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Chance in a million

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Doug Barratt:
Excellent haul, who`s a lucky fella  ;)

Cheers.

Doug.

Les Symonds:
Hi dr4ag0nfly...but there's a 'but'.....but I'm almost afraid to start work on some of the stuff, especially the burrs, until I am a bit more highly skilled than I am at present. I understand that there's some valuable stuff in there....it would be such a shame to just practice on it. after all, where could I get another 11" disc of 2" pippy elm burr if I stuff this one up?
Les

Bryan Milham:
Les,

I have been turning for a few years now. To start with I bought precut 'turning blanks', rounds or squares, they are expensive, so along with branchwood, I kind of taught myself spindle turning (I did spend a week with Reg Sherwin though), so my toolwork became very good.

But I can't say I learnt to turn until, like you, I bought 14 cubic feet of wood for £200, and suddenly I could throw it on the lathe and not care if I stuffed something up. Now I could 'play', develop forms and shapes/curves just for fun.

Certainly put some of the special stuff to one side, but the rest, it's wood, it grows on tree's, it cost you pennies, go play, go learn, go develop and enjoy it. You'll be a better turner in the end for doing so.

thebowlerhattedturner:
Les, although I agree with Bryan to a certain extent this wood is a valuable commodity even though it grows on trees. I would separate out some of the dark wood like Ebony and African Blackwood and put them to one side to use as finials or stems. get hold of a copy of Bob Chapman's book 50 turned boxes(I think)as there are some good projects in there with excellent drawings and these will help you to utilise some of the 2" square material to it's best. The table legs could be Brazilian Mahogany, hold onto that incase you are asked to do antique repairs.(you can't buy it now)Put the best burrs to one side and practice on the not so good ones. Save the corners from the larger blanks and turn light pulls from them.
 Most of all do not be afraid to turn them as you have the skill needed but please don't waste them.
regards
John BHT
Using the modify button(thanks Andy) the book is Turned Boxes 50 designs by Chris Stott.

woody:
If you want to learn how to turn hard wood you have to turn it if you want to learn how to turn exotic hard wood the same applies you could turn for years and still come across a new wood or even a type of wood you have turned for years that behaves in a totally different manner to anything you have ever turned have a go you may surprise yourself good luck and happy turning

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