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This page is made up of Hand turned and carved ornamental hollow forms made up
of various sustainable woods from around the world. It also describes the experiences
creating spalted wood. The following are experiences of
individuals who created spalted wood. The experiences of
Todd, Rob, and Ron are documented in an article, Buried
Treasure:
Learn How Three American Turners Create Their
Own Spalted Wood, and Then Firm It Up For Turning,
posted at www.woodturningplus.com/buried_treasure.htm.
The article, written by Ron Hampton, was originally
published in Woodturning magazine (Issue
No. 73). A live tree is cut into rounds
that are 5 to 6 inches longer than the diameter. The
rounds are stood on end in a fungus-strewn area in the
shade; the wood is wet and is covered with wood
shavings. Within a year or so, spalting occurs
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Todd has created many beautiful
spalted pieces by burying rough-turned green wood in
moist sawdust for about 6 months. (In humid climates,
the burial time would be much shorter.) The sawdust
often stains the wood in a desirable way, while the
fungus is creating other decorative marks. In addition,
mushrooms and roots grow and leave root trails and
irregularities in the wood.
***********
Rob makes a .spalting sauce. by
mixing a can of beer, 1-1/2 tablespoons of ammonia, 1
cup of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (mixed double
strength), and oak leaves mixed with grass clippings. He
chops the ingredients in a food processor to create a pastelike mixture, then covers the surface of a
rough-turned vessel with the mixture. He places the
turning in a plastic bag, and leaves the bag in a warm
place for several weeks. When he is satisfied with the
spalting, he finishes turning the vessel.
***********
Ron put a large piece of walnut in
a plastic bag and forgot about it for 6 months, while he
built his wood shop. Taking a rest one day, he opened
his garbage sack and found a well-spalted piece of
walnut. He felt as though he had discovered a magical
treasure, having put a $50 piece of wood in the plastic
bag and pulling out a piece worth $1,000.
Caution
Although the white rot fungi responsible for the
decorative appearance are not pathogenic (a health
problem), there might be some moulds associated with the
spalting process that could cause allergies in people.
It is also possible that some pathogenic moulds, such as Aspergillus fumigatus (responsible for
.farmers lung.), might be present, so it is always a
good idea to work in well-ventilated areas.
The various woods used in turning the hollow forms on this page are: Ebony, Sycamore, Spalted Sycamore
and Cocobolo.
Commissioned works - Why not have that special one off piece crafted by a
professional woodturner.
I am available to make commissioned pieces for any special occasion, to your requirements . To discuss your requirements contact
me
Here
Note:
You can view a
bigger version of the wood turned items by placing your mouse curser on the
image and click. A new window will open with the larger image. When finished
viewing, just close the window and come back here to view the others.
Colour and markings may differ in
appearance slightly in your finished turning from the one's shown in the photo's
depending on wood used at the time they are turned. Each item is handcrafted
individually, so slight variances should be expected especially if ordering more
than one item. The sizes listed are approximate. They may be a couple of
millimetres taller, longer, wider or little shorter, etc.
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