Wood Turning: Red Palm Bowl

[@ramwoods]

Really like the look of the red palm. Have used it several times and it has a great finished look. Nice job.

[@PiedraDesigns]

Thank you!

[@Adventureswithamy18]

It is a very pretty bowl. Even with a crack in it! ☺️

[@PiedraDesigns]

Thanks!

[@tessahanna9170]

Beautiful!!

[@PiedraDesigns]

Thanks, my love!

[@WoodenItBeNice]

That is a brilliant piece of turning Wes. Red Palm is not a wood it is a Grass, the same as Black Palm. I have made a few pens from Black palm and they are a pain to turn. Brilliant my friend. Take care Wes. Cheers, Huw

[@PiedraDesigns]

Thank you, Huw. You are correct that the palms are really a grass, not wood. Thanks for the reminder; I had forgot that. I was surprised how easy this turned, as I expected a lot more tear-out. Sharp tools!

[@TheMessyStudio]

That is very pretty, Wesley! My first experience with palm was a disaster. I tried turning a pen from it and the matrix holding the "rods" is so soft that sanding it left a very uneven surface. So I only turned it if it was stabilized after that. Like Doug said, this blank appeared to be stabilized. Nicely done.

[@PiedraDesigns]

Thank you! Yes, this piece did have a little unevenness due to the harder "rods", which primarily showed up on the bottom rim, but a little elsewhere. Not a stabilized blank. Thanks for watching and commenting, I appreciate it.

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Very nice little bowl. From what I saw and how you describe it, I’m pretty sure this blank had been stabilized. Palm sure does make for a spectacular piece, but really is a pain if not stabilized. Well done!

[@PiedraDesigns]

Thanks, Doug! I don't think it was stabilized. The vender I got it from processes his own stock, and goes the extra mile (especially with exotic woods) to make sure they are dry, dried properly for the species, and legal (if listed on CITES). He usually doesn't stabilize anything, but if he does, it is clearly marked. If you are referring to the slight sheen on the blank before turning, he usually sprays some, if not all, of a piece with lacquer to give an idea of what finished wood will look like. Thanks for watching.

[@OrganizeCreateDecorate]

That's interesting that it smells like dirt. I bet it sucks the moisture right out of your hands. Sorry about the crack. It's still beautiful. I'm happy it didn't break off and hit you.

[@PiedraDesigns]

Thank you!