,i been practicing my bowl turning tonight and thought I was getting fairly good,,,,a friend gave me some walnut today and I attempted to make 3 bowls and everytime I got to a certain point they just broke into,,don't know what I was doing wrong,,,he said the wood was about 30 yrs old,,im including some pictures,,,maybe someone can tell me if it was me,,lol,,,most likely,,or the wood,,,
From the pic of the wood blank before turning, it doesn't appear it belongs on a lathe - looks like large cracks in line with growth rings, and it appears that's where the wood split.
Usually know as wind shake or ring shake. You may be able to harvest some good wood from the center but other than that don't injure yourself with unsafe wood. Best use is a warm fire (IMHO).
Jeff, whenever you see cracks like that, you have several options. Split it at the cracks using whatever tool you have that will allow you to do that. Use the solid wood you get to make up spindles or small things you might need around the shop.
Another option you might want to think about. Whenever you encounter cracks that are going to be a problem, if the wood is worth saving, drill holes across the cracks and use long dowel rod and glue to strengthen and stabilize the piece for a successful turning. You would also fill the cracks with whatever media you choose.
Go to youtube and search Chas Thornhill. Look for his Elm Bowl video. He used about 6-8 dowels and aluminum rods to stabilize the wood.
I would recommend against using metal rod, but I have done 3 pieces so far, and the technique worked for me, except where I used the metal rod.
Here is one in Mulberry that I used copper rod and wood dowels to insure a completed piece.
Rip it into staves to isolate the cracks. take the solid pieces and cut and assemble as a segmented piece. Will save some of it from the fire place…
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