This Wood Is Invasive and Seemed Unusable so I Decided To Turn a Bowl From It

Sometimes you just have to let yourself be creative and see what happens and that is exactly what I did when I attempted to turn this badly cracked Bradford pear wood that I was not sure was even usable. This piece of wood has been sitting for months now and after never deciding exactly what I wanted to make from it, I figured it was time to just bust out the chainsaw and just see what happens and I am glad I did...
My good friend Nathan's Channel mentioned | Hobgood Homestead Farm
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[@BrailsfordWoodworks]

I love turning Bradford Pear. It cuts well and finishes like glass. Awesome work!

[@tonyturnswood]

I love the time you take to tell your story, share your process and bring us along for the experience! I learn as much about story telling and editing as I do woodworking following you Andrew! Keep it up!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you for that Tony! It makes me feel good to read that as I have always wanted my videos to sort of have a storytelling aspect to them. And were definitely learning those things together!

[@jimneely4527]

That's a beautiful bowl that you rescued out of what most people would consider a hunk of firewood. I'm glad you persevered and shared the experience with us.

[@WoodworkingTop535]

Everything in the house is beautiful, millions of likes

[@pathardage1880]

Lovely work. Thank you. And thank you for your relaxed manner.

[@jamesbrasseaux133]

Nice work. I love me some Bradford.

[@paulhedman7387]

That's a mighty impressive bowl. Well done.

[@valsummers5330]

Magnificent What an incredible transformation! But I figure you had a pretty good idea how it would roughly go Me coming in blind as I am. Truly impressed

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Gorgeous bowl. I was as worried about it coming apart as you were. Really happy it stayed together though.

[@andrewmccarn]

You and me both! For a moment I think it would be ok and then when id cut away a little more it would seem like it could come off any minute and then cut away alitle more again and then it seemed fine! I was up & down with the stress on this one until I finished the inside and saw it was actually very stable! lol

[@sharpshooter470]

Andrew, Thanks for sharing your work on the Bradford Pear bowl. Awesome final outcome!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you for the kind words & watching!

[@jonnyglucose72]

Enjoyed the video, and, yes it was worth turning this piece. I recently turned a Sitka Cypress bowl that had cracks, inclusions and, frankly, I thought would be unsalvageable. Turned out beautiful with lots of character. Regarding your friend’s gift of chisels - a very kind gift! And it looks like you keep them sharp - that’s the whole ball game, sharp tools. Love your work!

[@andrewmccarn]

I agree, very glad I didnt give up on this one! And I bet that was a beautiful bowl. Cypress was one of the very first woods I turned and loved it. I ended up building multiple pieces of outdoor furniture with cypress because of falling in love with it when turning. Thank you for the comment!

[@maxkangen]

OMG My lathe will only allow 13 inch diameter, I absolutely love this wonderful bowl, I am a sit down wood turner as my back and legs are not much good anymore. I mainly turn smaller items nowadays.

[@juliacamp6790]

That is so pretty! I love all the giant bowls you make!

[@guyvangenechten6484]

Very nice job looking very good!!!👌👍💯

[@jarmstrong2843]

The Grizzly Adams of wood turning! Ya look like a real nice fellow who tells a nice story about your wood turning. Will have to visit your channel much more often.

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that & I hope you do!

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

Very nice. a brave soul to turn with unknown crack depth.

[@Audie1234]

The phrase is...'I'm not out of the....woods yet.' Beautiful big bowl ❤

[@brigitte8381]

Really made me giggle that the word he was searching for was "wood"!

[@nobodysbusiness8791]

Nice job, Andrew. Those odd-shaped logs always make the prettiest bowls. It has character.

[@joeehrlich2898]

You were not nervous because we were for you! Andrew! That was awesomeness! Personally, I would have been straight to the resin and not risked the blow up, but you had a better presumption of the depth of the cracks and to just give up on a nice piece of Pear that size would have been pretty sad. You certainly made art out of a very difficult piece of wood! Beautiful! I cherish gifts frome friends and family, and as long as they are functional thats all that matters! Thank you for another great video Sir!! I look forward to the next one!!

[@andrewmccarn]

As always Joe, I really appreciate your comments! Comments like this are why I continue to do KZbin so thank you!

