Woodturning a Red Maple Burl

Turning a burl that looks like a brain into a beautiful decorative bowl. This Red Maple burl was donated to me by a subscriber! Thanks Uncle Moe!
Thanks to all for watching, and if you enjoyed the project, please don’t forget to subscribe! Thanks for helping my channel grow!
My email can be found on my KZbin page under the “About” tab. That’s where you’ll need to send photos of your work if you want me to share them with my audience. Right now, I’ve got about a month and a half waiting list, but I’ll be happy to add you to it!
I have an Etsy store called RHumphreyWoodworking (no spaces) that is not stocked yet… but will be. Thanks for your interest!
I’m also on Facebook. It’s just a regular page… look for the little carved bald guy wearing bib overalls under my name, Rod Humphrey. You’ll see things there that I don’t necessarily show on KZbin, but I’m not very active there.
Snail mail me with a sticker, post card, or whatever at:
Rod Humphrey
PO Box 159
Chesterfield, IN 46012
#burl #woodturner #rhumphrey

[@cynthias.369]

Lions, and tigers, and burls ... oh, my!! So glad your site popped up in my suggestion feed! Love your ability to let the wood speak for itself ... 🌼🤗👍🏻

[@prsearls]

A gorgeous bowl with such a fascinating, twisted grain structure. The live edge really adds to the bowl's character. Burls are like fingerprints, no two are alike. I have a very large and old (100+ years?) cherry tree with a three feet burl on one side. I'll never cut the tree down unless I have to. Some future woodworker may get this, I hope. Windstorms and one lightning strike have "pruned" the tree and given me some useful wood over the 42 years I've lived here. This tree is a prominent subject in my backyard sunset photography.

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much, Paul! I agree 100%, some trees shouldn't be cut down, it's just a shame to do so. As much as I love to turn and make things using wood... It's like catching that 12 pound bass. Admire it, give it a big kiss, and let it go on living. And I love eating fish too, don't get me wrong!

[@LisaRansom1211]

Beautiful, just beautiful, Rod. I enjoying watching you create these masterpieces but I also have another pleasure, listening to your deep & calm voice! It’s like honey & a rich chocolate combined. If only you read audiobooks! I’d happily sleep well 😌. And as you say, “Semper Fi” Lisa

[@celalexa6358]

It's amazing what man and machine can do!. I see the hands of this gentleman holding those weird looking tools and I can't help thinking about the people who invented such things. The turning machine and everything else it's so new to me that I find the whole process mesmerizing!. Thank you for sharing your creations!.

[@mikegaulitz4223]

I love this piece . To quote another soft spoken philosopher burls are like a box of chocolates you never now what your going to get. In this case you got a beautiful bowl. Thanks for sharing.

[@RHumphrey]

LOL 😁 thank you, Mike!

[@taramartin6117]

It looks like a honey pot! Beautiful edge and a marvelous idea for using a smaller burl without sacrificing wood. Pooh Bear would love it. Blessings.

[@billy19461]

Beautiful! Two maple burl bowls in one day, both beautiful and both very different. Both by two highly skilled people.

[@RHumphrey]

Much appreciated!

[@warpo007]

Another relaxing 12+ minutes with Mr Humphrey. Thanks again for all the time you put into these clips. Some great turners from all around the world are watching and learning! I'll have to send some examples myself! Would love to see you sharpening routine and how often you touch up your edges.

[@djsorensen6225]

I always love it when you leave bark on a finished piece. I imagine putting flowers in this one and with the bark it would look like mother earth holding some its own beauty. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful! Thank you, DJ

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much, DJ! 😊

[@robertgarland9342]

Very nice. You did a good job on it. As a wood turner myself I was half expecting to see the inside of it fly apart on the lathe but it hung in there better than I thought it would. Thanks for sharing your projects with us.

[@topwatch7119]

WOW! WOW! WOW! At the start I could not imagine what you were going to be able to do with this burl. Like always, you made something fantastic which most people, probably including me, would have used in the fireplace. Great work. God Bless You, and as always, BE SAFE! Anchors Aweigh.

[@luizmenini4579]

Beautiful bowl! Thank you for show my work!!! 😄

[@RoseMaryBowen]

Love this bowl!!! Lots of character. Wonderful projects from your subscribers. So much skill & talent. God bless.

