EDIT; Need Advice Please African Sumac And Stuck On What To Do

[Alan Gan]

Got around to working on the African Sumac I picked up a couple weeks ago. Cut one of the largest pieces and rounded with the Chainsaw the best I could. All going good, cutting rough but got it rounded out.

Now the problem/question. I ran into a lot of Checks that appear to run deep, then there was a soft spot that came more to light after turning down. I had planned on that end being the inside of the bowl but either I turn the blank way down small or have a open crack where the top of the bowl will be.

The white rough surface appears to run all the way through and will not turn or sand smooth. What is this?

I have no idea what to do with this wood. I have another few pieces of this but expect to run into the same issues with the other pieces.

Is this worth the time to continue or do I have firewood? Thanks for any help or advice and direction. Help... Lol

Other than the issues I think this would have been a very nice bowl, now I am not so sure.

EDIT; When I turn the lower section and get all the Checks gone and have a nice smooth surface, within an hour the Checking is back as if I had not touched it. I am at a loss as what if anything to do to prevent this.

If no resolve I will end up with a very nice Toothpick.

[Wes Ramsey]

I would inlace those checks as-is with copper powder and CA glue. Don't enlarge them or try to clean them up first. It will seal and stabilize the checks and looks amazing! My first few attempts at inlacing with copper powder were rushed and I didn't do the greatest job getting the powder packed into the cracks. The result was that it looked more natural - like it grew inside the wood naturally. When I pay better attention and take my time it looks like inlaid copper, but for enhancing checks it seems to look more natural with some flaws. I will try to dig up a pic if I have one handy.

[daryl moses]

No way I would mount a piece as punky and checked as that piece is on my lathe.
If you do keep the speed LOW, wear your face shield and be prepared for it to come off the lathe.

[Faust M. Ruggiero]

Many turners have said it. "Life is too short to waste on a bad piece of wood." If you can't turn the cracks out of that piece I would toss it and find a fresh piece of wood. If the area your face plate screws are attached to is punky you are risking having the piece come off the lathe.
faust

[Alan Gan]

No way I would mount a piece as punky and checked as that piece is on my lathe.
If you do keep the speed LOW, wear your face shield and be prepared for it to come off the lathe.

Many turners have said it. "Life is too short to waste on a bad piece of wood." If you can't turn the cracks out of that piece I would toss it and find a fresh piece of wood. If the area your face plate screws are attached to is punky you are risking having the piece. come off the lathe.
faust

Thanks for the advice. This Face plate is not going to come off, 2" metal screws into it and took everything my drill could do to get them in, that end is going to be removed. I will take care and use my safety equipment, just not ready to give up yet.

[robert baccus]

I would make it firewood, however if it was really a thing with you. You could do a epoxy or poly soak on it. Maybe 2 to fill those bigger cracks. It will keep it together.

[Alan Gan]

I would inlace those checks as-is with copper powder and CA glue. Don't enlarge them or try to clean them up first. It will seal and stabilize the checks and looks amazing! My first few attempts at inlacing with copper powder were rushed and I didn't do the greatest job getting the powder packed into the cracks. The result was that it looked more natural - like it grew inside the wood naturally. When I pay better attention and take my time it looks like inlaid copper, but for enhancing checks it seems to look more natural with some flaws. I will try to dig up a pic if I have one handy.

Thanks Wes, if you find a Pic that would be good.

Been turning it down and the lower part of the bowl is just about Crack free. I will deal with the top and figure out what it will yield. I know it is going to be very much smaller that I had hoped.

[Alan Gan]

I need some help. I turned the lower section of the bowl until all the Checks were gone and had a nice smooth surface. 1 Hour later the Checks were back. What is going on and is there a process I am not following? Most all I have Turned is Mesquite and have not had this issue. Anybody got some direction for me? Thanks

[Peter Fabricius]

Pull your tailstock up to secure the piece and apply sanding sealer immediately after each turning session if you are doing this is stages.
Peter F.

[Dave Cullen]

This piece of wood obviously is under internal stress. I'd bet that if you sawed it into boards they'd twist like a pretzel.
Resign to the idea that your blank is better off as firewood.

[Wes Ramsey]

If you just HAVE to finish this piece, I would turn off all the checks I could, get a reasonably good finish, then seal the tar out of it. Then I would flip it over and start hollowing. If you can get it hollowed enough and fast enough the wood will move more than split, and it looks like it needs some freedom to move. Leave the wall thick, at least until you know how much it needs to move. If you can't escape the checks and are still dedicated to getting something out of it, that's when I'd look into inlacing.

This isn't a great pic, but hopefully you can see what the copper looks like. I didn't want to waste this piece either

maple vase1.jpg