I Bought The Most Expensive Burl On eBay - Woodturning project

In this video, I'm unboxing and turning the most expensive burl available on eBay - a beautiful Thuya burl woodturning project!
Thanks for watching and feel free to leave comments in the chat below.
Support the channel and buy merchandise: ko-fi.com/mikeholton
HBN Remote Control Plug Socket
3 pack - amzn.to/3ZU0r2x
5 pack - amzn.to/3rXCBGo
Interested in the RingSkins ring protector?: www.amazon.co.uk/stores/RingS...
Tools I use:
Record Power Regent Lathe: www.yandles.co.uk/record-powe...
Record Power turning tools and chucks: www.yandles.co.uk/search/Reco...
Facebook: / mike-holton-hand-made-...
Instagram: mikeholton_...
Website: mikeholton.net/
Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/mikeholton
And special thanks for the intro music goes to: Clemintine Sound Design
search/top?q...
DISCLAIMER :
All of my videos are designed to be entertainment only. Please follow all required safety measures when using tools or machinery and always read and understand the manufacturer's guidelines and safety instructions.
The methods I demonstrate are not to be used as a guide for best practice. Thanks

[@bradb7223]

What a beautiful piece of wood. I have two rules for producing great turnings 1) Start with a great piece of wood. 2) Don't screw it up! Just that easy...LOL

[@MikeHolton]

You hit the nail on the head then 😀

[@thomasinlondon2849]

I commend you for producing such a beautiful piece. Great judgement from start to finish. A really beautiful work of art.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Thomas 😀

[@larryburrough3024]

Like a true tradesman, you handled your accident with bravery and grace. In my 42 year career, this happened to me on a few occasions. Most of the time, I didn’t stop with the project. I kept on and finished the endeavor. Well done Mike, Well Done.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Larry, so kind of you to say. We have two choices when things go wrong, we can shout about it and make a fuss or we can carry on and finish, like you I'm in the get on with it camp. All the best, Mike

[@keithmetcalfe3990]

You could have tried to catch it😂😂. Scary piece but well recovered nice bowl and a great outcome👍

[@MikeHolton]

@@keithmetcalfe3990 🤣😂 good point, I'll give it a go next time 😂😂😂

[@paulg6637]

@@MikeHolton there's also the option to shout and make a fuss, perhaps swear a little (or a lot), and then carry on and finish it. Either way, that's a beautiful piece of wood and lovely bowl. Great job.

[@MikeHolton]

@@paulg6637 haha thanks Paul 😅

[@stephentranter854]

That grain. Best I have seen in a long time

[@MikeHolton]

Completely agree, I've never turned anything like it 😁

[@cynthiahamptonprince9449]

I love the way you amend your design as you go. You let the wood speak to you. Bravo!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks, the wood has a better plan than I usually do so best to listen 😀

[@PaulEast]

That's an amazing bowl. Congratulations.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Paul ☺️

[@PaulEast]

@@MikeHolton I'm learning about turning before I get a lathe and I'm pleased I've found your channel, loads of inspiration!

[@MikeHolton]

@@PaulEast Thanks so much Paul, glad you enjoy it

[@catherinegoodenow7007]

I'm surprised my neighbors did not hear me gasp when it went flying!!! My sleeping dogs jumped up at my gasp! I love the double grooves on the sides and mirrored on the top. That burl could not be any more beautiful and your work brought that beauty front and center!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Catherine and please apologise to your dogs on my behalf 😀, all the best, Mike

[@peterbriggs3408]

Almost screamed when it went flying. So glad you recovered it and well done on your verbal self control at that point 🙂

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks Peter, I'm generally quite calm in these situations 😜

[@lefouineurdevideoinfoetc..3896]

@@MikeHolton : le principal c'est que tu n'été pas devant , on sans fou du bol 🤷🏻‍♂🙄 il est con l'autre là 😁 résultat magnifique comme très souvent avec une grande métrise 😉👍🏻

[@MikeHolton]

@@lefouineurdevideoinfoetc..3896 Haha merci, je sais comment me protéger 😅

[@lefouineurdevideoinfoetc..3896]

@@MikeHolton 😁😁👍🏻👍🏻

[@QueenQuill]

