In Australia denatured alcohol is called Methylated Spirits. I am not sure if it contains wax or not. By the way I thoroughly enjoy your videos. You and Richard Raffan are my main sources of information and inspiration for turning 😊
I'm 'one of those guys' you mentioned who hasn't used a lathe since HighSchool. I have recently started turning again...after MANY years. I find your videos amazing and informative, but more importantly, inspirational. They make me want to get out there and do it, not just watch and say 'ooh ahhh!' That Box Elder bowl is sensational. Thanks.
That is awesome, John! Thank you for writing and sharing! Remember; persistent, patient practice will yield the bowls you imagine creating! Happy Turning! Kent
You've confirmed my suspicion about shellac and it's use for stabilizing. I did the same thing with a punky horse chestnut piece after roughing it out. Now I have more confidence when I put it back up to finish it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Box Elder is a dream to turn. We have plenty up here in Montana. I finish a lot of my bowls with Mahoney's oil finish. If I have a problem with end grain, I apply the oil, leave overnight if I have time, and then turn the oiled wood. Works great on cottonwood end grain too. Brass powder and CA glue in small defects looks great too in Box Elder.
What a lovely “natural” set of colours. I really appreciate your educational explanations for absolutely everything you do. It’s like a sunburst or a volcano.
Excellent job as always Kent. Working with punky wood is always a challenge but you showed it can be worth the effort. High speed, sharp tools, and good slicing technique are prerequisite to creating bowls like this one. Thanks for the shout out!
I have turned some of this. Here we call it Flaming Box Elder for obvious reasons, and I've sold each piece I've made from it except one, which my wife wanted to keep. This is a wonderful turning, Kent. You are an expert at punk management and the shape is lovely.
Thank you so much for this channel and all your information you share so freely. I've binge watched yours and Richard Raffan videos - you are both so inspiring and are my go to teachers. I've just retired and started a woodwork hobby. Absolutely loving it. I got a midi lathe a few weeks ago and made a few things. Looking forward to all the work I can do on it. I have a whole Box Elder tree in my back garden drying out that my neighbour cut down 😃😃
@@TurnAWoodBowl Kent, thank you for replying to my comment. I made a flipper bench yesterday to house my planer/thickneser and the lathe and also a tool rack mounted on the wall behind it so I'm now ready to roll. 😃😃
Great video. Just cut down 2 boxelders with flame! Had one milled for 2"x 18" planks 11 ft long. The rest are a bunch of bowl blanks ready to happen. Just stuck a limb chunk on to see what the wood demanded and came up with a dry flower vase. Beautiful colors.
Yet another informative and creativity inspiring video. I really enjoy your videos, Kent. I have to be sure that I'm not trying to do anything else while watching/listening to one of your videos, because inevitably I get completely drawn into the video and forget about whatever else I was trying to do. Your content is some of the best I've come across on YT. I find I use more of the techniques you've shared than anything else I've learned from books, articles, or other YT turners. Thank you for continuing to share your knowledge, and keep up your wonderful work.
Brad, thank you so much for the kind words! I'm so glad I'm able to share info that has value for you! I appreciate your support!!! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
I just bought that t-shirt you are wearing on the video. It's a pretty nice design! I just finished my 3-year woodturner apprenticeship in Germany and many of the topics you address are NOT part of what I learned. Please continue making videos and your work as an educator.
Thanks for this video--it was very helpful. I am still struggling with two key issues--grain supported cuts and tool positioning--watching you work is very helpful.
I did not know how that bowl would turn out but at the end but it's amazing the colours that bowl has I always learn something from your videos Thank you Regards Steve UK London
Quite often I will use thin CA glue on the punky areas. The alcohol is also known as methylated spirits in some countries ( UK, Australia). Definitely worth the effort Kent. Beautiful bowl
Boxelders grow like weeds here in Wisconsin and are cinsidered a nuisance tree along field fencelines. I've turned some very nice pieces out of Boxelder though. And when I do I like to give the wood more dignity so I use it more sophiticated name: Manitoba Maple. You turned a gorgeous Boxelder (I mean Manitoba Maple) bowl, Kent! It is always a joy to watch your work.
Absolutely beautiful bowl! I don't think we have box elder on our property but this makes me want to find some. The red coloring looks great! Thank you for a great video Kent.
I haven't gone through all the comments to see if this has been pointed out before, but you should note that with Flame Box Elder the red color is not UV stable. If left in any level of sunlight, it will fade over time to brown.
