Green is easy, kiln dried is what's almost impossible to find.I'm curious again. Where are you going to get a solid green wood BW blank about 12-13" d x +8" t to turn into a salad bowl?
Green is easy, kiln dried is what's almost impossible to find.
My SIL wants me to make her a good size, 12 - 13" dia. at least 8 " deep salad bowl out of walnut. First, Is walnut food safe? Second, should I use a solid piece or glue this up? Thanks
Thank you for the info. I have turned bowls this size and I have attended one of Charlie's classes. I have turned green and dry wood. My lather is a HF 12*32 the 12 is pushing it in my opinion but I have done 10" bowls with no problem. If nothing else I can swing the headstock to get the 12". I was looking more towards laminated but from what I got from Charlie's class he puts a floating bottom in it so that when the wood moves the joints will not separate. I really don't want to turn a green piecePhillip, Could you tell us a little more about the project.
Specifically, have you turned this size bowl before?
What size lathe are you using?
Do you have access to and experience with green stock or were you leaning towards laminate?
Without knowing your specifics, here is a reasonable stab at an answer. If you haven’t turned bowls in this size, I would absolutely use laminated flat material.
If you’re lathe is of a marginal size, then go with laminated flat stock. You will be able to assemble a relatively balanced built up turning blank.
Since the stock is dry, you can build a blank with the center already removed. This will save much time as well as money.
A laminated bowl can be customized by varying how you assemble the pieces. Turners like Charlie are the real experts on this.
As far as toxicity, here is a reference that was posted before. I would not feel uncomfortable with a walnut bowl.
Wood Allergies and Toxicity | The Wood Database
www.wood-database.com
It should be mentioned that if you turn it green, you'll need to wait several months before doing the finish turning. A segmented bowl can be turned to a finished product all at once. It will also be much easier to source 4x4 or 8x4 stock to glue up as opposed to a blank 9+ inches thick to yield a 8'' deep bowl.
I would avoid walnut (and walnut oil) if you know someone who is allergic to tree nuts might eat from it. In theory it is OK for such people, but it is not worth the risk (or the questions from nervous moms etc) IMHO.
"I haven't thought about the allergies. I will get with her and see what she says."
Not trivializing the concern but realistically how much risk is there for a walnut bowl or walnut oil on any bowl? No one is going to be eating (consuming) much of either one.