Walk away from these bowl blanks?

[Steve Mathews]

I have a couple of partially turned bowl blanks from the previous owner of my lathe that I decided to complete. Before getting started on the inside the outside developed a few cracks. Actually they were there before even working on the outside but seemed superficial. Maybe this is why the previous owner didn't finish them. Should I walk away from them?

[Bob Bouis]

Depends on whether they're cocobolo or pine.

You could always turn them down a little to get rid of the cracks. Or fill them with epoxy or similar. But generally it's not worth it.

[John Keeton]

Character defects are one thing, but I don't do cracks.

[Bob Bergstrom]

Only if they are small or on a burl.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Steve - this is one of those times that photos would really help.

[Steve Mathews]

Sorry, I should've included pics in the first place. The first 3 show the bowl I was working on. It had 2 hairline cracks initially but after turning on the outside they seemed to disappear. After the faceplate was removed the hairline crack now shown appeared. My concern is I don't want to work on the inside if it's going to fly apart on me.

The second set of pics show an almost complete bowl with a hairline crack that runs from inside to outside. I can see finishing this bowl and not falling apart but the crack may be ugly since the wood is so clear.

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[John K Jordan]

I personally wood toss them. I see nothing spectacular enough to trigger heroic efforts.

JKJ

[Steve Schlumpf]

I agree with John - toss them. Nothing there really worth the trouble.

[Steve Mathews]

That was easy ... and unanimous. Consider them tossed.

[Reed Gray]

Well, if you are the really frugal type, you may be able to split them down the crack lines,especially if there is a companion crack on the other side in just about the same place, and get some end grain turning pieces. For bowls, more trouble than they are worth...

robo hippy

[Greg Parrish]

If tossed, toss them in The fire wood or wood furnace pile though. Don't waste them.

[William Bachtel]

Pitch them out, fast.

[Jay Mullins]

My theory: If you can't turn'em- burn'em

[Dane Riley]

Bunch of wimps I've patched way, way worse. Thin CA will keep that crack from spreading. Thin shellac will keep it from showing.

That said, I've also kicked myself from wasting the time to fill them.

The problem with the second bowl is it looks like a dog dish. Every one of us started out making bowls that look like this. Make more shavings and make the profile more of a curve. Unless your dog needs a dish.

[Randy Walker]

Perfect for testing some painting, staining, dyeing, texturing techniques. Also great for a junk bowl. For out in the garden, or nuts and bolts in the shop.