In Canada, they call this Manitoba Maple. It grows in Mid Michigan, sometimes with a 4 or 5 foot diameter trunk. I had some chunks from such a tree, but they did not have any red staining. The wood was rather plain, without a grain pattern, but turned easily and sanded well. I applied Danish Oil to it, and left a thick coating to soak in overnight. In the morning, a gummy coating was present. After wet sanding with Danish Oil and lots of wiping with blue Scotts paper towels, that gummy residue was gone and a nice finish was obtained. Thanks for the tips on stabilizing punky wood. I use Minwax wood stabilizer and have been very happy with it when turning punky fruitwood (like plum which has a beautiful purple color).
Doug, Thank you for writing and sharing! That's unfortunate about the lack of color in your box elder. It sounds like you got a very nice finish after some effort. Happy Turning! Kent
Hi Kent, I recently came across some beautiful box elder very much like your piece and was able to quite easily turn live edge bowls , it seemed to hang on real tight , obviously a different tree at a different stage of its life , but it’s great to work with and stunning visually , Nice work Kent , I love your videos
2 years ago an arborist neighbor excitedly gave me large intact box elder Logs taken that day. I first turned 4 large bowls. I prepped them as you commonly recommend removing the pith and following with Anchorseal. I also turned several smaller ones as live edge bowls. All the large ones and several smaller ones cracked badly and we're discarded. One surviving is just beautiful and still red. Would you please let us know how yours survives the drying phase. Loved the video and would like to hear yours did better than mine. Thanks Kent!
Barry, Thank you for writing and sharing! Unfortunately there is no way to cover everything needed in a comment, that's why I made the online course Tree to Bowl - Understanding Green Wood. Check it out www.TurnAWoodBowl.com/green All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Thanks so much for the direct, practical and informative videos. I haven't worked with such punky wood before, so your suggestions will undoubtedly be helpful.
@@TurnAWoodBowl Kent, there is an 805 area code number that says I may have won something, but I'm not at all sure that I can trust it. Can you please verify?
Good results from a delicate blank. Liked the use of the shellac and the epoxy - Thin or medium CA glue may also have helped with that soft area. While using resin does include overnight or longer curing time in a pressure pot, it is an excellent way to utilize punky wood if it has become too punky to turn.
Hahaha, before I inherited my Dad's workshop, the last time I turned I was 14! I'm 58 now, the first thing I figured out was I needed a bigger lathe. I took delivery of a Laguna 24/36. Always looking for new techniques, now where to find big wood to turn.
We have those trees here in Arkansas. I've cut down many that had beautiful colors but I didn't have a lathe at the time 😟. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 👍.
If you heat up the epoxy, it will become more fluid and be absorbed deeper into the pulpy wood. I use a hairdryer on high until liquefied. As always very informative.
Up here in Canada we call that Manitoba Maple.It grows pretty fast,but often goes hollow in the pith area when it gets ta bowl size.Lotsa epoxy or C.A. glue with coffee grounds for filler..I referall the newbies I meet at the market I sell at to your channel.
Bob, Thank you for writing and sharing! I like that name "Manitoba Maple." Thank you so much for the references and your support! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
You have more patience than me, regarding punky wood, Kent. I have many box elder bowls turned but not finished. Once I start getting into patching holes, I seem to lose interest. I guess I'm just saving them all up to complete as a batch someday. I find the best finish cut for softwoods is a true push cut with a 40-degree grind, preferably with a 3/8 bowl gouge. The higher the speed the better works great too. I prefer water-based sanding sealer for punky woods and also prior to the finish cut and again before finishing sanding. Many people prefer the natural look of spalted/colored woods. Oil-based finishes tend to change the true colors. It all depends on what look you're after. I hope you get a chance to acquire a nice piece of box elder just before it gets to that punky stage. While not my favorite to turn, it sure looks nice when you get finished with them. Glad you made it through it and thanks for the inspiration to not give up.😉
I usually fix punky spots with ca glue as many woodturners on youtube do. The problem is that these spots won't let finish in then. Next time I'll try it your way. Thanks for sharing this wonderful bowl. Btw. I use burning spirit (don't know the English expression) or isopropanol for solving schellack. That's the cheapest version here in Germany. Happy turning!
Try ethanol... that's the proper name for Everclear or any very high percentage or as near to 200 proof alcohol as your liquor store may have. After the shellac dries, the booze is gone.
I've made a few small tchotchke bowls using flame box elder because a limb from our neighbor's tree fell in our yard this past winter. That wasn't punky but the wood was definitely "softer" than the oak I got from a different neighbor's tree, and had a lot of tear out.
