Woodturning a Black Walnut Log into a Bowl

Woodturning a bowl from a log. While turning, I uncovered a small metallic object embedded in the wood. It is very soft and shiny, silver colored.

[@flyaccelerated]

Semper Fi Devil

[@RHumphrey]

Semper Fidelis!

[@tysindavis939]

R Humphrey everyone's a rifleman

[@RHumphrey]

Tysin Davis Every Marine is indeed! Semper Fi

[@PeteCabs]

flyaccelerated b

[@mirianpaz9030]

flyaccelerated i

[@mrhockett1]

I used to run a scrag saw in a cedar mill. The scariest hit was an old knife blade embedded in the top of an old tree. Man did that blade make some noise! LOL Great job! That bowl looks beautiful! Love it that you left the bullet in for a little character.

[@RHumphrey]

Wow, I know that must have been a scary moment! The odd things we find in wood... Thank you!

[@jerrieyum]

I really love how this project turned out it’s beautiful. I honestly feel like you could’ve made two bowls with the material you had.

[@williamk9881]

Beautiful. Black Walnut is my favorite type of wood.

[@stevedingman474]

Blk walnut is by far my most favorite wood to look at !

[@RHumphrey]

It is beautiful wood, thanks for watching!

[@Brian-xx3bx]

Love the look of black walnut. Nice work.

[@happydragonwood4149]

Surprise!! Pesty bullets always ending up where they don't belong. A beautiful bowl and the bullet hole makes for a great conversation piece. Semper Fi!

[@daviddonaghy6494]

Happy Dragon Wood The turned posts that I made for my bed turned out to have a bullet in one of them. Somebody asked me if I was in the bed when it was shot.

[@jarmstrong2843]

I must have missed this video while doing my past R Humphrey marathons watching you turn wood. Glad I found it! Great walnut bowl. I like it!!! Semper Fi

[@briscoedarling3237]

Great decision to leave the bullet in place! Love your Bullet Bowl!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you! I'm still amazed it turned up where it did without any planning or prior knowledge it was there. It goes diagonally through the bowl wall so it is there to stay :)

[@terrigaskey1453]

A beautiful piece. Walnut is always pretty.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you! I think so too.

[@bosal2559]

Terri Gaskey Thank you very much Nice Good

[@Denise6390]

“It was priced way too high so I went home and made one.” That’s awesome!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much! 😁

[@jameswalker4028]

I don't know what is more beautiful. The finished product or the skills you possess. Thank you for sharing both.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much for such high praise, ...I have so much yet to learn!

[@DrWoodyII]

R Humphrey: You make it look easy, what a great talent to have. Thank you for sharing.

[@shekathearl1731]

OMG, I have been watching these all day! I especially like how you showed it back into the original block. Sure wish I could do this. Thank you for giving me the pleasure of enjoying watching the beauty in the wood!

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much, I'm happy you enjoy my projects 🙂

[@thefish5861]

You could do it. You just need to be prepared to spend some serious coin on equipment! I should know.

[@billthomas6296]

@@thefish5861 isn't that the truth. I have recently gotten into wood turning and back into wood working in general and yes indeed have definitely thrown some cash into it. But it is sure worth it. Very enjoyable and peaceful.

[@coswood3454]

Wow,beautiful Art,thanks for sharing, Cheers 🤗😊

[@Madmun357]

See, this is why I go to KZbin. That round cutting jig is crazy simple but I've never seen it before! I love it. Semper Fi Marine.

[@RHumphrey]

Tune in tomorrow, I'll be talking in some detail about that jig. Semper Fi!

[@barrylitchfield250]

It's probably not that uncommon that a bullet was in the tree. What's amazing is that the bullet ended up in the perfect place to become embedded in the side of your bowl. It could have easily been cut away with the outside part you trimmed off with the bandsaw. Or it could have been part of the inside of the bowl that was turned into dust with your turning chisel. An unusual set of happenings! Great job on the bowl.