This burl is absolutely incredible! The patterns in it are amazing. I also wanted to thank you for leaving in the part of the video where the bowl flew off of the lathe. As an artist myself, I find that people think that I just produce a piece magically out of thin air without any difficulty. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "I could never do that", and because of that mindset, people never try it for themselves. The thing is, even if someone has been honing their craft for a lifetime, mishaps still happen. We're all human, and none of us are perfect. The only failure in mistakes is if you fail to learn from them. So thank you for keeping that bit in your video. I can't wait to see what you do next!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much and I agree completely with what you said. It was a conscious decision from the start to show everything that happens, the good and the bad because this is real life. It is also good to show people that we learn the most when we are faced with problems and by overcoming them we become better at what we do. Thanks as always, Mike 😀

[@georgestich]

I’m amazed at Mikes hidden talent of sharpening his tools up. That really is an amazing skill in itself. Another remarkable bowl with a grain to get lost in. Excellent.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much George 😀

[@LOTGiscool]

Just sitting here admiring the bowl when it flew off the lathe. Wasn't expecting that! But that wood is gorgeous.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@chenjung407ad]

I always love seeing the wobble disappear when you make the outer edge round

[@MikeHolton]

I know what you mean it's a great feeling 😀

[@sherrillsturm7240]

I like you sharing your artistic decision making, checking for balance and workable shapes. Your sang froid when something goes amiss is admirable. It's like, ok, now what to do to fix it? I strive to be that way in my creative projects, but don't always succeed.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Sherrill, these thanks happen and all you can do is carry on and make the best of it 😀

[@charmainerohde8575]

Beautiful wood, spectacular bowl, and no human was harmed in the making of this piece!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha I always try to keep well out the way 😜

[@jamescollins798]

Wow, Mike! You started with a beautiful burl and ended up with a beautiful bowl. Well done, I say. Thank you for including the accident. It could have easily been edited out, yet you recovered and it ended up making little difference to the finished product.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks James, I only try to deal with real life so will always show mistakes, accidents etc. It's bets we all learn together 😀

[@robertkurilla7859]

That is a very gorgeous piece of wood and your workmanship again is like a piece of art out of all the videos I’ve watched. I loved all the bowls. I don’t think you made an ugly bowl yet Another job well done thank you for the videos

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Robert, there is one of mine that springs to mind as being ugly but then again beauty is always in the eye of the beholder 😀 All the best, Mike

[@judithstanka6471]

Oops?!? I have half a heart attack when it goes flying and you just oops? That must be the famous english understatement... 😲 I´m amazed and now somewhat sad, that no one kept the root part of the giant Thuja, that stood in front of our house when I was a kid. Beautiful work as always!

[@MikeHolton]

haha thanks Judith, 'oops' is a common English expletive 😀

[@stuart26feb]

I've just sat and watched this 3 times. Such a beautiful piece. I can not wait to get my woodturning shop back up and running ..

[@MikeHolton]

Wow, thanks so much Stuart! I hope you are back behind your lathe soon 😀

[@frand9174]

I know nothing about wood turning. I just find the process mesmerizing and relaxing to watch. The resulting pieces are always amazing. It takes a true artist to uncover the hidden beauty within a piece of wood created by nature.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much 😀

[@scottfifer4362]

Such a beautiful bowl! I love burl wood. I must admit, my heart skipped a beat when it went flying, but I figured if it was destroyed, there wouldn’t be a video. I was correct, and I’m very glad it survived with only minor, reparable injuries. Great job.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Scott, as long as it stays in one piece I can repair it 😀

[@ClickandTurn]

Very, very nice ... a deep and rich burr. 'Wobbliness' - like that term, has a certain ring to it 😁

[@MikeHolton]

Haha being dyslexic words are generally not my friend 😂

[@ClickandTurn]

​@@MikeHoltonmy friend, the word suits the meaning. Not only do I have wobbliness at the lathe, I get it when I get up too quickly as well 😂😂

[@MikeHolton]

@@ClickandTurn 🤣😅

[@tonymazzan6067]

Love the comment when the bowl exited the chuck .... "Oops"

[@MikeHolton]

Haha probably a bit of an understatement lol 😀

[@loopinnerthe]

When a poet writes a poem it lives for the reader to soak up the words and unravel the meaning. To seek what it says to them and a guess at understanding what it meant to the author. It is more than the sum of its parts more than letters more than words more than just a story. To me this piece is so complex and beautiful that it probably needs to be touched, appreciated and understood over a significant time. You may have snapped a yellow pencil on it but your poetry shines out from it. Thanks Mike for what you do.