Quite a long video but interesting and educational, I never turned punky wood and maybe didn't have the patience to anyway, enjoyed watching you do it though.
Lovely bowl love the color Have you used Minwax wood hardener or stabilizers on punky woods ? Have you ever turned with lathe in reverse , cutting to the right of center while hollowing ? Chuck needs lock screws nice job
What a beautiful grain. I'll be checking the sawmill for Box Elder I got a punky branch from sawmill that I cut small to make your little cactus 🌵 pots. Got a catch on the first one and it split in half. I soaked 1 in 50/50 mix of sanding sealer (Zinzzer) and alcohol 2nd one in 50/50 of Zinzzer shellac and alcohol, which was too thick to penetrate (I think). If either works, ill let you know after I try turning today.
I trim for a local power company and I see this almost every day. It seems to me the limbs that are trimmed over and over has the most flame. If you catch it at the right time you won’t get the rotten pith. I have some beautiful bowls and vessels. Wish I could share pictures of them.
Paul, Thank you for writing and sharing! The trimming might create the defense reaction in the tree. Great observation! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
The staining is caused by the tree being g wounded somehow the natural defense of the tree protecting it from fungus that could grow in the wounded areas. That is beautiful I lo e turning Box Elder, GA has quite a bit and combined with Ambrosia marking is fantastic.
If you get another chunk of box elder you might want to consider automotive clear coat for your finish, not an oil. Clear coat will leave the red very, very red (like it's wet) and the rest of the wood will be white, not brown. The contrast will be stunning!
Kent, why didn’t you core out the inside of that beautiful blank. I bet you could have made another lovely little turning. 😉 Thanks for the video and the tips. Cheers, Tom
Love the colors and bowl design. I will have to add box elder to my list of wood to look for. Closed rim doesn't mix with carbide tools unfortunately. I still have some learning to do with HSS tool use.
Have you tried reversing your direction and turning the back side? I make closed forms with carbide tools using that method. ***I use set screws to firmly tighten my chuck to the lathe or it would unscrew and be seriously dangerous.***
Enjoyed watching this video. We have quite a bit of boxelder in our area. I'm pretty sure its all punky but it also has that red in it youre talking about. While I use the shallac method taught by you, I also from time to time will use a penetrating exopy I get from Total Boat. It is thin and brushes on and can even be thinned further with acetone to penetrate very deaply. While the cure time is long, a treated blank will turn without tearout. I love the design you chose and the end project is beautiful.
Hi Kent. This box elder bowl is absolutely gorgeous. Love the natural colors. On some of your videos, including this one, it looks like you are turning green wood down to the final form, and then applying Tried and True Danish Oil. Are there any issues with the wood changing shape over time, especially since the wood hasn't been allowed to season? The reason I ask is that I got some green wood from my woodturners club (madrone and elm). I'd love to finish them, but, their endgrains are sealed and they are seasoning.
Hi Kent, first thank you so much for everything you do! If you use Boiled Lindseed Oil -the kind not for using with food, it will restore and keep the crimson reds and compliment the beiges and pop the yellows. If you want to trade a pecan piece for a box elder piece I’ll send you one from MN. :)
Insects, different metals (steel nails, copper,...) rot.... spalt are different things that can cause color in different species. Also think about signing (dremmel, sharpie marking pen, branding or medallion (laser cut veneer, metal shaped or enameled) with a sequence number. Also wood species and year made/ turned. Thanks for sharing your views and techniques.
In our area (West Germany near Cologne) we have the problem that shrapnel from the Second World War is still stuck in older tree trunks in particular! A discoloration of the wood can be a reliable warning! A few years ago, old trees were felled by our neighbors and several chainsaw blades were destroyed.
Grobi, Wow, that is interesting. You can age the tree and locate the years of war. I guess lead bullets would be fine but steel in shrapnel is a different story when it comes to cutting. I've heard stories of American trees being milled with civil war lead shot embedded in the grains. Thanks for sharing. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Kent, some of your casual asides are big ‘Aha!’ moments for your followers. 😊 Also, have you ever used Minwax wood hardener on punky wood areas? Do you think it would work well or are there problems you know of?
Box Elder is almost always punky even if you turn immediately after it’s cut. It grows best it wet marshy areas similar to the local maples. I have cut it and loaded on a wagon to get it out of the woods and the red color would run out on the wagon almost like blood. The color while very red now will change over time to a dull brown. I’m not sure if it’s due to light or oxidation.
