While rummaging around in Tom's shop I came a cross a not very well secreted log of Pacific Yew, about 10-12" in diameter and perhaps 5' long. Judging from the obvious glazed look in my eyes, Tom graciously offered me a chunk.
Truly unfortunate, and through no fault of Tom's, the log has become severely checked along its entire length. Yew is one of the wood species that if the pith is removed will generally not check this bad if at all. But ... that's another story.
First step was to determine how to best utilize the piece. I've opted for a smallish hollow form with as tight a hole in the top as possible to reveal and display the creamy sap wood against the rich coppery heartwood. Since an end grain piece wouldn't be all that successful given all the checking, I decided to rip out (literally) the pith and go for a side grain piece.
This is the half log with a circle template I use (have several sizes) for roughly marking a circle on the convex side of the log.
Yes, it would be easier to mark the circle on the
flat side but then that's a much higher pucker factor operation at the band saw.
I use a yellow china marker to mark the circle which is easier to see than a pencil line
And the finished rough bandsaw cutout
Since the hollow form opening will be at the top of the piece, I drilled a pilot hole for what One Way calls its 'wood worm' which essentially turns a scroll chuck into a screw chuck handy for mounting odd shapes for roughing out. Not the high tech (blue masking tape) depth gauge on the drill bit.
Marking the center along the length of the blank is easy, of course, but the width across it ... I measure the width on the flat side, then transfer it across using a square on the bench
I prefer to do this at the drill press to get something of a perpendicular pilot hole. Now the blank is ready for mounting on the lathe
Best take a look at what we have before we start spinning the thing around
HHhhmmmmm ...
Not good
Egad ... worse
Oh-well, no guts no glory as they say. No, Tom, the checks, other than this one weren't so deep as to require stabilizing with CA. Just this one bad one. I don't spin these things that fast and for sure I don't stand in the 'firing line' of the lathe when I do.
OK. got the back side faced off
And the bad split turned away
But ... there are unfortunately several small branch inclusions that look suspiciously like trouble waiting to happen. We'll leave this on the lathe for the time being and see where they go. If they don't open up too badly, I'll get with the CA and fine sawdust and see what we can make out of it.
Thanks, Tom.