[@henniebasson515]

Good work! What I would consider is blackening (is that the right word?) the edge where the bark came off. I simply use a gas burner, sand it slightly and put on the oil. But - to each his own. Greetings from South Africa.

[@rayworstine4399]

Good evening, Andrew. Very nice project. It was enjoyable watching you work through this process and completing this amazing live edge bowl.

[@patricktongs9766]

Turned out great well done mate I like your attitude.👍

[@donaldtemple8090]

Love the bowl. It was well worth the stress. I am glad you did not fill the voids. Looks so much better natural. Enjoyed video. What oil used for finish.

[@louisjcharlett5804]

.....love the bowl. Problem solving is one of the best parts of woodworking. Enjoyable video & thanks.

[@mashmade-airth]

Out of the woods is what you were looking to say my friend. 1rst time to your channel. I'm a learner / learning turner. I'll be back for sure. I've subbed up to you. Beautiful bowl, well worth the effort. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@germcrazyshokoff3623]

So many good woodworking channels like this guy and Burnstock need more subscribers! Everybody’s still watching the same old D-Bags who do nothing but try to sell you stuff without building anything interesting, if at all. You know who I’m talking about.

[@garyjohnson9297]

There are other wood stabilizers better than CA glue . Some basic safety tips I want to share , wear a sawers safety helmet with screen and ear protectors when using chain saw, and always wear eye protection when using portable and stationary power tools . My shop instructor, 50 years ago , told us that with metal fragments embedded in your eye , the ER Dr uses a magnet to remove them , but wood chips , they have to use a scalpel . Next, remove your watch and put it in your pocket. Rings too . With your thick beard , both a half mask and full face respirators do not seal effectively, so you are still breathing dust . Invest in a good power filter system like a Trend Air Pro , Axminster , or a 3-M system . A dust extraction system is a good investment for your whole shop too . You have good turning skills , and the bowl is great

[@schechnera]

Beautiful bowl!

[@markparker5788]

Stunning work Andrew! I remember the first time I turned something "huge". It was probably 14" in diameter. I watch you turning the massive pieces of timber and admire your talent and moxie. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@williammaxwell1919]

Beautiful bowl.

[@patriciamay638]

Lovely.

[@brianknowles7130]

Looks good to me. Nice looking dog as well. thks from UK

[@brendadriver2702]

Definitely worth it! It’s beautiful! Thanks Andrew!

[@georgeblankenship3283]

Very nice bowl! I love turning the bradford pear as it turns great and makes some beautiful objects. I have a large natural edge bowl I made from a piece that came from a couple in my church that we had to load with his bobcat!Look forward to more of your videos

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you & its an awesome wood to turn! When you need a bobcat to load then you know its a big one! I bet that was a great experience getting to turn it. So far, this is the largest piece I have come across myself.

[@susanburrows5288]

Not that I am a turner, but I don't think I would have the guts to turn that cut as is, I would have cut it down to be safer. Glad you gave it a try, it came out beautifully! I think the bark voids in the side and bottom enhance the look.

[@PaulTreefella]

The saying is, " You're not out of the woods ! "

[@VickiAndersonwoodturning]

Definitely worth it. Love those natural openings from cracks. I am just not brave enough to try them, but someday.

[@davidfoss9174]

Great video!

[@duaneheadworth6275]

Rockin'

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks!

[@iamwad2216]

Love the bowl! Bradford Pear is one of my favorite species to turn. It's hard to find one that big though.

[@leighw9684]

Just rediscovered your channel. I really like your turnings, you have a sweet personality, and your camerawork is lovely!

[@royunderwood7514]

Beautiful work! Your channel is really making me want to change out my little 12/20 lathe for something like yours so I can learn to turn larger pieces. Really great editing also. Your videos definitely tell a story.

[@andrewmccarn]

Turning larger pieces is a whole different experience! Even with the lathe I have now, I would love for something bigger myself haha I appreciate the kind words!

[@davidsandford8343]

Great job! love your work and presentation. Subscribed

[@johnnyho900]

I like the no plan, plan! Not out of the ‘woods’ yet. Definitely worth the time turning, thanks for sharing!

