Dead Plum tree removed

[terrydowning]

This weekend, I finally got around to removing a Plum tree that died.

It took a few hours to dig up the root ball and pull the stump. I decided, To process as much of the straight trunk as possible and use for pen blanks, narrow boards and some bowl blanks. I'm even gonna try to do something with the root ball and stump.

While processing the trunk, the band saw jammed (pushing too hard) when the log twisted. I bent the blade and the sudden force of the stoppage caused a safety feature to kick in and the drive coupler blew apart. While unfortunate that it happened. It's good to know a safety feature worked as designed and no damage was done to the machine or myself. I still have a 6 inch x 12 inch length of trunk to split into bowl blanks. I'll have to place an order with the mother ship for a new coupler.

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In the meantime, I can start turning the rootball/stump. Here's the root ball all set up for turning. I hope to turn this into a large vase. The top of the stump as the bottom pf the vase and the root ball segments as the top. We'll see how this works out.

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I got 4 additional 6 inch bowl blanks. I'll have to move quick on these as well as they are already starting to dry out.

I also harvested 4 1" x 2" x 18" boards and a dozen or so 1 X 1 X 14-18 inch pen blank lengths all stickered and drying now. I may try my hand a cutting board instead of pen blanks though, we'll see.

[mrhart]

Odviuosly I'm a novice turner here, but don't you knokc off the egdes a bit before you mount something like that? Or do you just wash the dirt off and go?

[terrydowning]

Most of the edges are knocked off (a couple of hours with a hand saw.) It's mostly round. If I had a chain saw I would have done more. My shoulders, arms, and hands are still sore this morning from all the hand sawing I did yesterday.

Most of the dirt is washed off but being a rootball, there are embedded mineral deposits and dirt that did not wash off that will surely tax my sharpening and patience.

I'm going to start with an old scraper. NOTE: this is mounted to a speed reducer. Test turning at 200 showed a reasonably balanced piece with minimal wobble and no "dancing" around. I'm fairly confident that it's sound enough to start in with the tools.

I just hope this turns out the way I see it in my head. If it does, it will all be worth it. If it doesn't I'm only out a real good workout!

[charlese]

Always a good thing to have several spare couplers on hand:). They come in handy when needed.

[BuckeyeDennis]

OK. I, for one, am intensely curious as to the outcome of this project. I'm not an overly cautious guy, myself, but nevertheless have waited most all day to see if our much more experienced members might send in a full brigade of safety Nazis to save you from yourself. So far, so good.
It could be a thing of great beauty. But if we don't see pretty pics by next weekend, though, we must assume the worst ...

[terrydowning]

I'm not sure of the safety concerns but thank you all.

I am using a speed reducer so It's only turning at 200 (which is driving me crazy!! It's soooo slloowwww) but I'd rather not dance with my lathe. The lathe does not move at all. when turning at this speed. Despite its appearance in the first shot, it is actually quite well balanced.

Scraper was not getting it though and I switched to my bowl gouge which is cutting much quicker than the scraper.

I'm working on turning a tenon on the drive end so I can get this beast mounted in a chuck. The drive spur is just eating up the wet wood and turning is getting to be a challenge. I'm resisting using a face plate or screw chuck as I don't want to deal with patching holes. Alas, I may be forced to deal with this though. I have another inch or so to remove to get the tenon down to my largest jaw size and if this morning is any indicator it will be slow going or switch to a screw center in my chuck to improve the traction on the turn. If I have to go the screw chuck route to get this thing turning well I'll drill out the screw hole when done and patch with a dowel. Maybe I'll use some of the smaller stock and make a plug.

Mostly rambling now....

Have good day everyone!

[wa2crk]

Be much better off and probably safer to use a dedicated roughing gouge, Just an opinion of course.
Bill V
P.S. After turning the tennon and reversing the project you should use the tailstock center at least until you get the outer shape defined. A heavy object can twist out of a chuck easily so it is best if supported as long as possible.

[dusty]

Always a good thing to have several spare couplers on hand:). They come in handy when needed.

The one shown in this thread is beyond saving but that is not always the case. I have two that I am using in the shop now (for the belt sander and the jointer only) that have been wrapped with black "duct" tape; to extend there life. The extended life is going on a year now.

[terrydowning]

Yeah, if it was just the end that was cracked, I would do the duct tape rescue thing so I could use it while the other two make their way to me (ordered from the mothership yesterday!!). I would not dream of using tape, glue or anything else on this one though. Oh well, no band saw or jointer for now. add to that my MIA drill chuck and tools are reducing in quantity rapidly in my shop!! Good thing my hand tool rehabs wen well. I can still make sawdust even when there is no power!! I can always use my No. 6C fore plane to joint an edge and I have functional jack and smooth planes, so I can live without the jointer for a while. Losing the bandsaw it's the toughest. I got used to that tool fast and forget how I got along without it for all those years. Maybe it's time to look at making a frame saw??

[terrydowning]

I got the tenon done and now mounted into my chuck.

Able to increase turning speed to "B" using the speed reducer. Cutting action is much improved across the gaps.

It's coming along. Unfortunately I'm not able to get much time at one standing. So I'm just kinda plinking away at it.

I'm hoping to retain some of the bark on the finished product. We'll see.