[@MikeHolton]

Love reading your comments and you never fail to bring a smile to my face. All the best my friend, Mike

[@martinriley106]

The burr bowl looks really stunning it reminds me of burr walnut.

[@MikeHolton]

It's similar but so different to turn

[@DavidStillberg]

My heart nearly stopped when the bowl took a tumble - amazed by your calm and wits!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks David, luckily I have quite a calm nature 😀

[@kirstenschaney8375]

Amazing wood grain! Just beautiful.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Kirsten 😀

[@barbfrazier4329]

As a seamstress, my moto was not "can you do it perfectly the first time, but how can you fix a problem that comes up while wotking on it."

[@MikeHolton]

Well said Barb 😀

[@katelinnett9020]

Hah! I jumped and scared the cat! These videos are getting quite exciting!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks Kate, apologise to your cat for me please 😀😂

[@stucook8622]

Great video! Im glad you didn't get hurt when your piece took leave of the chuck. Thanks for another interesting video.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks for watching! All the best, Mike

[@JMcdon1627]

I nearly had a heart attack when the bowl took flight. Now I can breathe again. Beautiful wood. You are a true craftsman.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you do much, all the best, Mike

[@benketteridge9150]

What a beauty! And 'oops' was not the phrase I uttered when I saw the 'event' in the middle!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks Ben, child friendly as always lol

[@countrytxrose]

Another BEAUTIFUL project, love the coloring of the wood. You sir have a talent, skill making things like this with wood

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much 😀

[@michaelmcdermott2178]

After watching this, I don't believe I'll be turning any Thuya burl, but I sure am glad you did! You're a better man than I. Thank you for sharing.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks Michael, all the best, Mike 😀

[@robertboycewoodturningn.c.7838]

Beautiful piece of burl. Well done 👍.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Robert, how's things with you?

[@bevharrison8157]

Worth every penny in my Book , a gorgeous piece of wood turned into yet another wonderful bowl. Great recovery , my heart skipped a beat when it flew off !!

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you enjoyed it Bev, the wood is amazing and the rapid exiting of the bowl gave me a bit of a jump as well 😀

[@MrEsPlace]

I'm a wood carver and learned long ago to work over a large rubber mat 1: for when I inevitably drop something 2: it's soft to stand on

[@MikeHolton]

Luckily I do have soft runner matting now, I put it in just before doing this bowl 😀

[@snufflepig60]

What a lovely piece!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@andrewhall1693]

Simply stunning work Mike ....well done and thanks for sharing

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you enjoyed it Andrew 😁 all the best, Mike

[@mandkventures4591]

Absolutely beautiful bowl!! Great job and great save!!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ianlee9755]

Absolutely beautiful piece, nicely done Mike.

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks Ian 😄

[@kevinwesteneng3778]

Stunning. I have no other words to describe the result

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Kevin 😀

[@anthonyvilgiate6711]

that is such a lovely piece Mike! I do love watching your style and dedication to craft and clear explanation of the steps you take! Thank you!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Anthony, and thanks for your continued support, all the best, Mike 😀

[@3pawmom]

That is spectacular and your recovery from an oops is great!!!!

[@user-hy5rb7wo9v]

What a beautiful bowl. A wonderful piece!!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Al 😀

[@jeanlong4285]

Absolutely gorgeous. Great job

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you Jean 😊

[@huberthicks9080]

Worth every penny, Mike. Gorgeous!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Hubert 😀

[@marybethhuson295]

What an absolute gorgeous piece😍 I love the design you came up with and keeping it a hefty piece.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Mary, sometimes wood need to be left chunky and imposing, I wanted it to feel like it will last 1000 years.

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

That burl would look amazing as veneer on furniture!

