Developing an eye for design is just as important as mastering your favorite tool. Sam works on design by turning Weed pots. A simple exercise that will benefit all turners.
Excellent! I've never had the chance of turning a weed pot, but I do have some very nice apricot branches a neighbor gave me, it is dry as a bone, as its been in his yard a couple of years (he makes knifes, handle and scabbard included, and he was planning to use it, but gifted it to me, it's nice to have a neighbor that also hand craft things, we exchange materials and help on pieces of projects almost weekly, he also made for me an amazing Damascus steel carving knife), so I might just make some of these... I also love turning green wood, it's the waiting for those bowl roughs to dry out the boring part... I also have some nice olive branches I didn't know what to do with, and they are fresh, cut them myself from a huge main branch which fell of an olive tree in wind storm in front of my house a couple of weeks ago, a few crotch bowl blanks are waiting to be turned... but again, got some nice straight branches in the pile, I think this will be a good use for them.
I turned my first three of these this week, inspired by you and a video by Mike Peace. The first one I did between centers. The second I turned a tenon and mounted in my chuck, liked that better but still wasn't happy finishing the bottom by hand. On the third to finish the bottom I put a transfer punch of the correct size in a drill chuck mounted on the headstock and used that as a jam chuck. That made it very quick and easy to cleanup, sand, and finish the bottom. :-) Thanks for the videos. Ron
Fun little project Sam. Great for beginners and skilled alike. Who doesn't like to just put a tool on the wood, throw some shavings and see what you end up with. I've done several little pots, but never left the bark on one. Good project for today. Thanks for sharing, Fred
Thanks again Sam! I really enjoyed your video, especially the part of trying different forms for design... Wet and inexpensive wood is an ideal medium for attempting different designs which help us build our skills without wasting more expensive woods. Your examples were wonderful and look like South Western style weed pots which seem to be very popular at the moment... Again thanks for all you do for other turners!
Nice way to approach design Sam, I still practice with small limbs, as you can turn them down to nothing if need be, and no loss, but lessons learned, in tool control and design. Take care Mike
Hi Sam, I was very excited to watch this video, but was most disappointed to see it was not about making a receptacle for your "stash" for those more "relaxing" moments ;-). Thanks for the video, lots of great tips, not just for turning. Tim
I just turned my very first piece ever. I made a slender weed pot out of a long rectangular maple blank. I should've used your technique of pre-drilling my center. Mine is off-center. But, I am just starting out and learning. It was fun trying out different tools to see what they can do.
Hi Buddy, I like what you made, I haven't been turning for some time, but like to watch your videos. In Australia we have what we call The Mans shed, where Men can go. I try my best to show men how to use the wood lathe. we have made just a few things but not much as yet. I need to get them to watch some of yours, Alan and some of the other wood turners in the USA. all good to watch, this is how I started wood turning many years ago. Cheers Buddy. Desmond
+Desmond Shore I appreciate that. It is mid- October here and getting chilly. I suspect it is Spring over there or should I say down under. And soon it will be very hot in your part of the world. In Wyoming you gets very cold. I really need to go to Australia for the next five or six months. Thanks for watching Sam
I'm not a woodturner myself, I just like to watch how easy it is for you as a pro. You said that woodturning dry wood is very unpleasant. Why is that? Just because of the dust or do you need different techniques or tools?
Yes, May is coming on fast. I am working every day to finish pieces for the gallery. It is so time consuming. I am bringing my wife as well. See you soon Sam
how would you deal with cracking of the wet wood? i really also like working with fresh wet logs but the cracking is just so discouraging. love the bud vases!!!
+morneb2000 I think if you turn a weed pot or bud vase.....you must accept the splits and cracks as "character" A real hollow form can be turned without splits if done properly. But that is why you can charge $250 for a nice hollow form and $20 for a weed pot. These items will usually crack. Some species will behave better.....Sam
Wow, I can't believe I didn't mention the eventual cracking. I will put a note up on the video. This was for practice mostly. But you could do a nice finished piece out of a harder wood. But there will be splitting and cracking. Part of the "character" of the piece. Sam
I haven't turned anything since High School (40+ years ago) so I'm less than even a beginner - just reacquainting myself to the art and science of wood. When I get my shop set up I plan on doing a bunch of these from Birch to practice with and give away. Thanks for taking the time to answer such a basic question.
Robert Cortez Thanks. I was going to ask the same question. Due to checks and cracking, I'm going to make holes and insert some glass test tubes. I don't have much experience with green wood though.
Joe Ritz That is a great question. I didn't address it in the video. These are made just for fun and for the video. Yes I would put some oil on them if I used better wood OR- if I used dry wood but turned the same (not hollowed). The we one will split and you can count on that. But if you used some dryer wood that was milled up and left to sit for a while, you might have better luck with the splitting issue Sam
I apologize for that stupid question. I some how missed the first of the video the first time I watched it. Feel not so bright at the moment. Not my first or last embarrassing moment regretfully lmao.
