Making a Hollow Vessel from a Black Acacia Stump | David J. Marks Woodworking School

Here’s something I’ve been working on lately! A friend gave me this Black Acacia stump, and I’m turning it into a hollow vessel. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about the process!
What I cover in this video:
- Selecting the most promising section of the stump for turning
- Rough-cutting the blank on the bandsaw for optimal shape
- Safely mounting heavy, green wood on the lathe
- Choosing and sharpening the right tools for each stage
- Shaping the exterior to achieve an appealing form
- Woodturning and hollowing techniques using specialized tools
- Managing moisture content in green wood during turning
- Achieving consistent wall thickness throughout the vessel
- Applying a wax coating to control drying and prevent cracking
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Woodworking can be dangerous. Employ good safety practices, exercise caution, and always be sure to wear proper eye and face protection. David J. Marks assumes NO LIABILITY for injury or accidents. Safety awareness is imperative to prevent personal injury. Educate yourself by learning and following the safety guidelines and usage procedures that are outlined in the operator manual of your tools.

[@DavidJMarks]

Do you want to see more project videos like this? Let me know!

[@jeffwimer3969]

Absolutely!

[@Acornhouseworkshop]

Definitely!

[@TimRobertsonWoodturning]

Yes Sir!

[@plakor6133]

Yes, please! Thank you very much.

[@tonymathesonxvs11001]

I have to say, "yes please". There is so much woodturning content on KZbin, to see a 'Grand Master Turner' showing his craft, style and knowledge is an extremely treasured experience for people like myself. You encapsulate safety, knowledge and experience together for those wishing to learn who may not have the finances to pay for on line demonstrations or DVD's that may still be available to learn from. Thank you so much for your time, patience and thoughtfulness in putting together these KZbin videos of yours, they are appreciated. Your hollow forms are truly an inspiration for me to start working on when I recuperate from my shattered ankle and finally after eighteen months get back in my workshop. I am particular interested in your patination techniques and would like to know if you have any DVD's available on the tuition of this style of art. Thanks again sir.

[@woodwhisperer]

It’s always a pleasure watching you work and learning from you, David! Please do more!

[@DavidJMarks]

@@woodwhisperer hey Marc old pal, thanks very much for your kind words of encouragement!!

[@RobbieBolog]

Reminds me of the day I discovered Richard Raffan’s KZbin channel. A true master. You’re on the same pedestal. Hope you can keep posting new content for us in the future generation. Nothing beats watching a master of the craft at work!

[@DavidJMarks]

@@RobbieBolog thank you so much, Robbie! I will try to live up to your expectations. Take care, my friend.

[@fromstudio11]

I have been fascinated by your work from your TV days on. Please continue. You sir are an artist.

[@DavidJMarks]

@@fromstudio11 thank you so much, my friend. I love what I do and I really enjoy sharing it.

[@KenanSchultz-qi8ft]

I definitely want to see the rest of this journey!

[@cedarbear1]

David, You are an incredible artist and craftsman. Your down to earth and patient descriptions of your step by step process is inspiring. Thank You!!

[@DavidJMarks]

Hey Walt,thank you very much! I really appreciate your thoughtful remarks!

[@PeanutsDadForever]

Wow!!! Thank you for another excellent video!

[@DavidJMarks]

@@PeanutsDadForever my pleasure, peanuts dad ha ha ha!

[@cpad007]

David! This is awesome! You're holding up pretty good there! Glad you are back with Woodworks and loving see new, current stuff!

[@DavidJMarks]

@@cpad007 thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@BBeingHere]

Great video, David. The way you stepped through the process and explained what you were doing was very helpful to me. Good production too.

[@DavidJMarks]

@@BBeingHere Thank you very much. I’m really glad to hear that. I’ll keep working on new videos. Cheers.

[@ZOEng99]

Been waiting Dude. Great to see you again......beautiful work, as always

[@blainerobinson5389]

Your pieces are amazing. Thanks so much for sharing. Please keep them coming.

[@DavidJMarks]

Thanks very much Blaine! I look forward to creating more new content.

[@ZOEng99]

You made my day when I got the notification. Please keep sharing your wealth of skill and sensibility

[@TimRobertsonWoodturning]

Thank you for the well-made video! It's great to see you creating content again. I appreciate the detailed process overview, which I think will be very helpful. Keep up the excellent work!

[@DavidJMarks]

@@TimRobertsonWoodturning hey Tim, knowing your experience with turning and Hollowing wood vessels, I’m very glad to hear that you like the video. Thanks again for your great comments.!!

[@gd5043]

I LOVE NEW CONTENT! thanks for doing this. I think your split hollow forms are my favorite design!

[@DavidJMarks]

Thanks very much Dale! I'll keep em coming!

[@stevebrisco9422]

David, As always, great instructions in your videos. Thank you for sharing your skills and knowledge.

[@DavidJMarks]

You are very welcome Steve,thank you for your kind comments!

[@harladon6229]

This is awesome! You continue to inspire and teach, please keep creating content!

[@DavidJMarks]

@@harladon6229 this is great to hear !you’re inspiring me to keep inspiring you, my friend!

[@thehappychiselllc]

Great to see new content. Hope you can keep it up!

[@benjamoskardi]

thanks for all you do! you have been inspiring me for decades.

[@DavidJMarks]

@@benjamoskardi hey Ben, that’s great to hear! You put a smile on my face reading your comments.

[@hbasejanitor]

Yes!!!!!

[@Acornhouseworkshop]

How frequently do you stop to blow out the shavings? And how long was the rough hollowing process?

[@DavidJMarks]

I keep my air hose next to my lathe and blow out the shavings frequently so that they don't get in the way of the cutters.

[@rickwhite3112]

David, When you lube up the outside end grain of the black acacia vessel, do you need to worry about the interior surfaces too or not? Seems there is moisture loss inside also that would affect shrinkage when drying.

[@DavidJMarks]

@@rickwhite3112 Hey Rick, as you saw,I only waxed the end grain top and bottom and I don't worry about the rest of it. It's been over 4 1/2 months and now it's dry with no cracks or splits. I have been weighing it every week and it stopped losing weight 2 months ago but I like to be certain so that is why I have waited this long.

[@kamenvelitchkov6533]

Mister, before to teach somebody else, educate yourself! You are missing so much. You work as a wood turner from the beginning of previous century.