Ugly Old and Rotten can it be saved? - spalted woodturning project

In this video, I'm turning a spalted birch log into something beautiful. Can this old and ugly wood be saved? Watch and find out!
If you're wondering if spalted wood can be saved, then watch this video and find out! This project is a great example of how to turn old and rotten wood into beautiful pieces of art. With a little bit of patience and a few tips from the instructor, you too can turn your unwanted wood into something truly beautiful!
Thanks for watching and feel free to leave comments in the chat below.
My Lathe: www.recordpower.co.uk/product...
Facebook: / mike-holton-hand-made-...
Instagram: mikeholton_...
Website: mikeholton.net/
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

[@robertarnold6290]

I appreciate how you make your videos. Speed past things and slow down the important parts. Thank you.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Robert, it's not to everyone's taste but I hope it is a pretty good balance 😀

[@125rin]

Agree

[@jonnyglucose72]

Spalted birch is one of my favorite woods to turn. I lost my Birch in an ice storm about 6 years ago. I dried the remains for five years. The results have been magnificent. The spalted wood was beautiful. My Birch tree lives on in dozens of turned bowls, platters and round boxes.

[@MikeHolton]

We all hate loosing trees but giving them another life is a great way for them to live on.

[@2CraftySeniors]

You set these big hunks of wood onto your bench and I look at it and wonder what you'll find hidden within. Every time it's something gorgeous. You definitely have a talent for getting the wood to let itself shine.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks! For a while I did not think I would find anything in this one 😀

[@ceciliarunnoe1463]

Spalting and ambrosia leave such distinctive patterns in the wood. Beautiful.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Cecilia 😀

[@peterthornton8520]

Great eye for a design. Never beyond saving.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Peter 😀😀

[@robbosma9303]

Gaawd!!! That is beeeeeautiful!! Glad you stuck it out an found the gorgeous vase hiding under all that rottenwood!!!! Stunning piece Mike!!! Also wanna mention i love how you explain your ideas, an your processes, as your working!! Very informative, which i love!!

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you enjoyed it Rob, for a while I thought all I'd get was an egg cup from this lol 🤣

[@robbosma9303]

@@MikeHolton 🤣🤣😂 right... that big log chunk an only getting a lil eggy cup!! Hahaha would have been sad, but damn funny!!

[@MikeHolton]

@@robbosma9303 🤣🤣

[@judymahan5588]

As a fairly new viewer I think this is one of my favs so far Your knowledge of your craft is astounding your fearless attitude when delving into uncharted waters is amazing but your ability to see the beauty beyond the “warts” is an incredible trait 👍

[@MikeHolton]

Wow! That is so nice of you to say Judy 😀

[@debflieder3378]

So glad that you persevered. I appreciate you explaining your decisions and adjusting your approach based on your expertise!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Bed, I feel that if I can explain my thought processes we can all learn together 😀

[@RevdUp.Art.Fotografer]

The spalting looks like an old world map. Very cool.

[@MikeHolton]

You're right it does, thanks for that, Mike 😃

[@JamesCouch777]

I love using rotten, cracked ugly pieces for turning. Usually they make the most beautiful interesting pieces. They are a lot of work and time consuming but almost always worth it.

[@MikeHolton]

Completely agree James, I had to dig deep in this one to find it but it was there😊

[@marybethhuson295]

A true gem beneath the rough!

[@taysider01]

Didn't expect that finish. Turned out really great, excellent

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Dave, this one was a bit of a challenge!

[@k9insomniac783]

How fitting. A wood resurrection right before the celebration of the Resurrection. Top shelf us usual my friend.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, never thought of that 😂

[@k9insomniac783]

@@MikeHolton I really like the new lathe you’ve been using. One day I’ll graduate to a big boy lathe myself. Lol. I really liked this video. I had just made a bowl out of some very old and somewhat punky shingle oak that turned out “ok”. I used epoxy and hoped it would reinvigorate the softer bits but it didn’t work as well as I’d hoped. I wish I had used some thin ca glue like you had. Your always teaching me something Mike. I hope you have a great Holiday with Mrs Mike and the pooches. Stay safe my friend.

