Everything started off well with this large maple log (460 lbs) IMG_1827.jpg
I had turned most of the bark off it the all of a sudden it nailed me.IMG_1829.jpg IMG_1830.jpg
I chopped around it & finally got it pulled out. Then I reground the nicks out of my roughing gouge and went back at it. Then you guessed it, It nailed me again.IMG_1831.jpg This time I found a easier way to get it out. I used a parting tool to cut on each side then chiseled out just around the nail. Once again I reground the gouge & went back at it, only to get nailed 2 more times. Hit a total of 4 nails that were buried about 1 1/2" under the bark each nail was 2 3/4" long.
For a while I didn't think I'd ever get it turned. Then when I went to turn a tennon to chuck it in I found this.IMG_1836.jpg It was starting to rot in the center. This originally was going to be the bottom of my piece,but I decided to make it the top figuring I could leave a little larger opening in it & hollow out the rotted part. The other end was solid so I made it the bottom.
Here's what I finally came out with.IMG_1842.jpg Now on with the hollowing.