Proper playtime

[Tazmaniandevil]

My first turning on the Record lathe was for this month's challenge. I have a week off work, so have been setting out the shed to make more space. I have managed to turn a few things all the same. No point having a bigger capacity if I'm not going to use it. I have rough turned a couple of large natural edge bowls, which have been set aside for later. Today, I decided to put the screw chuck through its paces. I mounted a piece of sycamore, about 200mm diameter and set to work. Despite looking fine in it's natural state, some cracks appeared in the end grain as it was turned into the round.
Such a shame. Although sycamore is a bit bland to look at, I like the shape. Finish is a couple of coats of melamine lacquer.

Onward and upwards as the saying goes.

 

[woodfarmer]

Really nice, I like sycamore, the figuring is very subtle and with a bit of age can look really smart.

Not been able to find any here yet, or maple the trees of which are quite common, but seldom cut.

Getting a bit excited now, my bandsaw has been delivered in the UK and I get to fetch it next week. Think it might be a bit of a squeeze into the car as it is 4 inches longer than the lathe was.

 

[Grahamshed]

Thats a nice shape Taz and I quite like sycamore, its subtle.

 

[winemaker]

Nice bowl

 

[Dalboy]

A good start on the new lathe. Was this piece wet or kiln dried. And the main question is did you have fun

 

[Tazmaniandevil]

The timber has been sitting with painted ends in my shed since 2011. I recovered it after the infamous "Hurricane Bawbag" and cut it into 12" halved logs.
The ends all seemed to be intact with no checking, but it seems this was not the case on the inside. I was probably about ¾" into it before the cracks made an appearance. I would normally rough turn the bowl and leave it for a while, but this was my first play with the new lathe so just went for it. Time will tell whether there will be any movement.