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Turning a stummel from grained wood, like oak.

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 7:58 pm
by NevadaBlue
I am a newbie at this process. I am a retired old coot, not looking for commercial help, but needing help with a new hobby. Here goes.

I have my lathe ready to attempt to make a turned stummel. The band saw still needs to be set on it's base so I can cut the rough blank.
I will be working with grained wood, not briar. My 'prototype' learning bowls will be made from an unknown wood that I have in the shop, and the first 'real' bowls will be made from Live Oak. So...

How is the best way to orient the grain? Vertical, as in aligned with the bowl/firepot? Or across the bowl? It seems that across the bowl may be better, but I am not sure.

Re: Turning a stummel from grained wood, like oak.

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 9:33 pm
by Sasquatch
Most woods will eventually leech in show the tars from smoking - so I'd orient it straight up if I could, have the bottom of the bowl be end grain. But it won't matter in terms of smoking quality.

Re: Turning a stummel from grained wood, like oak.

Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 9:18 am
by Massis
either way, won't the tannins from oak make the pipe taste absolutely terrible?

Re: Turning a stummel from grained wood, like oak.

Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 2:09 am
by NevadaBlue
No.