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much! 😊

[@saikoutheguardian]

I love that you kept that rougher edge! It really shows character to the piece as well as gently exhibiting its origins from when it was unworked. It's very beautiful.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!😊

[@rayworstine4399]

Good evening, Rod. I really like the shape you chose for this turning. Made a beautiful piece. Semper Fi and God bless.

[@kentturkow1572]

Fantastic job of turning and design on the fly. It is an interesting piece of wood with the grain and the bark you left on it. I enjoy learning tips from your videos from watching a talented craftsman. Thank you for sharing and thank you for showing some of my work.

[@Fbarts]

I just got my first lathe and have been watching a lot of turning videos. I like that you explain things you are doing, it helps me understand the process. Thanks for doing that and thank you for your service. BTW the bowl looks great.

[@pastorlarrypotts8289]

I so enjoy your videos and constantly learn from you, thank you! The burl is incredibly beautiful and the figures in it are a wonderful surprise! On a personal note, I want to share that I just purchased a 5 year old Powermatic 3529B with extra tools and great Higgs! I it looks brand new. I feel overwhelmed by God’s blessing!

[@ellenyager9577]

WOW! This is a lovely, earthy bowl! The first thing I thought of was a Hobbit Bowl. I love the original Tolkien story. This beautiful work of art would fit into a Hobbit Home stunningly! Semper Fi!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much, Ellen! Me too, Semper Fi

[@gregheffner1896]

EXCELLENT PIECE! I'm a burl junkie, so to me it just does not get any better. So many hidden treasures waiting in each and every burl to be revealed. Thank you.

[@Bamaman14k]

Wow what a beautiful blank, and you truly maximized its potential. It came out absolutely amazing, very good call on the shellac and denatured alcohol. I'm very glad you left the burl true to its grain. I think it's one of my favorite pieces. Good work, Jimmy

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@peterherrington3300]

The grain of a burl has always been my favourite feature of wood. Your gorgeous little bowl is exactly the reason why .

[@jakebendel5238]

Mother nature hides her beauty from you and god gave you the sight and ability to find the beauty, excellent work my friend.

[@jomoma2890]

Oh my. Lovely bowl and beautiful wood. Great job.

[@evelynerudd765]

You are so skilled at bringing out the best of the tree! Thank you so much!

[@kobiekaasjager4822]

Rod it is stunningly beautiful the grain and the rough edge is awesome I love it. You are amazing thank you dear Rod.

[@L.J._Productions]

Love it, that void in the rim is really nice. Thanks for sharing and thanks Uncle Mo for supplying the beautiful burl.

[@MikeVal1369]

Thanks so much for leaving the natural edge! I cry every time I see someone with a beautiful burl turn it into a piece of round stock basically. And semper fi back at you.

[@jeremyromand]

I like it! Great natural edge. Nice that the bark stayed in place that well.

[@stevenfarrell4597]

Great work. As a novice to this art your commentary really helps alot.

[@willpagans8575]

Rod, Really Enjoy watching your videos. Beautiful work! Thanks For Sharing- Will

[@jessefoulk]

There are many reasons I like this channel compared to others but what tops them is the commentary.

[@Cap513]

Wow, What A Beautiful Piece of Work you have there. I saw The Mad Fish, also @ 11:53-11:54ish @ just about the 8-o-Clock area You'll see A Ghost with a face. this is Awesome sir!!! I Love Your Work

[@pastorlarrypotts8289]

I love what you do with burls! Outstanding!

[@janicefrancis5045]

I'm running out of words to describe your work, Rod! Amazing, gorgeous, stunning, glorious just do not do this piece justice. Rugged, yet elegant at the same time and the faces add a touch of whimsy. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Blessings!

[@brittainpricebp9104]

Absolutely gorgeous!! I love burls! Keep up the great work!

[@FinisiusMaximus]

Awesome piece. Very rough and natural looking. I appreciate that you didn't take away the innate look of the burl by adding resin.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!

[@canadiannavywife434]

Stunning work. I love that you showcase others. That goes to show your integrity. Thank you and Hugs from Halifax

[@corymichaels8670]

Lol, love the angry fish! Gorgeous bowl, you can't go wrong with burl. Semper Fi brother.

[@robbiekenan8591]

Wow!! When you started, I couldn't see what it would be. Your finished bowl is outstanding.