[@MikeHolton]

@@k9insomniac783 Thanks , the lathe has made life so much easier, my last one was fine but it did have it's limitations. We are all learning all the time, I learn quite a lot from comments left and from other turners, it's like the circle of life. Have a great holiday and talk soon. Mike

[@larryburrough3024]

That vase or bowl is Awesome! I love the dark streaks with the blonde wood. Great work with a wonderful design.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much! 😃

[@justsome-guy7596]

OMG - now I really, really, REALLY want a lathe! That was one of the bet made YT turning videos I've ever seen - well done mate!

[@MikeHolton]

Wow thanks, getting a lathe was one of the best things I've ever done, sorry best present my wife has ever given me 😃

[@ceciliarunnoe1463]

The patterns created by the spalting on this is fascinating.

[@MikeHolton]

I know, this one is still in our living room 😃

[@jimyounie6274]

For something that did not look too great at the start I it turned out very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks for watching Jim, I'm also glad it worked out 😁

[@karenh789]

You never know what is waiting inside a hunk of wood. Very nicely done!😊

[@MikeHolton]

Yes! Thank you! 😃

[@bluedog28]

That really did turn into a great vase! It's unfortunate you had to take away so much wood to get to the workable part, but the pattern buried deep in the stump was worth it

[@MikeHolton]

I was so glad we finally got there, for a while all I thought I'd have was an egg cup 😁

[@brycegenevaostler9359]

Great work. Iam just starting to look in to wood turning. I'm did some in n high school 45 years ago. Now ready to start again. You helped me want to get started. Thanks.

[@MikeHolton]

Go for it! Your story sounds just like mine, I had not touched it since doing it at school finally taking it up again 36 years later.

[@racheldray1057]

I adore this! Such a beautiful vase, I love spalted wood, the patterns are amazing

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Rachel they really are 😀

[@dellearts]

Ah spalting is so lovely. It's such a shame that it's hard to tell if it's gone too far or not. Glad you were able to save what you did. It turned into an incredibly beautiful piece.

[@MikeHolton]

It really is! Although for a while I would have been happy to have found enough for an egg cup 😃

[@janetporter5376]

What is spalting please?

[@MikeHolton]

@@janetporter5376 Hi Janet, spalting is a fungus that gets into wood that has been left on the ground in damp conditions, it takes about 6 months to appear and lf left too long can make the wood unusable. It's not dangerous as it dies as soon as it is exposed to air, hope this helps

[@donaldadams5342]

This was the first video I watched of your work & I am so glad that you stuck with it. The final result is stunning. Cheers, Don from South Aust.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Don, for a while I thought I mat end up with an egg cup but we got there 😀

[@huberthicks9080]

Very nice, Mike. The salting was well worth saving. Thanks for sharing.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Hubert, the spalting looks so nice, glad I could save this one

[@user-jh7ji3lq3c]

Thank you for saving this beautiful bowl!

[@MikeHolton]

You're welcome Mary 😀

[@nickfritz8692]

Turned out amazing. Made a lot of saw dust with this one!🙂

[@MikeHolton]

Hahaha 🤣 yep, any smaller and it would have ended up an egg cup

[@damianlee8149]

Well done for persevering. There is beauty within all us ugly, old and rotten beings! 😂

[@MikeHolton]

Indeed Damian, I had to dig deep but it was there 😀

[@brucerowan6630]

Excellent job, my favorite kind of turning.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Bruce, I love doing these as well.

[@125rin]

This turned out much better than I imagined actually it's pretty cool . You have a great imagination that is why you are a talented artist my friend Your wife must be very proud of you ❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much and yes she is, although she is running out of places to put all the pieces I give her 😀

[@chanspirit1]

I will definitely rewatch your videos over the next couple months probably beyond that seeing as I do that a lot now lol even got my grandson to watch quite a few of them when they were visiting 😊 Good luck on your move, hope the move goes smoothly❤

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks so much 😃

[@mommyohs]

Mike, my daughter and I are so happy to have discovered your channel. Not many mom/daughters are interested in woodworking but we certainly ate and every time we watch one of your videos we always think it can’t be topped but, nope! you always deliver. Our favorite aspects of your work are that you explain everything so clearly and we eagerly look forward to whatever unique piece you are working on next. Thank you so much for sharing so many enjoyable projects!