[@RHumphrey]

Truly! It was in the perfect location, very unusual! Thank you!

[@sierralisse8897]

Love the final shot of the bowl from where it came from :D And love the bowl, of course.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@beverlym5465]

The bowl is beautiful! Love the bullet. hahaha ❤

[@KBKevlar]

Love the final posed shots within the circle of waste stock!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you! Kind of the whole video in a couple photos :)

[@johnnyd5826]

Just started seeing these videos on KZbin and I'm really fascinated by the art that's created out of pieces of wood that's really amazing great job.. I would like to try this one day

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Thank you so much for the real time footage. So many videos out there and most of them are high speed videography. Now I know why my turning is so rough, I am moving the tools too quickly. Also, first time I've seen a video with the head turned off to the side for small bowl work. I was wondrring why my lathe had that feature, I've only seen complete 180 head placement before on videos. Thanks again. Oh yeah, SUBd.

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks For watching and for the sub! Much appreciated! So true. I edited out and sped up hours of work to make a 15 minute video. It's mostly slow, gentle, and deliberate movements. I love the pivoting head stock, it really improves the access angle to the interior. Just make sure you're working with a balanced piece before you angle it out, or the lathe could become unstable and/or the piece could go flying off the mount. Thanks again!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Thanks for the tips. I'll try to remember them when I get the chance to get back out in my shop. I am currently in college as a middle aged disabled stroke survivor and spend a grand total of around 120-145 hours per week (out of the 168 hours we all get in a week) on school work, classes, and studies and spend several nights at my desk getting no sleep sometimes three nights in a row. I would love to take it slower, but have to be full time for the financial aid to pay most of it. When I get any time to relax it is usually in bed trying to catch up. Maybe around Christmas break I can get a little time out there. I have three education courses for a total of an estimated 800 pages of written work this semester along with Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra. My stroke left me with crappy memory skills and difficulty reading, both bad for a college student. I am maintaining a 3.9 GPA out of a possible 4.0, but going into education a high GPA will make me more attractive to potential Principals and school boards. Veteran status and disabled should give me and affirmative-action trifecta with being a man in a female dominated field. Of course appearing Caucasian will be a negative hit to A-A goals, but I am multi-racial, so another plus? I have to slave like a dog right now to balance my disability for an attractive GPA. Thanks again for the "normal" live speed footage. I'll be checking out videos when I get the chance during study breaks (usually one video here and there) totaling five to six videos per day including the one I watch when waiting for classes to start, sort of clearing my brain of the stress to concentrate on the class content. Brain damage due to stroke, PTSD, and ADH-OS (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity - OOOOO Shiney) is a hard triple hit for a college student at my age. Also, I tend to ramble/waffle-on, then have to cut back my writing for assignment maximums.

[@joergwalter4193]

Walnut wood for fireplaces? That breaks my heart, well done to save it. Beautiful piece of work.

[@RHumphrey]

It does seem a shame, doesn't it? Black Walnut trees are very common here though, and it isn't unusual to see a pile of fresh cut beautiful wood in a yard or by the road. I'm always looking :)

[@joergwalter4193]

R Humphrey I wished such beautiful wood would lie around in Germany as well. :-(

[@NillWill]

Not sure one should really be around it when it’s burning... toxic and all!

[@tpeck111]

Black walnut is amazing wood. I don't believe there is anything better looking as far as woods go.

[@RHumphrey]

Little bit more black walnut coming soon ....🙂

[@julierobertson9397]

Walnut is so beautiful but so HARD. The bowl is a true objet de'art. (Extra recognition for the labor required to make it.)

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@imopman]

That takes skill and practice , wonderful creation !

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@CarolWS004]

I have a LOT of videos to catch up on. I watched the Marine Bowl you dis last night when my husband got home from work again. He absolutely loved it. Once a Marine Always a Marine!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much! You said it! Semper Fi!!

