up from the shed with the finished bowl. Tomorrow, I think I will coat it with a wax. No, I haven't done anything special to prevent problems other than to keep it moist.

Jim

[Richard Hodsdon]

Use a thin superglue on the ends of the branches. They will crack no matter what but CA usually stops it going further. Also once finished turning and sanding apply CA again

[brainstrust]

Norfolk Pine is spectacular wood, looking forward to seeing the result :)