Back in the day....we did lots of craft markets. I love to call them "weed pots". I would get a certain response - especially from old hippies. But fun and easy to make and a good teaching project. Sam
Excellent! I've never had the chance of turning a weed pot, but I do have some very nice apricot branches a neighbor gave me, it is dry as a bone, as its been in his yard a couple of years (he makes knifes, handle and scabbard included, and he was planning to use it, but gifted it to me, it's nice to have a neighbor that also hand craft things, we exchange materials and help on pieces of projects almost weekly, he also made for me an amazing Damascus steel carving knife), so I might just make some of these... I also love turning green wood, it's the waiting for those bowl roughs to dry out the boring part... I also have some nice olive branches I didn't know what to do with, and they are fresh, cut them myself from a huge main branch which fell of an olive tree in wind storm in front of my house a couple of weeks ago, a few crotch bowl blanks are waiting to be turned... but again, got some nice straight branches in the pile, I think this will be a good use for them.
Yuval
I am in the wrong part of the world for Olive wood. I bet a weed pot from an olive branch would be really pretty. And what a great aroma. Sam
I turned my first three of these this week, inspired by you and a video by Mike Peace. The first one I did between centers. The second I turned a tenon and mounted in my chuck, liked that better but still wasn't happy finishing the bottom by hand.
On the third to finish the bottom I put a transfer punch of the correct size in a drill chuck mounted on the headstock and used that as a jam chuck. That made it very quick and easy to cleanup, sand, and finish the bottom. :-)
Thanks for the videos.
Ron
Thanks for watching
Sam
Fun project! I know quite a few people who would love one of those. Great practice project too. Thanks for sharing Sam!
Fun little project Sam. Great for beginners and skilled alike. Who doesn't like to just put a tool on the wood, throw some shavings and see what you end up with. I've done several little pots, but never left the bark on one. Good project for today. Thanks for sharing, Fred
Fred Graber thanks for watching Fred Sam
Nice turning a weed pot! Love it. That willow is nice looking will have to find some…..
Very, VERY cool!!!! Looks almost like a clay pot to me!!! Love the easy way you work into the little logs. Nice projects......Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Sam !!
Lovely video this one.Simple weed pots which would put a smile on anyone's face.Thank you.
Chris.
Chris
They are fun project and can actually be a nice finished piece. Nice to hear from you,
Sam
Thanks again Sam! I really enjoyed your video, especially the part of trying different forms for design... Wet and inexpensive wood is an ideal medium for attempting different designs which help us build our skills without wasting more expensive woods. Your examples were wonderful and look like South Western style weed pots which seem to be very popular at the moment... Again thanks for all you do for other turners!
Kenn Harris Thank youSam
Now I have a project plan for the alders I am going to trim up this week. Thanks Sam.
Thanks
Sam
Nice way to approach design Sam, I still practice with small limbs, as you can turn them down to nothing if need be, and no loss, but lessons learned, in tool control and design.
Take care
Mike
I agree. I usually start a new turner with a green limb. Practicing on dry hard wood is not fun. Thanks Sam
You better practice old man! Love ya Mikey!
Tom Wilcox lol Tom, off next week are you free for a chat?
Sam, this is another excellent video. As usual, you have included many tips and and safety advice. Thanks for sharing.
Marshall Gorrow thanks Marshall for watching Sam
A cool project idea for beginners and those without chucks alike. Great video!
Always enjoy u sharin ur talents
Wonderful stuff Sam. I'm going to give it a try. My neighbor's tree is hanging over into my yard! Free wood! Thanks.
Joe Ritz right on-go for that little. Thanks for watching Joe Sam
Hi Sam, I was very excited to watch this video, but was most disappointed to see it was not about making a receptacle for your "stash" for those more "relaxing" moments ;-).
Thanks for the video, lots of great tips, not just for turning. Tim
locoformotos sorry dude, this is for real weeds. Ha ha. I just like the name weed pot better than a bud vase.Thanks for watching
Sam
Thanks for sharing. Nice project and love that wood!
I will try this because the yard needs Spring clean up and I know I can get some branches. Thanks, stay well. Oh that hollow looks amazing :-)
Thanks-The colors really came out nicely. Sometimes I get lucky.
Sam
I just turned my very first piece ever. I made a slender weed pot out of a long rectangular maple blank. I should've used your technique of pre-drilling my center. Mine is off-center. But, I am just starting out and learning. It was fun trying out different tools to see what they can do.
Thanks for watching
Sam
7:18 "Life is like a box of willow branches. Never know what you're gonna get."
