Got any tips for making a simple vase?

[Mad Dog]

Hi Folks,

Looks like the wife needs some prezzies to hand out as a "thank you" gift for folks that helped out at a conference she recently attended. Fortunately, the emphasis is on hand made gifts. Since I have some small dogwood pieces I thought I'd try and make some vases. Then the wife can get some dried flowers, or what-not, with a little bow and Bob's your uncle.

The tree fell down during hurricane Fran so that would be a point of interest - if I can make a half decent job turning the blanks into vases. (Hey! I just made a pun!).

OK. The plan is:

1. Use an axe to remove the bark and rough cut to roundness
2. Drill a 3/4" hole about 2" deep in one end.
3. Make (on the lathe) a cone shaped plug to fit in the hole.
4. Mount the blank on the lathe and try and get a good shape

Can I (theoretically at least) finish off both ends of the vase on the lathe? (the tree was cut up with a chain saw)

Much appreciate any tips!

Cheers!

 

[sawduster]

i'm no expert, but I've turned a few " weed pots " in my day and do all of it on the lathe.

View image in gallery​

I have an arbor chuck for drilling the holes that you can borrow . We can hook up someday soon if you like and I'll be glad to show you how I do it. :icon_thum

 

[Mad Dog]

Robert,

Wow, that is very kind - I would love to come over and see how you do your pots. I'll send a PM.

Weed pots! Ha! That is a good name.

Cheers!

 

[Mad Dog]

Well, Robert and myself got together Sunday and had a good ole time. Robert was kind enough to show me his techniques on the lathe for making weed pots and bowls.

I've sent away for the Barracuda chuck (500K) and a roughing chisel after seeing how well they perform on Robert's lathe.

Ha! Driving to the grocery store today I was visualizing new vase designs and checking out the road side for dead trees to haul off.

We have a monster white oak that fell during hurricane Fran - its rotting away in the woods but I checked it with the axe and I think there are some good wood still there. Also found a small dead cherry tree (I think) and another fallen hardwood tree that I have yet to identify. Happy days!

Cheers!

 

[ScottM]

Ha! Driving to the grocery store today I was visualizing new vase designs and checking out the road side for dead trees to haul off.

Once you start turning you will NEVER EVER look a trees the same way again.

 

[Mad Dog]

I hear you, Scott. At first it was just looking at fallen trees, now I'm eyeing a dogwood that isn't dead but looking a bit rough.

Beginner's luck - that cherry tree is too badly split for vases (but good for pens, maybe) but that that fallen hardwood I mentioned is a walnut tree! Ar, ar!

It's only aboout 7" diameter (heartwood) at the base but plenty good enough for me. The upper part of the tree I can use for vases, the lower part I'm either splitting twice for 4 vases or splitting once for a couple of bowls (with the center of the tree cut out, as Robert recommended)

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Is this a good plan? I don't want to waste good walnut.

The vase material I'll turn until round then store in a bag with the wood shaving for a month. The dish material, I'll cut the corners off and store also.

The roughing gouge hasn't arrived yet - in fact PSI haven't even shipped it - are they normally that slow - I put the order in Sunday. Must be patient.

Here's a close-up of the spindle gouge I'm roughing out with - seems like I should grind it at a different angle to remove those ears, whaddya say?

View image in gallery​

I'm having too much fun - are you sure this is legal?

Cheers!

 

[ScottM]

The very center rings are no good for turning. Most of the time they will split. IMHO it is better to cut the logs with a saw then to split them. Splitting caused fractures.

 

[Mad Dog]

...Splitting caused fractures....

Scott, that is most interesting.

The St. Roy mantra has always been to split the wood to maintain strength. Thinking about it, I suppose banging the log with a maul and froe would tend to upset the bonding within the wood and lead to splits in a fragile vase/bowl.

I've taken your advice and started to chainsaw the logs lengthwise - easier than I thought and almost as quick as splitting.

Thanks for your recommendation!

Cheers!

 

[Mad Dog]

The very center rings are no good for turning...

Has anyone tried boring out the center rings in vase turning?
ie:
1. Turn the blank to final shape
2. Turn a tenon at the bottom end
3. Replace the headstock spur with a 4 jaw chuck and the tail end center with a drill chuck
4. Put the tenon in the 4 way chuck and drill a hole as far as you can
5. Grip the hole with the pin jaws and remove the tenon with a bowl gouge
6. Drill through bottom until there is a bore hole along the length of the vase
7. Fit a plug in the bottom and square it with a bowl gouge

Seems like a lot of work but not if you only have small diameter trees to work with.
I'm probably missing the point - just pondering.

Cheers!