[@raymondswarmer1433]

I always say, " you can take the man out of the military, but you cannot take the military out of the man".

[@hudsenhammond]

It's always cool to watch one of these videos and look at one another's techniques

[@RHumphrey]

I couldn't agree more!

[@patriciamarie4478]

Beautiful!

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much!

[@MANinyourhead]

Very clever circle jig.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you!

[@mgt00656]

Mystery metal inlay adds major character and improves it from my eyes! Thank you sir!!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, I sure think so too!

[@richardnash6009]

Excellent project and looks fantastic finish thank you 🤘🤘🤘

[@rx323bug]

timber holds lots of hidden gems. i recently chisseled out a notch for a fence post rail in a 4x4 an struck a knot in the post. i started thinking, why the heck did i lay my notch out right in a knot? i didnt! whats going on here?... then i realised it was a small pine cone imbedded and trapped inside the timber! perfectly preserved for how many years? i dont know. that sort of thing would make a great 'happy accident' if you were turning a bowl and it happened to land in the wall

[@RHumphrey]

That's very interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@maulsantiago5473]

rx323bug

[@irenedavo3768]

Wow!

[@mrhockett1]

Like a mosquito in amber. What a find!

[@lyndacarter5090]

I like that you left the metal in; gives it an extra unique look. Beautiful piece. Did you have to let it cure for 10 years?

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you! No, didn't have to, I just didn't get to it for that long... and I still have a couple more logs of this stuff on the shelf!

[@pmboord]

I’ve never realized the beauty in black walnut until I’ve seen you work with it. I just love it.

[@esmeesme7666]

Lovely bowl.....the patterns, colours, smoothness and curves are perfect. Such a satisfying hobby or line of work. The walnut wood is so beautiful.

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much! 😊

[@ellengraham4677]

I love watching you turn this amazing piece it's beautiful, do you have any of that beautiful cedar left because the shape would look truly gorgeous in cceder .thanks for the amazing videos and I hope your shoulder gets better soon 💜

[@alansimpson596]

Great turning with a beautiful result. I hope you don't mind me offering a little advice which may be of help to others. When you were roughing out the piece you could have kept the tail stock in place for a great deal of the time. Last April I was turning a large natural chunk of wood using a face plate to secure it. I didn't realise I was putting extra stress on the screws because of the unusual shape and it started to come off. I raised my forearm and took the blow and in doing so broke a bone. Normally such a break takes 6 weeks to heal but I healed in 3 weeks which I was mightily pleased about. However, during those 3 weeks I was forbidden by the Doc from driving which was a bit of chore and I couldn't do any turning. The message I want to put across is that whenever possible you should deploy the tail stock for more security.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much, Alan. You are absolutely correct regarding the tail stock providing better support, especially when the piece is uneven or out of round/balance. My jig gets the piece very close to round, but regardless, it still would have been more wise and safe to provide that support. I'm glad you were not hurt worse, and want others to learn from that accident. Thank you for a very constructive comment!

[@RHumphrey]

@rats lol, if you only knew...

[@kamurray67]

R Humphrey old Marines don't get hurt they just get even! Right? Lol

[@RHumphrey]

kamurray67 hahaha truth! Semper Fi

[@xysix2548]

He had eight screws and they were all securely anchored, and the huge faceplate offered full coverage at the attachment end. That walnut block was every bit as secure if the tailstock were employed..

[@mekelmoore3416]

Those curly wood shavings are life💯💯 awesome job on the piece

[@williammclafferty9748]

NICE, always loved wood, & wood work . Comment by Wife

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you!

[@ellenyager9577]

Great bowl with mystery metal! I love it! Seriously! Missed your voice in this, though! Love the timbre of your voice! Hope you are healing up well! Semper Fi! -Ellen

[@peterwilhelmsson4168]

Walnut is such a beautiful wood! It's so darn expensive up here in Sweden, though >.< $70 or more for three feet of 2 by 4.