[@RHumphrey]

Much appreciated!

[@dougthatcher3521]

Wonderful imagination that goes with your harnessed creativity! So nice! Thanks.

[@RuthlynWills]

Lovely, unique bowl... I do so love pieces that are allowed to speak for themselves!! Thanks for bringing out the beauty hidden in this chunk of wood and sharing it with us 🙂

[@ericschenck9954]

WOW!! LOVE THE GRAIN! Beautiful bowl brother!

[@DavidAdamsen]

Lovely piece, Rod! I didn’t realize till the end that there was that one point of bark protruding up beyond that void! So glad it survived! Wonderful work as always!

[@clydebalcom8252]

That is so wonderful. A chunk of wood that would end up being firewood becomes a beautiful work of art. My grandfather would call that a diamond in the rough. Semper Fi Brother.

[@ivanleterror9158]

And depending on what type of wood stove you have, those shaving could have a "second life" so to speak. Wet them and compact them in a pipe with a ram and dry them to pellets for use.

[@tamwolf20]

Just gorgeous! I love Burl wood creations. There is a wonderful Burl Wood place in Oregon that I stop at every time I am in the state. I believe its called "It's a Burl" Thank you for sharing what you do.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, Tam Wolf, that sounds like a great store!

[@jerrycoleman2610]

Rod, Beautiful bowl thanks for sharing.!.!.!.

[@jimbroomhead232]

wow lovely little bowl. well done my friend looking so good

[@jarmstrong2843]

It must be early this morning since this chunk of maple looked like a cinnamon roll at first and I was hungry. Now that I have the sleep out of my eyes, the maple really did turn out to be an interesting piece of wood turning. I like how the bowl ended up with a natural edge. Another outstanding piece of wood turning from a fellow Marine!!!!! Semper Fi!!

[@RHumphrey]

I hadn't noticed that, but now that you mention it, it does look kinda tasty... LOL Thank you, Leatherneck! Semper Fi

[@carpintariarustica]

Perfect! This object is very beautiful! Congratulations! Brazil see you!

[@billmaxwell640]

Outstanding! I have just been given a sizeable burl ( species unknown but looks like maple ) and I was unsure how to approach it. Your video was a huge help. Nice work, excellent dialogue…..now I know what “ if it holds soup it’s a bowl, if it doesn’t it’s art” means. A big thank you.

[@helenburke9507]

Beautiful. I love Burls. Live in Oregon and find then extremely beautiful especially what is made with them. Thank you.

[@yossiderecheven6322]

Thank you so much for another beautiful item you created.

[@braidwooddesignstudio5536]

Love watching you creating beautiful things! Sitting in an armchair in Australia, watching - I could smell the aroma of the timber

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much! I've been to your beautiful country, loved it!

[@karenperson6090]

Looked like a chemical experiment to a beautiful work of art. I never get tired of watching.

[@fridgewhisperer]

So amazing! I couldn't have imagined how beautiful that was going to turn out and I loved the mad fish haha!

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much!🐟😊

[@PhilAndersonShadyAcresWoodshop]

A beautiful piece of wood to start and a beautifully turned bowl at the finish. I just love all the nature and semi-hidden features, faces and fish! Great job, Rod! Phil

[@whiterabbit-wo7hw]

You come up with the ideas to create out of wood. Semper Fi!! Hoooorah!!!

[@davidl1436]

Very nice as always. I love seeing what you start with and how it ends. Fantastic

[@sharon9917]

Love your voice. Very calm and soothing.

[@lyndacarter5090]

Don’t know how I missed this in my feed. A beautiful, unique piece - dare I say ‘funky’? I mean it in all it’s ‘70’s vernacular!

[@christineingram55]

Nice shape!I really like live edge bowls..Love the people on the bowl lol..It does look like someone on there..nice work 🥰

[@Napalmgas]

Thanks Uncle Moe! Kickass burl bowl! OUTSTANDING work Rod! OU Rah! Gary

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, brother! OO Rah!!

[@SilverBack.]

Fantastic, Please please keep up the GREAT work 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@carolriley8472]

That is so lovely...I have a cherry burl that is almost the same shape. I love turning burls!

[@donfenton7473]

It is so beautiful. I love your live edge bowls.

[@back-corner-turnings]

That came out great! I like that you kept it on the thick side. I believe live edge bowls tend to look better when they have a little heft to them.