[@MikeHolton]

Awesome! Thank you, that is so nice of you to say. I really appreciate you getting in touch and thanks to you both for your support 😃. All the best, Mike

[@baconsoda]

That was well worth persevering with... great job. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Brendan, glad I kept going, would have loved a bowl but that is the way it goes.

[@NCGreen]

Crazy how great this turned out

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Scott, I was not sure I would find anything in there, it was getting smaller and smaller lol

[@BarbaraShelton-xz9vn]

Another very unique and beautiful piece. Bravo!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much 😀

[@gluey27]

Lovely organic shape and the colours are amazing.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😊

[@janetporter5376]

I absolutely adore this vase! The grain of the wood, it's organic shape and the contrast in colour is so beautiful, it is a really lovely piece of art work! ❤ I am so pleased you persevered with it. Well done to you, Mike for your vision and commitment. .

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Janet, so glad when I found this. For a while I thought I would end up with an egg cup 😁

[@zacthompson2075]

If anyone could've done it, it's you. Looks great as always!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Zac 😄

[@LoisHubbard]

I avoided watching this video for ages... I saw the thumbnail and thought "hmmm, I'd prefer a bowl - especially that oddly satisfying way bowls emerge from the wood" but I was wrong. I think this is my favourite piece I have seen you make to date. Lesson learned - just watch all the videos you put out!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Lois, I'm just glad I found something in there 😄 all the best, Mike

[@vernonabernethy3970]

Great piece! Really appreciate the ongoing information you provide regarding each application of finishing products you apply to the wood.

[@MikeHolton]

You are so welcome Vernon 😀

[@cherylhaynes2552]

What a beautiful piece. You are a magician!

[@MikeHolton]

Wow, thank you Cheryl 😊

[@billrose2083]

Kinda how one makes a toothpick from a giant redwood !!🤣 Looks really good, Mike !! You know what?? It kinda looks like an ancient map of the world. You could engrave an arrow pointing in any direction and put an N next to it anywhere on the piece.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks Bill, that would actually look cool! Thanks, Mike 😃

[@JOHNSmith-pn6fj]

Beautiful Piece. Fantastic Colors in the wood.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much John, the colour in the spalting is amazing.

[@lindagoldberg2325]

Glad you did persevere. The pattern looks like jasper. Funny how nature’s patterns repeat.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Linda, you are quite right about the pattern 😃

[@nicholasguymer3471]

True Grit, it's the future 👍

[@MikeHolton]

It could be! It is working very well so far!

[@noelgreen9381]

Great work on this. Like you, I was thinking it might be a lost cause. Turned out beautifully!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers, a little smaller than I expected 😜

[@ivanbukh7576]

Замечательная ваза получилась! Мне кажется, что чем уродливее дерево, тем интереснее получается конечное изделие.

[@MikeHolton]

Спасибо! и я думаю, что вы правы

[@ivanbukh7576]

@@MikeHolton Я проверял это на людях на своих изделиях. Обычные изделия не выдерживают сравнения с творениями жуков, гнили и недостатками дерева!

[@MikeHolton]

@@ivanbukh7576 Могу себе представить, несовершенства придают характер и делают их уникальными.

[@Tirani2]

That strikes me as the kind of project that, with a pressure pot and clear or clear shimmering resin you could create something gorgeous while stabilizing the soft wood.

[@MikeHolton]

You could but I neither have a pressure pot or a vacuum chamber 😀

[@LOTGiscool]

What a great way to bring this Sunday to a close, Feb. 4, 2024. The patterns in this vase are incredible.

