A log should be cut into bowl blanks as soon as possible after it is cut because
the wood is easy to turn when wet and coring out blank from a large piece
shortens the drying time since the blanks are cut into thinner thicknesses.(Is that an oxymoron???)
Marking the cuts-
The logs should be marked with chalk on the ends to mark the bisection
and this mark should be carried all the way around the log, end to end.
Cut down the center with chain saw, scoring a mark all the way around the log following the chalk marks.
The chain saw should be sharpened for a rip cut rather than the usual crosscut.
Each spilt slab is then laid down and the center is marked.
Drill a hole in the slab..on the cut surface, that will accommodate a pin chuck..we used a 2 inch sawtooth (Forstner type) drill bit for this. The hole is drilled about 2 inches deep.
(Do each log slab one at a time since if the hole is cut and the pin chuck is not placed until hours later, it won't fit because the hole shrinks
quickly)
Plug this hole then with a round plug and then from the center of this plug use a compass to scribe a circle to the outer edge of the slab.
Use the chain saw to slice off the corners and shape the blank to approximate roundness.
The pin chuck is then driven down the center hole and a screw is placed at the edge to secure it.
The blank is then mounted on the lathe securely.
The blank is turned at a slow speed until it is round.
See photos
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| BirdseyeDay |
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