Fantastic! As a budding wood turner I have to say your channel is the best on RUclips. You’re a great teacher! Thanks! 😊👍
Wow, thank you Paul! Happy Turning!
In Australia denatured alcohol is called Methylated Spirits. I am not sure if it contains wax or not. By the way I thoroughly enjoy your videos. You and Richard Raffan are my main sources of information and inspiration for turning 😊
Thank you, Rod. I'm blushing to be in the same sentence as Mr. Raffan. ;) Happy Turning!
I'm 'one of those guys' you mentioned who hasn't used a lathe since HighSchool. I have recently started turning again...after MANY years. I find your videos amazing and informative, but more importantly, inspirational. They make me want to get out there and do it, not just watch and say 'ooh ahhh!' That Box Elder bowl is sensational. Thanks.
That is awesome, John! Thank you for writing and sharing! Remember; persistent, patient practice will yield the bowls you imagine creating! Happy Turning! Kent
What a great tutor you are. I learned something every minute. I couldn’t stop watching. Excellent content.
Wow, thanks! Happy Turning!
You've confirmed my suspicion about shellac and it's use for stabilizing. I did the same thing with a punky horse chestnut piece after roughing it out. Now I have more confidence when I put it back up to finish it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
That is awesome Steven! Thank you and Happy Turning!
Shellac has so many uses. Amazing stuff. Sticks to anything.
You are an EXCELLENT TEACHER.
Thank you Harvey! 😃
Box Elder is a dream to turn. We have plenty up here in Montana. I finish a lot of my bowls with Mahoney's oil finish. If I have a problem with end grain, I apply the oil, leave overnight if I have time, and then turn the oiled wood. Works great on cottonwood end grain too. Brass powder and CA glue in small defects looks great too in Box Elder.
Very cool James, Thank you for writing and sharing! Happy Turning!
You had my undivided attention, both for the peice you were making and also for all the tips and tidbits. I learned a lot. And that bowl is gorgeous.
What a lovely “natural” set of colours. I really appreciate your educational explanations for absolutely everything you do.
It’s like a sunburst or a volcano.
Thank you, Philomena! Great image. Happy Turning!
This video gave me encouragement on how to turn the latest piece of wood I was given, and I know I can. Great bowl, great video - thanks Kent.
Your are a real teacher Kent! I am a newbie, but learning a lot from you! Keep up the good work! Greetings from the Netherlands!
Thanks and welcome Dennis! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
That boxelder is amazing. I've never turned it, but it is now on my list of woods I want to try turning. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I think you will like it Jim! Happy Turning!
That turned out beautiful! I 've learned to deal with punky wood by mixing sanding sealer and fine sawdust together. Take care and GOD BLESS 🙏!
Thank you, Stephen. Yes, that's a good idea as well. Happy Turning!
Turned out real nice. Beautiful colors. Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much Lou 😊 Happy Turning!
Excellent job as always Kent. Working with punky wood is always a challenge but you showed it can be worth the effort. High speed, sharp tools, and good slicing technique are prerequisite to creating bowls like this one. Thanks for the shout out!
Awesome wood to turn! Thank you Thurman! Much appreciated! Glad you liked it. Happy Turning!
Kent that Flame Box is stunning and the shape makes it stand out. Congratulations 👏👏👏👏
Thanks Douglas! 👍 Happy Turning!
I have turned some of this. Here we call it Flaming Box Elder for obvious reasons, and I've sold each piece I've made from it except one, which my wife wanted to keep. This is a wonderful turning, Kent. You are an expert at punk management and the shape is lovely.
Thank you kindly Josh! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Thank you so much for this channel and all your information you share so freely. I've binge watched yours and Richard Raffan videos - you are both so inspiring and are my go to teachers. I've just retired and started a woodwork hobby. Absolutely loving it. I got a midi lathe a few weeks ago and made a few things. Looking forward to all the work I can do on it. I have a whole Box Elder tree in my back garden drying out that my neighbour cut down 😃😃
Oooops - just been looking at the info on Elder trees - mine is just the common elder berry tree. Hey ho I'll still use it and see what its like.
Gavin, Thank you for writing and sharing! Thanks for the kind words. Elder berry or Box Elder can be nice to turn. Have fun and Happy Turning! Kent
@@TurnAWoodBowl Kent, thank you for replying to my comment. I made a flipper bench yesterday to house my planer/thickneser and the lathe and also a tool rack mounted on the wall behind it so I'm now ready to roll. 😃😃
Great video. Just cut down 2 boxelders with flame! Had one milled for 2"x 18" planks 11 ft long. The rest are a bunch of bowl blanks ready to happen. Just stuck a limb chunk on to see what the wood demanded and came up with a dry flower vase. Beautiful colors.
