Ash canker pots

[Les Symonds]

A couple of years ago I harvested loads of fallen boughs from local ash trees, among which were a few well-cankered branches. These were stacked away in my spalt pile for a few months and have been drying since then. All three pots cut in-line from the same branch, the largest pot being 230diam x 200tall.

C&C always welcome...Les

[bodrighywood]

Good to see 'crap' wood being used. Often get great effects with it. Like the fact you kept them simple so the wood does all the talking. Not that I expect anything less from you. 

Pete

[Mike313]

There is plenty to see and admire in the wood so keeping the form simple was the right thing to do. I like that they are substantial without being chunky, just the right thickness. I think I like the two smaller ones a little more than the biggest, not sure why. May I ask how you finished them?

[Les Symonds]

...May I ask how you finished them?

Yes you may....I'm a sucker for cellulose sanding sealer followed by a couple of coats of microcrystaline, which can be a problem with so many open surfaces such as there are in these. The sealer is great because it helps to bind loose fibres in the dead barky-bits and the wax has to be applied very carefully to prevent any build up in the voids, so I usually flash over the surface with a blow-torch prior to buffing.
Les

[Bryan Milham]

Les,

I'm also in love with these but...

I've stolen this idea

I usually flash over the surface with a blow-torch prior to buffing.

I'd never even considered doing this, what a clever idea. And I have a couple of London Plane platters that will benefit from the idea tomorrow.

[Mike313]

Thanks for explaining the finish. I would never have thought of the blow torch idea

[georg]

  As you know Les .. I have only ever had one piece and found it an absolute joy to turn and full of surprises
  the pieces here look to have more canker... the slight spalting  adds to the vision of the well formed and
  turned pieces with an excellent finish.
  Kind Regards
  Tony di
 

[Les Symonds]

Thanks Tony/Di.....I still have a piece here for you and if you ever get back to this neck of the woods you can call in for it....or I could send it!

Getting a flowing curve is tricky when there's voids; they keep interfering with the line!

Les

[georg]

 
   Thanks Les.... we haven't forgotten .... life took over for quite a while we didn't go anywhere at all last year and so far
   this ... fingers crossed will be out and about again soon ..... it will be good to catch up.
   Kind Regards
   Tony di

[Derek]

Some great looking pieces Les. Glad you kept them simple to allow the wood to shine

Good to see 'crap' wood being used.

Pete

"crap" wood Pete that in my eyes is gold dust

[bodrighywood]

Some great looking pieces Les. Glad you kept them simple to allow the wood to shine

Good to see 'crap' wood being used.

Pete

"crap" wood Pete that in my eyes is gold dust

Agree hence the quotation marks. A lot of people would bin the wood withiut looking any further. I am the last to throw wood away

Pete

[Derek]

Agree hence the quotation marks. A lot of people would bin the wood withiut looking any further. I am the last to throw wood away

Pete

That is why I have a nice root ball waiting to be transformed and some nice pieces of chestnut burrs which look unpromising but will soon see