I like that.
Every one can be different.
Sam
Hi Sam great project for practice and skills! Cheers! Daniel
Thanks
Sam
Hi Buddy, I like what you made, I haven't been turning for some time, but like to watch your videos. In Australia we have what we call The Mans shed, where Men can go. I try my best to show men how to use the wood lathe. we have made just a few things but not much as yet. I need to get them to watch some of yours, Alan and some of the other wood turners in the USA. all good to watch, this is how I started wood turning many years ago. Cheers Buddy. Desmond
+Desmond Shore I appreciate that. It is mid- October here and getting chilly. I suspect it is Spring over there or should I say down under. And soon it will be very hot in your part of the world. In Wyoming you gets very cold. I really need to go to Australia for the next five or six months. Thanks for watching
Sam
That is cool. I have to find some limbs to work on.
Mark Hazlewood thanks for watching MarkSam
I love the old vids.
Yes I do to. I had more fingers....haha
OH wait, I just looked-I spoke too soon about the fingers....
I'm not a woodturner myself, I just like to watch how easy it is for you as a pro. You said that woodturning dry wood is very unpleasant. Why is that? Just because of the dust or do you need different techniques or tools?
We'll see you in May in Utah.
Alan
Yes, May is coming on fast. I am working every day to finish pieces for the gallery. It is so time consuming.
I am bringing my wife as well.
See you soon
Sam
beautiful
NICE VIDEO VERY GOOD LEARNING SINCE GREEN WOOD IS EASY TO GETI
Thanks for watching
Sam
Wow, Sam. That first piece you show is very beautiful. do you have a video where you show the dyeing proces etc?
Cheers. Byron
+Byron Allman I do have a few videos on coloring, check out this playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLL5-IWEcq6B9N1jEYTClHCV2fM5UlTl56
Sam
i like it sam .
Thanks
Sam
Interesting. Thanks for the lesson Sam.
I don't do weed so I'm not sure I need a pot. JimE
I wish I knew where that term cam from
Sam
how would you deal with cracking of the wet wood? i really also like working with fresh wet logs but the cracking is just so discouraging. love the bud vases!!!
+morneb2000 I think if you turn a weed pot or bud vase.....you must accept the splits and cracks as "character"
A real hollow form can be turned without splits if done properly. But that is why you can charge $250 for a nice hollow form and $20 for a weed pot. These items will usually crack. Some species will behave better.....Sam
When turning green wood how do prevent cracking as it dries? Or is this mainly a practice exercise?
Wow, I can't believe I didn't mention the eventual cracking. I will put a note up on the video. This was for practice mostly. But you could do a nice finished piece out of a harder wood. But there will be splitting and cracking. Part of the "character" of the piece.
Sam
I haven't turned anything since High School (40+ years ago) so I'm less than even a beginner - just reacquainting myself to the art and science of wood. When I get my shop set up I plan on doing a bunch of these from Birch to practice with and give away. Thanks for taking the time to answer such a basic question.
Robert Cortez Thanks. I was going to ask the same question. Due to checks and cracking, I'm going to make holes and insert some glass test tubes. I don't have much experience with green wood though.
Shasta stan I'm going to turn some, coat them in Anchor Seal and put them in storage for 3-4 months. Then apply the finish.
Beautiful finish on that hollow form!!! What is it? What was your process?
Andrew
It will be a burial urn. My web site is wyomingwoodturner.com you can see my work.
Sam
Sam - One question - do you put finish on these?
Joe Ritz That is a great question. I didn't address it in the video. These are made just for fun and for the video. Yes I would put some oil on them if I used better wood OR- if I used dry wood but turned the same (not hollowed).
The we one will split and you can count on that. But if you used some dryer wood that was milled up and left to sit for a while, you might have better luck with the splitting issue
Sam
Very cool. But from the thumbnail I thought this was going to be about tagua nuts :p
No, I have never turned them. Aren't they really small?
Thanks Sam
WYOMINGWOODTURNER Yeah the only ones I have ever seen or turned were pretty small.
I apologize for that stupid question. I some how missed the first of the video the first time I watched it. Feel not so bright at the moment. Not my first or last embarrassing moment regretfully lmao.
All this time I thought weed pots are hollowed out.
Well the ones I do are not. I have tried to sell these but can only get 10- 15 dollars for each. Hollowing (nice wood) can bring lots more money.
Sam
Thanks. Enjoy your videos.
Sam, I think the politically correct term for these now days is a twig pot. If you put a lid on it one might use it for their weed stash! 😂😂😂🖐
Back in the day....we did lots of craft markets. I love to call them "weed pots". I would get a certain response - especially from old hippies. But fun and easy to make and a good teaching project. Sam