Beech log cutting and beech vessels

[George Watkins]

hello folks

I have cut the last of a batch of beech that I bought about 3 years ago, I wanted it to spalt with lots of zonal lines but it had other ideas!!

here are two beech logs, both were about 20" wide and by the time the ends were trimmed the blanks from them were about 14/15" long.

this one had better figure but had gone too far in places....


so I cut around the rot and got one 8" blank and two at nearly 5"


the next log wasn't as good and had fine splits in one side


but I managed to get two 6" and two 5" from this log (you can see the splits highlighted in red at the top of the log)


here are the blanks


and here are two similar shaped pieces which I made from a previous log from the same batch

 

[Penpal]

Character in every turn George never know what appears most of the fun thanks mate.

Peter.

 

[bluntchisel]

Thanks for this, George - very informative! And the examples you show are lovely!

Bob.

 

[Bammer]

Very interesting, nice end products as well.

Brad

 

[stevenw1963]

Nicely saved blanks George.

 

[wm460]

That looks very nice.

 

[woodhacker]

Nice little haul there then. I love spalted beech and have made a few stick handles with it. Never tried to turn it but will eventually have a go.
Good on you for doing it yourself but most of us on here don't have the time left to try that.

 

[bassethound]

Some nice bits to play with George, nicely saved mate!...

 

[Bill Mooney]

Some beautiful colours & grain patterns George.

 

[Midnightlunchbox]

The bits you say are too punky, can you stabilise them with resin or is it not worth it?

 

[Jim]

I can see some more lovely pieces coming from these blanks George ..

 

[Dalboy]

Are these still slightly wet when turned or has the wood dried fully

 

[Penpal]

George you sure slayed that dragon.

Peter.

 

[George Watkins]

The bits you say are too punky, can you stabilise them with resin or is it not worth it?

Hi Craig, because the stabilising resin is so expensive to justify it (for me anyways) the wood has to be 1st class, this stuff is a bit average.

 

[George Watkins]

Are these still slightly wet when turned or has the wood dried fully

Hi Derek, yes these are wet when turned, you might be able to dry 4x4 lengths ( I do in ash) but anything larger tends to be too thick and will split badly.
I think this tends to be why most suppliers only go up to 3" on the majority of woods and 4" on certain woods which are more forgiving to dry in thicker sections.