Yet another informative and creativity inspiring video. I really enjoy your videos, Kent. I have to be sure that I'm not trying to do anything else while watching/listening to one of your videos, because inevitably I get completely drawn into the video and forget about whatever else I was trying to do. Your content is some of the best I've come across on YT. I find I use more of the techniques you've shared than anything else I've learned from books, articles, or other YT turners. Thank you for continuing to share your knowledge, and keep up your wonderful work.
Brad, thank you so much for the kind words! I'm so glad I'm able to share info that has value for you! I appreciate your support!!! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
wow that turned out beautiful
Thank you, June! ;)
I just bought that t-shirt you are wearing on the video. It's a pretty nice design!
I just finished my 3-year woodturner apprenticeship in Germany and many of the topics you address are NOT part of what I learned.
Please continue making videos and your work as an educator.
That is awesome! Thanks for wearing my shirt. I’m thrilled to be sharing new info with you. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Wunderschönes Holz, klasse Maserung und Perfekte Arbeit 👏👌🤗
Really amazing finish!! Really enjoy your videos as I am new to turning…. They are extremely helpful, thanks!
Thanks for this video--it was very helpful. I am still struggling with two key issues--grain supported cuts and tool positioning--watching you work is very helpful.
Beautiful, I’ve turned it a lot. Thanks for sharing Ken. ❤️
You are so welcome Tony! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
I did not know how that bowl would turn out but at the end but it's amazing the colours that bowl has I always learn something from your videos
Thank you
Regards
Steve UK London
Great tips on the punky wood, the bowl came out very nice, love the stained boxelder, thanks.
Thank you, Mark! Happy Turning!
AT 46:19 that flame look is beautiful! Wood doesn't like flames, but that bowl would not be as nice without the red flames! Thanks for sharing!
You are right! ;) Happy Turning!
Quite often I will use thin CA glue on the punky areas. The alcohol is also known as methylated spirits in some countries ( UK, Australia). Definitely worth the effort Kent. Beautiful bowl
Thank you, Peter! Good to hear from you. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you, Jean!
Kent, another great video. I always pick up at least a tip on two watching you work. Keep ‘em coming. -Dave
Thanks Christine! 👍 So glad you are able to benefit from the videos. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Great video Kent!
Glad you enjoyed it Jon! Happy Turning!
Sure is gorgeous, love the red swirls
Boxelders grow like weeds here in Wisconsin and are cinsidered a nuisance tree along field fencelines. I've turned some very nice pieces out of Boxelder though. And when I do I like to give the wood more dignity so I use it more sophiticated name: Manitoba Maple.
You turned a gorgeous Boxelder (I mean Manitoba Maple) bowl, Kent! It is always a joy to watch your work.
Bill, Thank you for writing and sharing! A beautiful nuisance! ;) Happy Turning!
That bowl is very beautiful.
Thank you, Margaret! Happy Turning!
I agree, the extra time and patience is well worth it, the end product is amazing.
Thank you kindly, Ian! Happy Turning!
Absolutely beautiful bowl! I don't think we have box elder on our property but this makes me want to find some. The red coloring looks great! Thank you for a great video Kent.
Hello Kent. Thanks for the Tips. Very Nice Bowl. Greatings from Germany.
Thanks for watching Jürgen! All the best to you (in Germany) and Happy Turning!
I haven't gone through all the comments to see if this has been pointed out before, but you should note that with Flame Box Elder the red color is not UV stable. If left in any level of sunlight, it will fade over time to brown.
I ever would have guessed that Box Elder would turn that well. I’ve got a grove full of Box Elder. Another great video, Kent. Thanks for sharing
You have a grove of this? Where are you? I've had some of it for turning and other woodwork and we love it. Care to sell some of it?
@@joshblumenthal4873 i’m afraid the shipping would be pretty expensive
LOL ;)
Jim, get out there and get turning. ;) Happy Turning!
Things I've learned: I should use some of my box elder stash for turning and I need to get some shellac flakes! Thanks for the great video!
Thank you, Nathan! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Kent, that box elder which in Canada we call Manitoba maple turned out beautiful. I especially love the red which almost looks like flames.
Thank you, Jack! Happy Turning!
