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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
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    Wittmann, AZ
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    2,503

    Punishment

    As in "glutton for".
    Finally finished up the pecan crotch cluster piece. I kept thinking I might get down to some wet wood, but it was pretty dry throughout and it was hard (I now understand the term pecancrete). I thought I would never get the hollowing done. All told, I think I have about 15 - 16 hours in this piece, changed the cutter on the hollower at least 10 times. I could only take the very lightest of cuts, with all of the cracks and voids even with the steady rest the vibration was bad.
    But I overcame the challenge and managed to turn the piece without it blowing up . Now that I've got that out of my system, I'll be able to pass up the next chunk of wood that looks like that!

    I shortened it up a fair amount (couldn't stand the thought of spending any more time hollowing it) and it ended up about 5 1/2" tall by 5". It's got a coat of danish oil so far and I'll follow that up with some WOP.

    Here's a reminder of what I started out with.
    2012-02-15_17-54-14.jpg2012-02-15_17-53-43.jpg

    And here's the finished piece. Don't know if it was worth all the time spent on it, just glad it's finally done.

    PICT0001-1.JPGPICT0002-1.JPGPICT0003-2.JPG

    PICT0006.JPGPICT0007-1.JPG
    This is a shot of the opening on top.
    PICT0011-1.JPG
    Thanks for looking!
    Comments and critiques are welcome.
    "If it is wood, I will turn it."
    vor-tex: any activity, situation, or way of life regarded as irresistibly engulfing.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
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    Kathy, your perseverance really paid off. That is absolutely exquisite. I'm glad you made it through this piece safely. Looks like it could have been a dangerous endeavour. Congratulations on you awesome success.
    What you listen to is your business....what you hear is ours.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Willow Spring, NC
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    487
    I've come across a few chunks of wood like you posted but never had the bravery or patience to try and turn them. You have inspired me to absolutely take a chance if I come across something gnarly in the future. You may have sacrificed a little safety, sweat, and certainly some nerves...but you have not only a fantastic looking piece out of some great wood...but something that is completely unique.

    This is something that any wood turner would certainly have to tip their hat at you for!

  4. #4
    I applaud you, Kathy! As far as whether it was "worth the time" - only you can answer that. Unfortunately, folks that look at pieces like this have no idea the work involved. This one has a lot of character, and I bet the swirly grain is really neat up close.

    Well done!

  5. #5
    amazing perseverence! the color variations are fantastic..very, very fascinating piece.
    Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning, the devil says, "oh crap she's up!"


    Tolerance is giving every other human being every right that you claim for yourself.

    "What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts are gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts will happen to man. All things are connected. " Chief Seattle Duwamish Tribe

  6. #6
    great piece, not much on pecan, have same thoughts as you, well done

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
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    Blairsville GA
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    2,105
    I'm glad to see what came of that piece. First, I'm not all that crazy about spheres, though they have some attraction when in groups, colored, etc. However, I think this is a super piece that stands on its own (well, maybe rolls). All the voids and grain movements make this a piece that folks will want to pick up and view from several angles.
    If I were to try this, I think I'd want to hollow it out in such a way as to hide the entry hole in the bottom of a deep void...which you very nearly did. Cool piece, and the right finish for it.
    Laugh at least once daily, even if at yourself!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    Gassaway, WV
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    Great job on that pecancrete, I have been working with some hickrete (dry hickory) and believe me I know what you mean about hard. It came from a large tree that fell down on my place. Told the wife I wasn't going to do any more of it.
    Fred

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Vadnais Heights, MN
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    Way to stick with it. I think it turned out great!
    Doug Swanson

    Where are John Keeton and Steve Schlumpf anyway?

  10. Nice work Kathy...........I don't know if it is worth getting beat up like you did, but you did a good job with a challenging piece of wood........the end result with all the cracks and voids would make me want to put it in the burn pile, but I am more drawn to wood that has few defects..........this one will probably be right up David Keller's alley!
    Remember, in a moments time, everything can change!

    Vision - not just seeing what is, but seeing what can be!




  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    Goodland, Kansas
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    Now that had to have been a challenge but well worth the effort. That is a beauty Kathy.
    Bernie

    Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.

    To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone.



  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Manassas, Virginia
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    889
    Kathy, you get an A for effort!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Mason Michigan
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    Nice going dodging the danger! Love the grain!
    A few hours south of Steve Schlumpf

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Derbyshire, U.K.
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    202
    I like it too! I saw the original longer piece, and don't blame you for shortening it - expecially if it was beating you up on the hollowing! Is it just me, I can see a face in the third photo, complete with eye, nose and hairline; and the fifth pic is an elephants' ear...?

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    La Grange, IL
    Posts
    1,425
    Kathy,

    Glad it stayed together and you stuck with it. I think it came out really well. Definetly an attention grabber.

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