[@RHumphrey]

That is very expensive!

[@makt4971]

Wtf, in the U.S, we use up dozens of planks of Walnut and cherry just for woodshop classes.

[@juannitasrestaurant2088]

Peter Wilhelmsson, Do you know of buyers who might be interested in buying wood of this kind? We can always negotiate contacts or important information. Midwest Timber.

[@rich1051414]

I live in the southern US, and walnut is everywhere. As well as hickory(also a nut tree that kills things around it).

[@BairdRayburne]

Nice job, black walnut is a great wood to work with.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you! Agreed!

[@tylerkrug7719]

That circle cutting jig is too cool!!! I'm blown away!

[@terrgall]

That really is beautiful

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much! 😊

[@ryans9664]

Looks great ! Just got my first lathe yesterday and now I have a goal project to work towards.

[@RHumphrey]

Congrats! It's a very rewarding use of time, enjoy and be safe! ...and make videos!!! Thank you :)

[@jefferyatkisson7781]

which lathe did you end up buying? I have been looking as well, but want to take some classes first.

[@s10m0t10n]

Ryan - you'll find a lot of good wood turners on YT and plenty of ideas from them. Just be safe, have fun and don't let anyone tell you that there is only one way to achieve your end result. If it works for you, use it. You may make some pieces of ornamental firewood to begin with, but the results will be worth the time you put into your projects. Good luck and happy turning.

[@RHumphrey]

s10m0t10n I couldn't agree more, well said.

[@mariuspopescu8844]

.phrey oe

[@randyjones2204]

The mystery inlay looks to maybe soft aluminum. Great job, enjoyed. Thanks

[@williamk9881]

Love this. Black walnut is my favorite kind of wood.

[@glennfry1230]

This is how you can tell someone is skilled. Just look how fast he chisels away at this wood and not hurt himself... Lol awesome project man

[@RHumphrey]

haha yes! When I click my 5x button I scare myself :) Thanks very much!

[@jaapvandiermen8806]

Glenn Fry uu., ,

[@leenelson5823]

That's right, as I understand it the Zink nails were more like good sized spikes.I was told to watch out for them as I was cutting down my father's small walnut grove as a youth.

[@RHumphrey]

That's really interesting. I'd never heard of that practice until you mentioned it, but it's good to know. I'll have to read up on it 😊

[@SydWaters1776]

Came out beautiful! Even more so with the mystery metal..Awesome video as well. Like the way you just show what your doing with the need to knows here and there.

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much, and I appreciate the feedback!

[@huskyjerk]

It's a beauty ! Beautiful colors and grains.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, I love the look of walnut :)

[@markh4926]

Brother just drop off several Black Walnut logs for my wood stove...not anymore!

[@RHumphrey]

That's like winning the lottery!!! Outstanding!

[@jeremybomnett6340]

That soft mystery metal was a bullet

[@RHumphrey]

I'm pretty sure you're correct! Thanks for watching!

[@bryanlemeilleurtexas]

Yup. Loads of those in trees around our house. Totally wreck chainsaws!

[@lindajarnagin8260]

Jeremy Bomnett

[@edw.4958]

Definitely a bullet.

[@MaddieGraffeo]

Same thing I thought when I saw it.

[@MisterDofJD]

Love walnut. Great job sir.

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much! Segmented walnut vase coming soon....

[@scotstueland8888]

Very nice. That teak oil really brings out the color and grain in the wood.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you! Agreed, I may start using it more often :)

[@douglasmorrison9098]

With that Metal object Being Buried As deep as it was and judging from the shape I believe it was a Bullet because the part that hits its object is made from lead and when it hits its object it will spread out into a semi circle so as to do nore damage as it enters its target so from that I believe it was a bullet

[@RHumphrey]

I originally didn't think it was a bullet, but I do now, and I think it was a large caliber ball...or perhaps a smaller caliber shotgun slug. There's quite a bit of mass to it.