[@MikeHolton]

It's Monday here and I'm up doing some editing before I have to go to work. 😃 sleep well

[@JamesCouch777]

That turned out absolutely amazing!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks James 😊

[@suesmith9202]

That's absolutely gorgeous.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Sue 😃

[@timponder7487]

You save it Mike great work 👏 👍 👌

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Tim 😁

[@gluey27]

Beautiful piece of wood Mike at first look I thought wtf but it turned out stunning as usual.

[@MikeHolton]

haha thanks 😀

[@leaannd.8786]

As always, it’s gorgeous!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! 😊

[@philgallagher1]

What a good job you kept going with this one! It turned out to be a beautiful bowl! As a recent subscriber I'm having a great time working my way slowly through your back catalogue!! Keep up the good work!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Phil, I really appreciate your support, all the best, Mike

[@Happypistachio]

Love the spalting! Good work!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Aaron 😃

[@fionacrouch1732]

Love the pattern that is showing, stunning. Mother nature creates some true beauties for us to uncover. Well done on the great piece Mike, and thanks for sharing 🙂

[@MikeHolton]

You're welcome as ever Fiona 😊

[@chumleyk]

Love this. Spalted wood is my fav.

[@MikeHolton]

Me too, as long as it's not too far gone, this one was close

[@lornacy]

I always appreciate your journey 😊

[@MikeHolton]

I appreciate that, all the best, Mike 😀

[@eviljods]

Lovely piece, great job :)

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much! 🙂

[@87bwadman]

Ha 😂, I was watching it go from a log, to proto-bowl, to maybe vase, to single chop stick in the hunt for good wood. Well done finding something beautiful in there.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks, personally I was betting on an egg cup 😀

[@jeneiferthomas1036]

You did a great job on this piece

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Jeneifer 😁

[@debroberts1296]

Love the way you left the rim of the vase "rustic contrast". Turned out nicely.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you Deb 😊

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Stunning. Well done.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers Doug 🙂

[@gentlebear2722]

That turned out beautiful

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks! 😀

[@darrenoneil2455]

Very nice save. Good, you pushed on. D

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 👍

[@fionanaylor6104]

What a gem 😃 great video, TY.

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you like it Fiona 😊 thanks

[@stephanielovatt2787]

This is a lovely vase! The spalting is so attractive! I did a spalted silver birch bowl, and it fell in half, because it was too far gone. I have kept it, though, as I think resin would/could work on it.

[@MikeHolton]

That's a good idea Stephanie, this was so close to being to far gone lol 😆

[@dalebrittenham1823]

Great save... Turned out amazing....

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Dale 😀

[@lyndaowen2154]

Very nice vase. You’re right that wood is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much, Lynda and thanks for watching 😀

[@stevezinger8635]

Love this.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Steve 😁

[@davel623]

Beautiful!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you Dave 🙂

[@jbjeep8324]

absolutely lovely piece

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks! 😀

[@jimswift7228]

Lovely piece Mike. Well worth persevering. Nice to see someone actually using the rotating headstock, I was beginning to think I was the only one who thinks it is a good idea and as you say it is much easier to see what you are doing. Also if you stand in front of the bowl opening it is much less likely to hit you if it comes off the lathe. Great video, thanks, Jim

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks Jim, you are so right. It's easier to see what you are doing and a lot safer as well. You just have to make sure you align it back properly when you're done. I have a little alignment bar I use.

[@user-cg7vl9se6h]

Beautiful

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you 😀

[@Jerepasaurus]

If you ever have a similar piece, rotting and cracked, but has a lot of spalting like this, I want to suggest filling the gaps with black epoxy, turning it into a sphere, then setting it up on a little stand exactly like it's a globe, that you can spin. The bold natural patterns just remind me so much of an ancient world map, yellowed with age but still boldly inked. And in the case of the natural patterns, they'd look like unique continents on an unknown fantasy world. ♥ If I could ever get a piece, it would be like this idea.

[@MikeHolton]

Sounds like a great idea! Thanks 👍

[@Jerepasaurus]

@@MikeHolton You're very welcome!

[@fionacrouch1732]

@Jerepasauras, that is exactly what I wanted to comment! Reminds me of the maps of ancient worlds that you see in books.

[@908woodturner]

Perseverance!!!!! Great job

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Beverly, just glad there was something left at the end.