[@alansimpson596]

Just beautiful Rod and perfect tool work. Semper Fi.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you, my friend! Semper Fi

[@randybiby9757]

One word. Beautiful! Great job Brother.

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

Always fun to watch burl get turned into something - the grain is beautiful & the final product is chock full of visual interest. Great work sir!

[@Woodden]

WOW!! what a great bowl. Outstanding work.

[@la_belle_heaulmiere]

I absolutely love the raw realness of this piece. I greatly admire your work, thank you for sharing it with us.

[@RHumphrey]

Much appreciated!

[@glencrandall7051]

Another very nice piece from the Humphrey shop. Some fantastic figure in that burl. Uncle Moe found you a very nice piece and you did it proud.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much, Glen!

[@jusitnaltman3544]

Very nice bowl absolutely gorgeous and great finish. Semper Fi brother

[@ThePapa1947]

This is a great piece Rod! I love all the nature that is left in it. Burls are like an ever changing painting. The more you look at it the more you see. Great job brother... Semper Fi Gary

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much, Gary! Semper Fi

[@MANJITSINGH-ko2oi]

Hi r Humphrey that burl is so beautiful. great.

[@Georgia-WRBNS]

I Love this Beautiful natural edge bowl! I really like how you left the one section open! I really like the uniqueness it gives! Keep up the great, great work Rod!

[@KimTippin]

Beautiful !! Love the "mad fish"! looks like two people holding one another on the other side. 👫 Thank you for sharing! God Bless 🤗🤗

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much, Kim! 😊

[@pnwRC.]

It's ALWAYS a good day when when I awake to find you have another beautiful specimen secured into your lathe!

[@suzetteedwards7956]

Doggone Rod, that there is a really pretty bowl. I love the natural edge.

[@chaoticconjuring]

So beautiful! I love the “mad fish” on the side 🤣 The natural edge is perfect for this piece. Amazing work! Thank you so much for sharing this 💜

[@sandymaciver5801]

That looks so pretty. It’s amazing how you bring beauty to the objects you make. I really like watching you make them.

[@brucek6563]

I was surprised the bark on the edge stayed intact!!! Amazing work on that bowl!!! It's beautiful!! That "fish" makes for an interesting conversation piece!!! 👍👍👍

[@sgtbma1]

You had me at Semper Fi, so I subscribed! 👍 Really good work you do ,also I appreciate your demeanor ! Carry on, marine ! ❤🇺🇸👊

[@leenelson5823]

Very nice shape to show off this burl.Thanks for the vid.

[@robmoore1846]

Well done my friend , reminds me back at Sam Barlow High 82 Oregon . Love Working with wood

[@elenin.3228]

This is an absolute masterpiece and yes, I can see the face. Thank you for the opportunity to admire your technique. When speed falls to normal I literally watch those CNC hands of yours with my nose pressed on the screen. Take care of yourself and keep creating!

[@RHumphrey]

Thanks very much! 😊

[@MikeB0001]

Beautiful!..I saw the mad fish..lol👍🏻👍🏻

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you Mike!🐟😁

[@GingerLeeH]

very unique. beautiful. I like this kind. Thanks for sharing.

[@sheilahperry-rosales8748]

Love the natural edge and shape! Burl is always different.

[@LivingstonBrothersWoodcraft]

Superb job, Rod! Well done!

[@mike02719]

Beautiful work on the burl. The grain is always a surprise.

[@michaelhofer9149]

That is so totally awesome! One of my FAVORITE KZbin channels!

[@the1stdavej505]

Awesome. I love the grain of this burl.

[@richodegard3918]

All of us newbies thank you. So far I’ve made some pretty firewood!

[@BRAMB0SSS]

I really like that the pieces of wood that aren't of any use for making planks and stuff, are the most perfect pieces to turn

[@Whisperblade]

Another beautiful piece, thank you for sharing it with us.

[@weathormantom7206]

Love it. Thanks for the videos, Rod. I always look forward to Friday mornings. I'm learning a lot from you.

[@RHumphrey]

Thank you very much! I'm glad my videos are helpful!

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

Beautiful piece,man.Thanks for not playing some odd background music.

[@PHIL_S]

Very cool and nicely done - I'm always glad I found your channel and thank you for all the videos