[@andrewmccarn]

Sometimes its fun just to see what happens & how did I not remember that?? Being a woodworker you would think I could remember that saying! lol

[@karenmaverick8476]

Love all ur work & presentation Andrew ❤ l thought that big crack wasn't going to hold, but she turned out beautifully 😊

[@andrewmccarn]

You & me both but I am glad it did! & thank you for the kind comment!!

[@jkurbanski6475]

Wow Andrew that was a great save of a narghly chunk of wood. Glad you were able to find the Beauty within the wood.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! To think I about just cut it firewood but figured I would atleast give it a shot!

[@annlaurie1484]

Wow, the bowls get bigger and bigger. Glad you went ahead with it, well worth the worry. 😊

[@andrewmccarn]

I'll say I definitely didnt plan on this one being as big as it was! I fully planned on it being alot smaller and then when I never moved the bowl off the extension I realized the small bowl wasnt happening. lol

[@nataliecrowe]

Very good video Andrew. The format is well done as is the editing. Keep it up and you will be successful.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@bobostrowski8832]

Awesome, and great job! I would love to turn a bowl that big. Unfortunately my VS1221 only allows 12". Some day!

[@chromeelder3479]

That looks like a scary piece to turn, especially that large, but it turned out beautiful. Thanks for sharing the process.

[@dang6832]

Dude is packing some heavy wood.😂😂 Looks really good. Kinda reminds me of a huge walnut.

[@davidmiles9342]

Beautiful bowl. Thanks for taking on the challenge.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you for the comment!!

[@clydeschuyler]

“Out of the woods yet” looking good man!

[@andrewmccarn]

I still cant understand how being a woodworker, I forgot that! lol

[@johnwoods9995]

Of course it’s worth the effort, rustic bowls with holes are fine for fruit etc, and look very natural

[@gregjohnson8486]

Great job!! I was a little skeptical when you started, seeing how deep those large cracks went. But you were patient and pulled it off. The end result is stunning. Thanks for sharing 👍🏾

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that & trust me, I was pretty skeptical myself! lol Thank you for watching!

[@IDGAF-FU2]

Couldn't think of "woods" while touching a tree. 😂

[@SteveandSusiesHomestead]

Beautiful bowl and awesome camera work . Subbed

[@jasonmickley4835]

I have a love hate relationship with Bradford pear. A lot of people think it is a soft wood because it always breaks during storms but it's actually pretty hard. It's deep orange color is absolutely beautiful. The good thing about living in Oklahoma is there is no shortage of it during storm season!

[@Ack5100]

I feel like it turns like butter

[@loranwfry-zu9pu]

Yesterday, I launched a 40 - to 50-pound chunk of Red Maple across my shop. No harm done, but I needed clean britches. It turned out to be a nice live edge fruit bowl, but it was exciting for a moment. I also got two cores out of it with my Oneway corer. I'm glad yours held together. I like the way you are presenting your work. I'm not a huge fan of the music, but I will survive.

[@valsummers5330]

I think the phrase you were searching for was Out of the weeds

[@markeverson1999]

Great job. It was a good turn. I’ve wanted to turn Bradford pear but don’t have it around here.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! There are a ton here in NC, they currently have a bounty out for them lol But even with so many, I only turned my first piece of it just around two years ago.

[@chrisvos2721]

If you have punky wood use Minwax Wood Hardner. Works wonders for me.

[@gregdownunderinOz]

Interesting, my thoughts are you were lucky the bowl stayed together. I’m more of a purist and like bowls without holes voids and open cracks. I fill with epoxy before starting. Sometimes I leave bark on in cracks and have never had a problem with epoxy not holding the bark in place and cracks opening again. The coloured epoxy really looks good on bowls. Red and blues tend to work best and sell well. With that all said quite a nice job. Did you use ca glue on bowl, it would have been handy to see you do that. I find ca glue too expensive to put too much on a bowl. Small cracks I fill with coffee grounds and thin ca, which leaves a really nice appearance.

[@lyndaowen2154]

looks good to me

[@mymusic1509]

Well worth the effort Andrew. I am very inspired by your work, and hope to produce something very similar in the near future. Again, great video. P.S. Ever thought of just running some tape on the exterior when roughing the inside for safety?

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! And not tape but I do have packing wrap that I will use if I feel something is a little too fragile. I like using it because it tends to be cheaper and sometimes can be reused.

[@woodywoodturning]

Bob rose a legendary.....