In Canada, they call this Manitoba Maple. It grows in Mid Michigan, sometimes with a 4 or 5 foot diameter trunk. I had some chunks from such a tree, but they did not have any red staining. The wood was rather plain, without a grain pattern, but turned easily and sanded well. I applied Danish Oil to it, and left a thick coating to soak in overnight. In the morning, a gummy coating was present. After wet sanding with Danish Oil and lots of wiping with blue Scotts paper towels, that gummy residue was gone and a nice finish was obtained. Thanks for the tips on stabilizing punky wood. I use Minwax wood stabilizer and have been very happy with it when turning punky fruitwood (like plum which has a beautiful purple color).
Doug, Thank you for writing and sharing! That's unfortunate about the lack of color in your box elder. It sounds like you got a very nice finish after some effort. Happy Turning! Kent
I got sucked in. I'm glad I did. That was fascinating
Thank you, Gumball. Glad you enjoyed. Happy Turning!
Hi Kent, I recently came across some beautiful box elder very much like your piece and was able to quite easily turn live edge bowls , it seemed to hang on real tight , obviously a different tree at a different stage of its life , but it’s great to work with and stunning visually ,
Nice work Kent , I love your videos
2 years ago an arborist neighbor excitedly gave me large intact box elder Logs taken that day. I first turned 4 large bowls. I prepped them as you commonly recommend removing the pith and following with Anchorseal. I also turned several smaller ones as live edge bowls. All the large ones and several smaller ones cracked badly and we're discarded. One surviving is just beautiful and still red. Would you please let us know how yours survives the drying phase. Loved the video and would like to hear yours did better than mine. Thanks Kent!
Barry, Thank you for writing and sharing! Unfortunately there is no way to cover everything needed in a comment, that's why I made the online course Tree to Bowl - Understanding Green Wood. Check it out www.TurnAWoodBowl.com/green All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Very good demo on so many fronts. Manitoba Maple is what we call the wood here in Alberta. Finishes like glass if you stay away from the pith.
Sounds good Scott. I'll have to get my hands on some more. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
That looks awesome!! I haven't turned boxelder yet....hopefully looking forward to it in the near future...thanks again for the great demo.
Any time Danny! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Thanks so much for the direct, practical and informative videos. I haven't worked with such punky wood before, so your suggestions will undoubtedly be helpful.
Thank you, David! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
@@TurnAWoodBowl Kent, there is an 805 area code number that says I may have won something, but I'm not at all sure that I can trust it. Can you please verify?
Fantastic! You never know what you'll find inside a box elder log!
Exactly Lewis. Happy Turning!
Good results from a delicate blank. Liked the use of the shellac and the epoxy - Thin or medium CA glue may also have helped with that soft area. While using resin does include overnight or longer curing time in a pressure pot, it is an excellent way to utilize punky wood if it has become too punky to turn.
Thank you for writing and sharing Qapla! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
👏 super encouraging! Thanks so much.
Hahaha, before I inherited my Dad's workshop, the last time I turned I was 14! I'm 58 now, the first thing I figured out was I needed a bigger lathe. I took delivery of a Laguna 24/36. Always looking for new techniques, now where to find big wood to turn.
Sounds fun Steve. I bet the Laguna was a big step up in turning quality. Enjoy and Happy Turning!
I am getting some box elder from my neighbor. Cannot wait to see what comes out of it.
How it looks great Michael. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Turned out nice. Would like to see it with the shellac finish you said you might do later. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Linda 👍 Happy Turning!
We have those trees here in Arkansas. I've cut down many that had beautiful colors but I didn't have a lathe at the time 😟. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 👍.
If you heat up the epoxy, it will become more fluid and be absorbed deeper into the pulpy wood. I use a hairdryer on high until liquefied. As always very informative.
I really like the tip on using shellac for the punky wood. I've only used CA glue and was never really happy with the results.
Great Mark. Yes shellac will work much better on large areas. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Up here in Canada we call that Manitoba Maple.It grows pretty fast,but often goes hollow in the pith area when it gets ta bowl size.Lotsa epoxy or C.A. glue with coffee grounds for filler..I referall the newbies I meet at the market I sell at to your channel.
Bob, Thank you for writing and sharing! I like that name "Manitoba Maple." Thank you so much for the references and your support! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
we have wood with the pink and red colors,my plant app says it is a kind of walnut.soo pretty. hi from mountains of North Carolina. pretty bowl.
Oh wow, that sounds like interesting walnut, Carolyn. Thank you for writing and sharing! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
What do you prefer to use when turning, a mortis or a tenon? Thanks, to love your videos.
Wow!! Now that's a bowl with some features!!
Thank you, Daniel! Happy Turning!