[@slash1956]

While planing a large black walnut slab I heard a metallic ping sound and discovered a musket ball embedded in the wood. I checked with the supplier and the wood came from South Carolina so we thought it may have been a ball from the Civil War era. The ball was fairly centered on the plank in 3" thick walnut so must have been in there for many many years.

[@phantomcreamer]

@@slash1956 That story is crazy!

[@stevenhill6214]

An excellent job and lovely result. Here in the UK walnut is hugely expensive and it's a shame to see all that waste. You might want to invest in a Bowlsaver (I have), you would have got at least two bowls out of that log.

[@RHumphrey]

I've looked at the Bowlsaver systems and I do like them, but I haven't seen any that would allow this type/shape bowl to be made. I save my shavings and plan to use them in future projects, so the waste is less than it may appear to be.....and remember, this log was destined for a fireplace and I rescued it :) Thanks for watching!

[@michaeldoidge3537]

R Humphrey, Exactly, I was watching the turning thinking, "he's going to have awesome tinder for this winter"

[@RHumphrey]

Michael Doidge I'm sure you're right, at least for some of it... Thanks for watching!

[@stevenhill6214]

I have, in the past put cherry logs on the fire and regretted it as that wood is also hugely expensive in the UK....nice aroma though.

[@johnultimate1161]

I live in northern Michigan (USA). Black Walnut grows on trees around here!!

[@bravekumquat3014]

Another beautiful job and another great video! Thank you.

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much!

[@Lesnz2009]

Another beautiful piece. I am not a wood turner or crafts person, I love this kind of stuff an have owned things like this, including pottery.

[@ralphmausehund332]

I see a marine coffe mug semper fi

[@RHumphrey]

Semper Fi brother!

[@davidmcneil2318]

Someone was werewolf hunting and missed.

[@RHumphrey]

maybe... :)

[@georgetteanderson8980]

I love the way the bowl shimmers.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you!

[@MalcolmOliverYouTubeRecording]

Awesome Video of the Woodturning!!@

[@thomasboardman7482]

Thanks, I enjoy watching videos that teach me new things and don't distract me with background music. Visual learners, of which I am one, find this type of video very helpful. Your bowl turned out really nice. I only started turning 9 months ago and videos like yours are very helpful. Just curious, why not use the forstner bit to drill from the very beginning?

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you for your feedback, it's very helpful to my decisions in future videos. The smaller diameter hole is usually enough for me throughout the hollowing process, but this bowl was a bit deeper that I'd done in a while so I felt the need to expand it. It's certainly an option though, and I may do so in the future. Thanks again!

[@brianconroy7514]

R Humphrey amazing turning btw I was wondering what lathe that was kind of looks like my dad's

[@RHumphrey]

Brian Conroy Thank you! It is a Jet 14x42 variable speed

[@stevedingman474]

I'm a visual learner also and love it quiet !!!

[@WyldStyl3]

I agree. I like these kinds of video much more than the ones with just music.

[@tonyneises5195]

Beautiful walnut bowl!!!👍👍👍 love the silver inlay too.

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks so much!

[@michaelhofer9149]

What a beautiful place of craftsmanship! Thank you for sharing your craft to us!

[@robertvelasco6582]

That's the missing puzzle NCIS cannot solve - the missing bullet! lols

[@RHumphrey]

:)

[@doughumbarger8489]

Not to smart to wear a ring while operating a lathe.

[@RHumphrey]

@Doug Humbarger Perhaps, but that's my option. Thanks for watching!

[@RHumphrey]

@douglas carpenter Thank you sir, your finger count is correct :)

[@lilleyandy]

Too! It's not TOO smart to be wearing a ring! I think it's fine, personally.

[@kringles65]

Doug Humbarger too....