[@chuckwatts841]

Art bowls don't need to hold water ... or apples or orange ... Plain wood with a min of ca or epoxy is great.

[@user-um8tq1tz7m]

Take some black resin white and teal fill in those gaps then polish it will sell for at least one thousand dollars

[@chrissimmoms1550]

No dressing on that salad in the bowl. Would have been interested to have seen the CA coating to the inside. Amazing it held together really. Looks good.

[@andrewmccarn]

The bowls got a built in strainer! lol & do you mean how I did the CA glue or the final result? And thank you!

[@chrissimmoms1550]

Indeed. It was the internal CA coating you mentioned that peaked my interest as how you do it and particularly why. I always had a thought that you lived somewhere quite rural in a glade surrounded by farmland, quite surprised to see how close your neighbours are.

[@user-pi2he9tb3i]

@Edg85 beautiful bowl, keep up the great work, but your logs are tooo heavy for me and my midsized lathe.

[@charlesnichols1215]

Great turning adventure and natural/live edge choice. If I didn't learn something or get reminded of a better technique from each bowl, then I'm not becoming a better turner. What chuck and jaw size did you mount the tenon in, and are you happy with it?

[@andrewmccarn]

I always say when I stop learning then I need to stop doing. No matter how good I am, I hope to always keep learning more! And I just upgraded my chuck to the Oneway Stronghold chuck so that is what I am currently using and right now I have been going back and forth between the #3 & #4 profiled jaws. I used the #3 on this one. So far I love it!

[@THall-vi8cp]

I hate Bradford pear trees. They are all over my neighborhood and every year their fire blight spreads to my orchard.

[@jonathanradmacher8196]

Which drive belt are you using on your lathe?

[@matthewwright57]

You can skip the faceplate and grinder, just turn it between centers and put a recess into the top of the bowl.

[@andrewmccarn]

Funny enough, thats how I usually mount natural edge bowls but my brain was slipping this day & that didnt even cross my mind lol

[@matthewwright57]

@@andrewmccarn I also like doing it that way because then I can adjust the wings of the bowl and pick the shape better, once a faceplate is on, the plane of the bowl is mostly decided.

[@willielutka6662]

What was the finished dimensions of that awesome bowl

[@18-tube-wattamp64]

How is the new chuck working out? Do you anticipate replacing the jaws with a larger size?

[@andrewmccarn]

Loving it! And right now Im pretty happy with the ones I have. The profiled #3 & #4 have kept up with everything Ive put on it. Im glad I went with the profiled jaws

[@northernhumidor5615]

Nicely done. Are those narex richter chisels? If so nothing wrong with them.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks! & they are Ezarc

[@truracer20]

@@andrewmccarn they are probably ok budget chisels, the only downside I see with them is they're metric sizes, this becomes an issue in hand tool woodworking when they don't match up with other tools such as tongue and groove planes and plough planes, or mixing power and hand tools.But this can be overcome with a little extra work and planning, and it isn't a daily issue. My favorite SAE chisels have been discontinued, the tool brand went out of business and because it was the only retailer of the SAE sizes so the German manufacturer quit making them. RIP Traditional Woodworker... That shop was a great source for traditional woodworking tools. Good luck in your traditional woodworking journey! It is a fun hobby. As a carpenter I naturally gravitated to it. My suggestion is to get some tools together such as hand planes, hand saws, brace and bits and some stout chisel sizes and practice with them, tune them up, then research work benches and then build your bench. Christopher Schwarz has an excellent book Workbenches from Design & Theory to Construction & Use. The old PBS show the Woodwrights Shop is a good start for learning and had a few episodes on Workbenches as well as tool chests which are other good learning projects. Paul Sellers here on KZbin is an excellent source of knowledge on the subject of hand tool woodworking and has a couple of series on utilitarian style Workbenches. A good workbench is vital for making the work easier. And a workbench can be purely utilitarian or it can be a showpiece. Keep in mind that while there are upmarket high quality tool brands, sometimes a Chevrolet is all you need.

[@elfmaster38]

Beautiful...was that an ugly mug from OBX?

[@andrewmccarn]

This one was from a craft show a few years ago but maybe the artist was from around there!

[@mlaiuppa]

Why is this tree invasive?

[@user-pi2he9tb3i]

@edg85