You have more patience than me, regarding punky wood, Kent. I have many box elder bowls turned but not finished. Once I start getting into patching holes, I seem to lose interest. I guess I'm just saving them all up to complete as a batch someday.
I find the best finish cut for softwoods is a true push cut with a 40-degree grind, preferably with a 3/8 bowl gouge. The higher the speed the better works great too. I prefer water-based sanding sealer for punky woods and also prior to the finish cut and again before finishing sanding. Many people prefer the natural look of spalted/colored woods. Oil-based finishes tend to change the true colors. It all depends on what look you're after. I hope you get a chance to acquire a nice piece of box elder just before it gets to that punky stage. While not my favorite to turn, it sure looks nice when you get finished with them. Glad you made it through it and thanks for the inspiration to not give up.😉
Thank you for writing and sharing Greg. That's some good info. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
I learned to set bottom last. Makes a lot of sense
Roger that Mandy. ;) Happy Turning!
First view!!! It’s definitely the 55 degree sweptback bowl gouge for me!
LOL! Oh bro! I think of you every time I say that phrase! ;)
Love the box elder bowl.
Thank you, Jimmy!
I usually fix punky spots with ca glue as many woodturners on youtube do. The problem is that these spots won't let finish in then. Next time I'll try it your way. Thanks for sharing this wonderful bowl. Btw. I use burning spirit (don't know the English expression) or isopropanol for solving schellack. That's the cheapest version here in Germany. Happy turning!
Thank you for writing and sharing Kerstin! Yes, CA isn't good for large areas. Lots of staining. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Try ethanol... that's the proper name for Everclear or any very high percentage or as near to 200 proof alcohol as your liquor store may have.
After the shellac dries, the booze is gone.
@@tkishkapesilurian4281 I don't know everclear as I live in Europe. Our burning spirit is denatured ethanol. It's around 3 Euros per liter.
I've made a few small tchotchke bowls using flame box elder because a limb from our neighbor's tree fell in our yard this past winter. That wasn't punky but the wood was definitely "softer" than the oak I got from a different neighbor's tree, and had a lot of tear out.
Stuart, Thank you for writing and sharing! Glad you've had a chance to turn this species. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Quite a long video but interesting and educational, I never turned punky wood and maybe didn't have the patience to anyway, enjoyed watching you do it though.
Thank you, Lewis for staying with me! Happy Turning!
I understand the red fades, how do you keep it red? Love your videos.
Good question! Some people actually airbrush red dye in that area.
Beautiful bowl! I made a nativity out of burl wood and one of the pieces had a bit of punky wood. Used ca glue to harden it.
Sounds great Matthew! Happy Turning!
Lovely bowl love the color
Have you used Minwax wood hardener or stabilizers on punky woods ? Have you ever turned with lathe in reverse , cutting to the right of center while hollowing ? Chuck needs lock screws nice job
Thank you, Gary! I haven't tried those. I'll check them out. Happy Turning!
Hi Kent, Great video! Do you have the link for the pure alcohol you talked about?
Thank you, Claudie. Yes, see the description for links. Happy Turning!
Beautiful bowl! Would you post the link for the ethanol you referred to please?
Pamela, your wish is my command…done. ;) Happy Turning!
What a beautiful grain. I'll be checking the sawmill for Box Elder
I got a punky branch from sawmill that I cut small to make your little cactus 🌵 pots. Got a catch on the first one and it split in half. I soaked 1 in 50/50 mix of sanding sealer (Zinzzer) and alcohol
2nd one in 50/50 of Zinzzer shellac and alcohol, which was too thick to penetrate (I think). If either works, ill let you know after I try turning today.
I trim for a local power company and I see this almost every day. It seems to me the limbs that are trimmed over and over has the most flame. If you catch it at the right time you won’t get the rotten pith. I have some beautiful bowls and vessels. Wish I could share pictures of them.
Paul, Thank you for writing and sharing! The trimming might create the defense reaction in the tree. Great observation! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
The staining is caused by the tree being g wounded somehow the natural defense of the tree protecting it from fungus that could grow in the wounded areas. That is beautiful I lo e turning Box Elder, GA has quite a bit and combined with Ambrosia marking is fantastic.
Thank you for writing and sharing Jane! Good info! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
If you get another chunk of box elder you might want to consider automotive clear coat for your finish, not an oil.
Clear coat will leave the red very, very red (like it's wet) and the rest of the wood will be white, not brown.
The contrast will be stunning!
Thank you, Je! Yes, I also use lacquer for a gloss finish and that could look very nice. Happy Turning!
