By Doug Miller
We talk about demoitus from time to time. Often we misplace a tool or a piece of equipment doesn’t function as we expect. I’ve had those issues so many times. One thing we can never count on with no thought of miscue is the wood we are using. The saying goes something like, “There’s too much good wood around to waste time on crappy wood.” The idea is so very true. But most of us know that there is often a great treasure hidden inside some of the most unlikely chunks that are available to us, those hidden veins of color or grain that runs along or out from a crack, split, or other defect. For some of us, myself included, the gamble is worth the risk in order to achieve the reward of these hidden treasures.
Two things I want to share from this.
- Don’t discard a piece of firewood just because it’s not perfect. You may have to treat the wood in some way to increase your chances of success. But you may be rewarded with some spectacular grain and/or color in the completed piece. Just thinking about it, you will probably have a greater sense of accomplishment for getting through the challenges that the less then optimal blank presented.
- (Safety Sue is going to love this) With every piece of wood we bring to the lathe, we need to take a GOOD look at it. Is there any loose bark, cracks, splits, inclusions, rot that need to be
addressed before we begin turning? Do we have the skill set needed to address any issues we are finding? Will our lathe handle it? Will our tools handle it? Are we prepared to trash it 3/4’s of the way to completion? Are we ready for the accolades when we do get the piece completed? These are questions I often ask myself and should with every piece of wood. Even when I do check it out very well there can be hidden flaws that are not clearly visible or discerned.
We can never be 100% sure of wood. It’s a natural material after all said and done. We can
however, take any and all precautions to not only increase our chances of success, but our safety throughout the process as well.
Be careful boys and girls.