[@kringles65]

douglas carpenter Being safe is sissy? The internet allows the dumb to talk!

[@robertahubert9155]

This is why we need woodshop in the schools. An art that should be taught so that it's not lost to manufacturers.

[@TheShootinStar]

My husband and I watch you every night while eating supper. We always enjoy your videos, but especially loved this project. Thanks for sharing your talent. God Bless.

[@RustySh4ckleford]

Fantastic work sir. Brings back memories of me as a boy peeking in to Grandpa's shop wondering what he was making!

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks so much, I love hearing about those good memories! 🙂

[@rrve9998]

Very good looking bowl , specially the color like a piece of chocolate .The grain is marvelous . The bullet hole ... well nothing we can do about that .

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@raulg1garcia]

Now that's is the way to do a project like this. Finding of the center and sawing off the irregularities of the raw stock is the correct and smart way to do this project. Much less dangerous. Kudos!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@foolkiller21]

Wow! Absolutely GORGEOUS!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you!!

[@bonniegallimore7687]

Beautiful bowl just right for showing fruit in it. I really enjoy watching you work on the wood.

[@igardening1493]

BEAUTIFUL BOWL JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@paddyboy1959]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you!

[@believeit3203]

Absolutely beautiful. Gotta love that black walnut!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you!

[@scottblair8625]

Bullet makes a nice talking point. Pretty cool

[@ifonlyful]

what a beautiful bowl, well done

[@ralphhross]

Excellent and very helpful. thank you ! And a BEAUTIFUL bowl !

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@dmaschy599]

Very nice walnut bowl,I got some walnut just sitting there in my garage,got it in 1973 along highway w in jefferson Mo. I IMAGINE IT IS SEASONED.

[@artistaloca4]

Enjoying your video a year later... That shape!! Tremendous! 👍

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@aikiakane]

One of my absolute favorite pieces of wood. Black walnut is so abundant around here where I'm from so it's overlooked as artwork. Gorgeous bowl and neat little bit tucked away in there. Lovely work as always!

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much! It's an abundant species where I live as well. Still quite pricey in stores, but relatively free to be found. (Indiana)

[@kpopahjussi6379]

Walnut is my favorite wood and that bowl is beautiful.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, It's one of my favorites as well

[@fredchopin2776]

I liked the grey of the Raw black Walnut. I was surprised when it changed the color as you applied product. Fascinating and soothing to watch you work. That is a beautiful thing you created!!

[@RHumphrey]

Black Walnut is such a pretty wood, I'm glad you enjoyed the process :) Thank you!

[@josephinelarosa635]

Beautiful and well done.

[@richkeelan1312]

That's awesome love the inlay great job

[@billmorris2613]

A very beautiful bowl.

[@kennethkingery2586]

Great walnut bowl for walnut and nuts.

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks again, Kenneth!

[@rontocknell3592]

I like that you left the chunk of metal in it. It's part of its story. Lovely job!

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much! 😊

[@southside.o.g.9331]

Great Work.., thanks for sharing your gift

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@user-yi9cr8gx8w]

Bravo, Maestro! Super!!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@usergonemad]

Truly amazing work there. At first I was puzzled by your turning the grain crosswise, then at the end the reason was beautifully obvious. Thank you for sharing!

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much!

[@glacierlily4529]

All that beautiful chocolate heartwood gone to shavings. May I suggest you get yourself a corer mechanism Rod, and make 2 nested bowls out of it. Such beautiful wood.

[@brorow7660]

These type of videos are very therapeutic for me they help me relax while enjoying a artist create a one of kind masterpiece

[@TheDaf95xf]

Nice bit of turning with a beautiful end result 👍🏻

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@clivesangster7274]

How great to watch a Craftsman at work.

[@tarass8737]

The best part about your work is how you work with old material and try not to waste even the wood shavings. It's wonderful to see someone make art and also sustainable and making sure to not waste anything.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, I appreciate that!