[@MikeHolton]

yes it would 😀

[@loranwfry-zu9pu]

Absolutely beautiful Mike. Very nice work. Nice recovery too.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you kindly Loran, luckily the damage was not too bad 😀

[@patrickwalsh9453]

Another amazing work, Mike. With the amount of resin in that burl, you should collect the shavings and compress them to make what will probably be the best fire starter next to gasoline!! Thanks again for sharing!

[@MikeHolton]

I did think this, it's just full of it ! 🤣

[@amandavandermerwe7035]

What a magnificent bowl! Best one yet, love love love!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Amanda 😀, all the best, Mike

[@charlesrivers4393]

Well Done. Thanks for taking us along.

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you enjoyed it, all the best, Mike 😀

[@cathymcguire368]

Gorgeous, Mike!

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks Cathy 😀

[@annstevens1274]

Wonderful piece!

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks Ann ☺️

[@Raziel1984]

i like how you include your thoughtprocess in the videos.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks! I just want to try and share as much of the process as possible 😀

[@martinriley106]

My heart sunk when that came off the lathe.

[@MikeHolton]

Mine too !

[@normangreenwell2425]

Stunning piece of wood Mike

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Norman 😁

[@ronkiskowoodart9680]

Stunning bowl!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Ron 😀

[@sverresteinsland5582]

Good job! Looks amazing!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers Sverre

[@markdesautels4764]

Beautiful piece. The wood grain is gorgeous.

[@MikeHolton]

It really is! Thanks Mark 😀

[@spiderspid]

Stunning piece , and one of my favourite go to shapes/style , really pleased you went that way 👍👍👍

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers! 😊

[@jenniferbeasley9966]

Absolutely beautiful love that wood grain design love it ❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much! 😀

[@TheBerteh]

Another fantastic piece. Amazing grain and the grooves on the rim look really nice 🙂

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much 😀

[@EightBitTony]

Heart in my mouth when it jumped!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha mine too 😀

[@von-iv1jo]

I love that wood. It's so beautiful.

[@MikeHolton]

It really is! 😀

[@michaelbirchall2247]

That's a stunning bowl! When I was at school I did some turning in woodworking class, the teacher was very good at turning and showed me a technique where you use the chisel at a certain angle while cutting which causes the back of the chisel to make contact with the wood which smoothes and polishes behind the cut, there was no need to sand. Another sanding tip was to use a handful of the sawdust to press against the piece, which does a great job at sanding and polishing.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Michael, the chisel (skew) method works well but not on this shape that is more for spindle turning, the sawdust method is better (burnishing) and I probably should use this method more. Thanks again, Mike

[@michaelbirchall2247]

@@MikeHolton No worries. Yes the spindle turning makes sense. I was pretty sure you know what I was saying, so was just putting it out there. I really enjoyed your video, and made an audible gasp when the bowl jumped off the lathe. I'm surprised you were so calm about it (at least on video). I'll check out more of your content. Thank you.

[@michaelbirchall2247]

@@MikeHolton By the way; did you say the wood is Thuja? as in Thuja Plicata? (Weston Red Cedar).

[@MikeHolton]

@@michaelbirchall2247 Hi Michael, no it's Thuya as in Tetraclinis articulata 😀

[@mlkin3169]

absolutely beautiful piece of work

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much!

[@chagildoi]

Such a beautiful piece, well done

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much! 😀

[@Philoctetes76]

That is a stunning piece. The grain looks amazing.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Phil 🙂

[@StephenM67]

Beautiful piece

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Stephen 😀

[@lynnrogers-zx5yp]

So many decisions to make while doing this. I wouldn’t know where to begin. You did such a wonderful job. It’s beautiful…. ❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Lynn, it was certainly an interesting turn 😀

[@debraculbertson3915]

Beautiful!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you Debra 😊

[@stevefromlondon9175]

What a beautiful piece of wood it has such a rich colour love the design my mouth dropped when the bowl went for a walk thank god it was only minor damage & you made good Regards Steve UK London

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Steve, the bowl making a rapid exit was a bit of a surprise lol 😀

[@AnimalWhisper007]

Love this piece

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@meredithnavin1358]

Looking forward to seeing this!

[@MikeHolton]

Hope you like it! 😀

[@howardbeaver4937]

Fantastic piece. I especially enjoyed you chat as you went through the design process, I might have actually learned something.