[@NorthWoodsRCFlyClub]

Looks great

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks!

[@wombatspatulafreek]

awesome!!!!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😀

[@loopinnerthe]

Its like a map of a new world.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha yes it does have that look to it 😃

[@danamorrow5352]

At the beginning I thought you were going to make a bowl and was wondering how you would manage it. I loved watching it evolve into the vase. What a beautiful vase it is. Great job!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Dana, glad I got something from it, the colours are amazing!

[@LewisSkeeter]

Nice.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers Lewis 🙂

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Looks good.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Brad 😁

[@jeffwilber8598]

Splaying is beautiful !

[@jeffwilber8598]

spalting

[@MikeHolton]

I know, just glad I found some hard enough to be able to finish 😃

[@MarkThompson-ms5wn]

great job

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Mark 😁

[@Bahaman1]

It’s beautiful

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😃

[@sandracook455]

Another amazing piece😊

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much 😀

[@lv_woodturner3899]

I love the completed vase. Very well done as usual. Glad you did continue. Sometimes the wood can be too punky. This was close. When you said "I did not intend to turn a vase", in my head I was thinking that if Mother Nature had a voice, she would have replied "I never intended for this tree to become a turning". I have a cherry bowl in my stash of failed projects which had normal grain in most of the bowl, but very soft end grain in one part of the bowl. The softer parts ended up sanding more than the rest resulting in a flat spot and lots of bump-bump-bump when sanding. Just an example that even without spalting, Mother Nature can often get the upper hand. Dave.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Dave, I was turning a bit cherry plumb which was just like that, beautiful wood that had one soft spot that seemed to go all the way through. You were right, this was close to not being worth turning, glad it was saved All the best Mike

[@AndyFisher1965]

Nice piece in the end.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mpham321]

Great looking vase! Gives me a reason to go outside and grab the few pieces of rotten birch I have out there and give it a try!

[@MikeHolton]

Go for it! Let me know how you get on. Mike

[@silvanobroccardo933]

Beautiful complimenti

[@MikeHolton]

grazie mille 😃

[@jsprankel4712]

Beautiful work, as usual Mike!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks my friend 😁

[@martharoberts8533]

❤ beautiful piece of wood, so glad you persevered and finished it...❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you Martha, it was a close call but we got there in the end 😀

[@WoodWizardrybyColin]

Stunning piece Mike I love the spalting

[@MikeHolton]

Cheers Colin, it's not too bad is it 😂

[@shaunofthegeeks]

Great work on this Mike. Was starting to think it would be abandoned half way through. You did well on this recovery. Another great video. Thanks

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😊, I was looking at it getting smaller and smaller wondering if it would stop in time to make something lol 😆

[@kevincampbell1112]

Another lovely piece, Mike. As you know I'm always gonna tell ya how I would have done it differently 😊. Resin with a little purple dye to stabilize and offset the yellowing.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks Kevin, I need you stood next to me in the shop 😊

[@kevincampbell1112]

@@MikeHolton wish I could Brother. I'd kill for a trip over the big pond!

[@Ted_P]

Wow! I’m glad you stuck with it. Beautiful piece! I love the gold finish from the beeswax and linseed oil finish.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers Ted, so glad I managed to save this one.

[@jimpike3489]

WOW, that grain is stunning, you have to love spalted wood. The live edge on the vase? really goes well with the finished vase. Thanks for sharing Mike

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers Jim, the spalting was beautiful, did not expect it to be so strong!

[@davidw.9432]

Really great piece of work Mike just goes to show you should always persevere keep up the great work 👍

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you, I will do my best David. 🙂

[@petercole8096]

Beautiful vase. I especially like the finish you've used. It's really brings out the contrasting colors.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Peter 😀

[@HaneulsSpace_WoodStory]

I also had a lot of difficulties while working on a wooden lathe, so I had a headache. Thank you for your kind and detailed explanation! I am learning a lot. and so beautiful 👍👍

[@MikeHolton]

You're very welcome, so glad you find my videos useful 😌