WWA Info Exchange

[rauschnad]

I am sort of new to this turning and started with bowls "easiest " thing I could make..... I have made about 8 , fronm popular to ash to cherry , when i get the down to about 1/4 inch or so i develop cracks across the grain. any way of avoiding this,The wood i have turned is kiln dried and should be stable.....yet they appear after Isand also, Thanks

[DennisS]

There are a number of variables that contribute to shrinkage cracks in turned pieces. First and foremost is what part of the log the blank was cut from and whether or not the pith was included. Not uncommon is for the heat of sanding which causes the wood to shrink even more in spite of it being kiln dried.

Perhaps if you could post a picture of one or two of your pieces to illustrate where the cracks are occuring with enough detail to see how the grain is oriented we could offer better advice?
_________________
Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis

[Jeff Fox]

I have never turned kiln dried wood, which could be your problem. I think it could be too brittle and if there is any reaction in it the wood it will split.

Do you have a chain saw? If you do, go out and get a log (the greener the better) and cut it like this.



See "Log Cut"

You need to cut the pith out to stop it from splitting. Take one of the halves and turn it to a thickness of 10% of the diameter (10" dia turn to 1" thick) in the shape of bowl you desire.

At this point you have several options, a quick internet search should bring up articles on any of these.

Drying bowl blanks using:

50/50 soap and water solution
Alcohol soaking
Put it in a paper bag with shavings

I’ve done all these and they all seem to work, however many turners will tell you that their way is the best way.

If you have any more questions just ask.

BTW we love pictures and welcome to the forum.
_________________
Jeff

If man made it, I can fix it.
If God made it we can pray for it.

Lessons I have learned:
NEVER MAKE ANYTHING OUT OF TEAK
Always remove the zero clearance insert before you tilt the blade DAMHIKT

[NB George]

[Ice Pirate]

First let me welcome you to the forum and I hope we'll be seeing more of you and your work.

As to the checking problem, I think most that I know has already been said. My main points would be to keep the heat in check both when turning and sanding. This is sounding more like a thermal problem than anything. If you are riding the bevel too much, or more to the point applying too much pressure, the friction of the bevel to wood could be enough to cause the wood to crack when it gets thin enough. The same thing goes with the sanding. Also if you are turning a large deep bowl, the pressure applied could be forcing the outer edge out of round while its turning, and the flexing could be leading to the cracking. Keep a light touch.

Hope this helps and again, welcome.
_________________
Frank
WWACOAUX#1
"I love the smell of Sawdust in the morning, it smells like, victory."
WWA'ers I've met: Popeye, Ed Avery, Stephen Wolf, Rockfish, Rodedon

[nailed_nailer]

Welcome,

One other thing that can really contribute to checking in addition to all said above is to use SHARP tools.

A dull cutting edge creats more friction. That creats heat and can cause cracking.

Super sharp tools will go a long way to improving your turning and your results.
Search the web for proper sharpening videos to give you an idea.

Good Luck,

---Nailer---
_________________
No regrets, just some interesting results.
email: nailed_nailer@yahoo.com

[NB George]

Super sharp tools? Ninety and nine percent of turners go right from a grinding wheel (~100 grit) to the lathe. It's the way you present them that makes the difference.

Save the hone and strop for your carving tools or plane irons that have to be used under human power and nose in to the cut. Let the lathe slide the wood along the edge and slice itself off. Don't be in a hurry. Time at the lathe is added to your life, it doesn't take away from it.

[rauschnad]

I am beginning to think I am "rushing " my turning If you look I have posted some photos of cherry and ash bowls I have turned.the cherry is thickest and only cracked on the out side. The ash one cracked all the way through and was much thinner.by the way I am not a photographer ................HAHAHAHA btw the dark spot in the cherry bowl is a discoloration in the wood..

See "stress cracks"

See "stress cracks"

See "Stress Cracks"

See "stress cracks"

[rauschnad]

I have recently cut a log Maple I believe just as you have shown , it was a crotch piece and I will try to cut a bowl from it .I will let you know how it turns out.

[rauschnad]

[quote="rauschnad"]I have recently cut a log Maple I believe just as you have shown , it was a crotch piece and I will try to cut a bowl from it .I will let you know how it turns out.

I almost forgot................. "Not all things that Matter can be counted , Not all things that can be counted Matter" Albert E.

[NB George]

Cherry in the second picture is definitely "from the log" split, not from sanding. The first and third photos don't look to have the split in a position normal to drying stress, either.

How close to the ends of the wood were these bowls taken? Could all be preexisting damage.

[rauschnad]

the ash is from a kiln dried 2 " thick board ,it was not cracked when I started,the cherry was a rough cut 1 3/4" board,I did not see any cracks before I started......they got worse when I sanded.....I think it's heat

[Jeff Fox]

I would have to agree with NB George. Those cracks look very familure. It's possible that you couldn't see the cracks until you sanded it. Been there done that.

If this is your worst problem as a beginner, I'd say you're doing darn good.

Those bowls look great.
_________________
Jeff

If man made it, I can fix it.
If God made it we can pray for it.

Lessons I have learned:
NEVER MAKE ANYTHING OUT OF TEAK
Always remove the zero clearance insert before you tilt the blade DAMHIKT

[rauschnad]

Thanks for the info. I am glad it's not just me....I will keep up the thread as I learn more....any question no matter how DUMB is still smarter than no question at all