[@MikeHolton]

Glad it was helpful, I try to go through everything I'm thinking so we can all learn together.

[@OlJarhead]

Beautiful piece!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much!

[@haidergildred2621]

Beautiful wood grain thanks for sharing!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you too! All the best, Mike 😀

[@troybaldwin5329]

That sir was amazing and the bowl was beautiful thank you for sharing the experience

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you enjoyed it Troy, all the best, Mike

[@jimflinn8305]

Another beautiful piece 👍

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Jim 😀

[@Frank18750]

Great Turning On a very unique burl. It came out stunning. Thank You Mike

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Frank, all the best, Mike 😀

[@arnhemseptember2009]

That wood is stunning!

[@MikeHolton]

I think so too! All the best, Mike ☺️

[@user-nx8gk1le2m]

I absolutely love the grain on this, spectacular piece Mike

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Rena, it is just a bit special!

[@andreweastwood862]

Smashing piece of turning, and I love the way you share the design struggle, as there are always so many options. The design you ended up with was stunning and really suited the wood. Thank you.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Andrew, glad you liked it 😀

[@convon712]

Most beautiful piece of natural wood I've ever seen.

[@MikeHolton]

Wow, thank you!

[@bigboy9706]

Beautiful piece that Burl is fantastic

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you kindly 🙏

[@robinhorton6625]

Amazing work, love the finished item, and the way you turned it with skill.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Robin 😊

[@cudamank]

Amazing piece!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks John 😀

[@tomburns7544]

What a stunningly-beautiful piece of wood and your design certainly did it justice, Mike. Well done!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Tom, this one was tough!

[@loisstump5990]

Breathtaking!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Lois 😀

[@gluey27]

Wow that grain is stunning. I loved watching this and even the scare. Great work.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much, all the best, Mike 😀

[@79Firegirl]

You stun upon a gorgeous piece of wood.. and you made a beautiful piece out of it again.. 👌👌just love it.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much 😀

[@user-sy6hx6pt4y]

You are very skilled Mike and the work you produce is stunning, both in design and choice of wood. Learn so much from your videos.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Alan, I try and treat it like we are all learning together 😀

[@paulevans180]

Wow what a fantastic job you have done with that piece. I like the fact that you show the thought process and miss haps and how calm you just got on with the turning.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Paul, no point making a fuss about it, it's happened so we move on 😀

[@robertwilson54]

Another beautiful piece, what a craftsmanship

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Robert 😊

[@jaynerichards7527]

Wow❤❤❤.I do love your work and the ways you respond to the materials.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Jayne 😀

[@vinimarshall7301]

Thats super nice real wood , another lovely piece of art Mike 👍👏👏👏👏

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks my friend, tough one but happy with the outcome 😀

[@sharonpower9749]

I was a metal working machinist for 35 years. Our cutting tools are always bolted down. I always cringe while watching you wood turners, and wondered if you ever launched your projects, as your free handed turning tools look so dangerous. Thank you for leaving in the flying bowl segment ,(very honest), and very real reality T.V. The bowl looks like an offering plate from my church. Thua trees are used in herbal medicine. They distill the oil from the needles, so it makes since that the wood has a lot of resin in it.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much, I try to keep everything I do as real as possible, win or loose you get to see 😃

[@MrPrime2357]

I was doing an internship at a metal workshop and they had a balancing machine - i just remembered all of the little holes in their roof, which was due to the little weights which came of during balancing:D Additionally they had the machine setup in such a way, that if something came loose the workpiece would go through a wall and into an open field. One of the older journeyman actually saw one time the aftermath of a workshop after a big workpiece came loose during the balancing, everything in it´s path was destroyed. Including the wall on the other site:D

[@MikeHolton]

@@MrPrime2357 WOW! Glad I do not work with things that heavy!

[@chrisheadrick247]

How much is 150 lb in dollar

[@MikeHolton]

@@chrisheadrick247 it's about $190

[@CJyoumark456]

That is truly an amazing piece of tree. Love it.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@anniegeturgun3564]

I enjoyed watching this so much I actually crave trying it. It looks addicting! And the finished bowl is gorgeous!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Annie, be warned it is very addictive and amazing fun, you should give it a go 😀