Kent, why didn’t you core out the inside of that beautiful blank. I bet you could have made another lovely little turning. 😉 Thanks for the video and the tips. Cheers, Tom
It really wasn't large enough and I wanted to make the closed rim. Happy Turning!
Good stuff
Glad you enjoyed Happy Turning!
Nice video and good advice. What were to total man hours?
Tim,
Good question. Probably a couple hours. Although it's not easy to say because I was filming at the same time.
Happy Turning!
Kent
Love the colors and bowl design. I will have to add box elder to my list of wood to look for. Closed rim doesn't mix with carbide tools unfortunately. I still have some learning to do with HSS tool use.
Have you tried reversing your direction and turning the back side? I make closed forms with carbide tools using that method. ***I use set screws to firmly tighten my chuck to the lathe or it would unscrew and be seriously dangerous.***
@@DancingFox6 I will have to try that. Thanks 😊
Sounds great Sue! All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Beautiful
I want to get into this so bad but right now I cant. I will be there.
I hear you. I was there once too. You'll get here. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Very nice
Enjoyed watching this video. We have quite a bit of boxelder in our area. I'm pretty sure its all punky but it also has that red in it youre talking about. While I use the shallac method taught by you, I also from time to time will use a penetrating exopy I get from Total Boat. It is thin and brushes on and can even be thinned further with acetone to penetrate very deaply. While the cure time is long, a treated blank will turn without tearout. I love the design you chose and the end project is beautiful.
Hi Kent. This box elder bowl is absolutely gorgeous. Love the natural colors. On some of your videos, including this one, it looks like you are turning green wood down to the final form, and then applying Tried and True Danish Oil. Are there any issues with the wood changing shape over time, especially since the wood hasn't been allowed to season? The reason I ask is that I got some green wood from my woodturners club (madrone and elm). I'd love to finish them, but, their endgrains are sealed and they are seasoning.
Hi Kent, first thank you so much for everything you do! If you use Boiled Lindseed Oil -the kind not for using with food, it will restore and keep the crimson reds and compliment the beiges and pop the yellows. If you want to trade a pecan piece for a box elder piece I’ll send you one from MN. :)
Good tip. Thanks.
Thank you, Mike. Much appreciated. I might take you up on that trade. Check back with me in a couple months. Happy Turning!
Also use food grade butcherblok sealer (canuba wax with beeswax and camphor oil)
Boxelder smells bad when turning but looks so nice after!
Absolutely stunning! You and God made one beautiful bowl.
Amazing.
I’ve also heard minwax water based sanding sealer works as good as wood hardener but have never tried it. Why is wax bad?
Nice!
Thank you, Linda!
I’ve had a spalted fire maple blank that I’ve had for about a year. What makes the spalt ?What happened to the wood to make it that way?
OH, spalt is SO cool. Read this article of mine turnawoodbowl.com/spalting-and-spalted-wood-bowls/ Happy Turning!
Insects, different metals (steel nails, copper,...) rot.... spalt are different things that can cause color in different species. Also think about signing (dremmel, sharpie marking pen, branding or medallion (laser cut veneer, metal shaped or enameled) with a sequence number. Also wood species and year made/ turned. Thanks for sharing your views and techniques.
Thank you, Jude!
How long does it take the shellac to dry before you are turning it.
Not long Mark, maybe 10-15 minutes. Happy Turning!
In our area (West Germany near Cologne) we have the problem that shrapnel from the Second World War is still stuck in older tree trunks in particular! A discoloration of the wood can be a reliable warning! A few years ago, old trees were felled by our neighbors and several chainsaw blades were destroyed.
Grobi, Wow, that is interesting. You can age the tree and locate the years of war. I guess lead bullets would be fine but steel in shrapnel is a different story when it comes to cutting. I've heard stories of American trees being milled with civil war lead shot embedded in the grains. Thanks for sharing. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Kent, some of your casual asides are big ‘Aha!’ moments for your followers. 😊
Also, have you ever used Minwax wood hardener on punky wood areas? Do you think it would work well or are there problems you know of?
Thank you, Lois! What aside did you like? ;) I'm not sure about Minwax. It's worth experimenting with. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Box Elder is almost always punky even if you turn immediately after it’s cut. It grows best it wet marshy areas similar to the local maples. I have cut it and loaded on a wagon to get it out of the woods and the red color would run out on the wagon almost like blood. The color while very red now will change over time to a dull brown. I’m not sure if it’s due to light or oxidation.
Very cool. Thank you for writing and sharing Steve! All the best to you and Happy Turning!