American hophornbeam, cob style
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 4:52 pm
Until I save up for briar, I am working with what I have: a covered hardwood pile that's been aging for 5+ years. Mostly sugar maple, cherry, oak and the occasional ironwood.
After having a couple (4) blocks tear out and blow up on me on the lathe, I simplified my process: drill the hole for the shank, drill the chamber, turn the stummel and shank separate and fit them. It worked. mostly. Hophornbeam turns like steel until you catch the grain wrong. I tried at least 3 different grain orientations with no success.
Last and least, Ash sucks for a shank. It splits when you cough on it.
After having a couple (4) blocks tear out and blow up on me on the lathe, I simplified my process: drill the hole for the shank, drill the chamber, turn the stummel and shank separate and fit them. It worked. mostly. Hophornbeam turns like steel until you catch the grain wrong. I tried at least 3 different grain orientations with no success.
Last and least, Ash sucks for a shank. It splits when you cough on it.