Shopsmith Forums

Got a couple green pieces of maple from our club and am turning a vase for the first time. Any advise? 10 inches tall by 6.

How green is the wood ?
Paul

masonsailor2 wrote:How green is the wood ?
Paul

Club members didn't know the exact cut date but I think it's from this spring. Fresh cut ends feel damp and look wet. Small checks start pretty quickly, and it's a lot of fun getting those long, stringy shavings on the spindle cuts so far. Its not spitting at me. I cut two pieces about the same size. I was thinking I would try the same basic vase shape, grain in different directions. I've done small bowls this way and I'm just moving the walls up to eventually do a vessel with a small opening. Should I use a faceplate or the scroll chuck with the screw? I know I have to rough them in and store them for a while, finish turn them later.

You can either turn them green and seal them and let them dry or you can seal the entire piece , let it dry and then turn it. I use anchor seal but latex paint will also work. You can also use the paper bag technique to control the drying process. You can use a scale to determine when it has equilibrated which may shorten the wait time as it will indicate when the drying process has completed. I personally don't weigh them. Too much effort for me. I seal and date them and stack them in a corner of the shop and after a year or so I turn them.
Paul

OK got it turned, hollowed, and packed away. Hope the walls are not too thin. They wound up about 5/8" thick. I left the base with the screw hole a little thicker. How long do you think it should sit?

beeg wrote:Till it drys.

Did ya weigh it?

Nope.

I'll be doing a bunch in the next week or so. I'll weigh a few and just watch them. Typically do you get back to them in 6 months or a year? These are my 1st green turnings. I've read up on it, watched the tube of you, but what's the experienced turners here doing?

moggymatt wrote:

beeg wrote:Till it drys.

Did ya weigh it?

Nope.

I'll be doing a bunch in the next week or so. I'll weigh a few and just watch them. Typically do you get back to them in 6 months or a year? These are my 1st green turnings. I've read up on it, watched the tube of you, but what's the experienced turners here doing?

The reason for weighing them is so when you determine it is no longer getting lighter, it is ready. i.e. keep record of weight(s).