So! What didn't I do wrong?

[Bryan Milham]

During the summer I was given a lump of green oak, recently cut and just big enough for a small vase.

So I cut it terribly off centre but left the pith in, formed the outside shape, left the walls thick, only roughly hollowed it and even scorched the inside with a blowtorch. Then I put it into out Sun Room, It's hot and dry.

I wanted it to crack, to split, to tear itself apart radiating out from the pith.

After all of that all I got was these 2 little cracks. So! What didn't I do wrong?

I finished it a couple of days ago anyway. One coat of Danish oil and it still needs its final buffing.

Size 160mm x 110mm (6" x 4½"). Any suggestions and C & C as you will.

[Les Symonds]

Goodness knows where you didn't go wrong...the form is fine, though....very easy on the eye.
Les

[edbanger]

don't you just hate it when that happens - Wood who knows what it's going to do 

Nice looking vase

Ed

[GBF]

Probably OK because it is quite thin.
Nice form.

Regards George

[Bryan Milham]

The walls are thin now George, about 4mm. But while drying it was around 25mm and a thick base.

[TWiG]

Dragonfly..........why did you scorch the interior ?   this would  have had the effect of "shrinking " the internal wood effectively helping the exterior not to split as it is not drying and shrinking faster than the interior causing the typical radial splits .. it appears it is only the sapwood that has split  which is not at all unusual ....looks nice though ...Terry ..

[georg]

    A bit of George & Terry........ Another way Bryan would have been to leave the whole of the pith in ( cut at the other side of the pith)
   As said wood does what it wants to do ..... Nice Form Though. Could always try sticking it in a bucket of water for a week.
   Regards Tony d