Woodturning: Super Dry and Cracked Cherry Burl - Will it Hold Together!?

Some friends gave me a section of cherry with a burl growing most of the way around it. This piece had been in the pole barn for I don't even know how long, but this is the driest, hardest, most cracked piece of wood I've ever tackled and it fought me every step of the way. I am persistent, however, and persevered! While one of the most challenging pieces I've worked with, the end result is also one of my favorite pieces so it was worth the struggle.
‪@BradsWorkbench‬
‪@RatedRWoodturning‬
I tried out Brad's Tung Honey on this piece and I am super excited with how it worked on this gorgeous cherry burl. You can order some from his Etsy shop:
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DISCLAIMER: My videos are not meant to be instructional videos. I am still learning and am in no way trying to present a teaching video - my channel is classified as Entertainment. Do I hope you get something useful? Sure! Do I think you can learn from my successes, failures, and mistakes? Yep!
However, you are responsible for your own safety! Wearing long sleeves, gloves, or jewelry around machinery is not recommended and can be dangerous!

[@dougsimms5588]

My dog was sound asleep through all the woodturning, but when Bailey started talking she woke up and answered. Wish I knew what they were talking about.

[@LisaRamlow]

I bet they have some interesting conversations 😂

[@thefreemathtutor]

@@mariarusso1155 I am fine, Maria, I hope you are well too!

[@careywatson1593]

Thank you so much for the conversation with Bailey. Oh the burl was incredibly good. One of your best.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Carey, I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@lesliewakelin5329]

Always, I love your presentation. As fusion turners go, they don't come any better.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Leslie, I really appreciate that ☺️

[@jranney1]

Love your “conversation” with Bailey

[@LisaRamlow]

Bailey sez he is glad he could entertain you 😁

[@patdavis1468]

Bailey has my dogs joining in the conversation 😂❤️. Loved the bowl👍🏻❤️

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Pat! I meant to warn you guys about his bit in case you have dogs listening but forgot 🙄 You should have seen Bailey reacting to himself on the video while I was editing it 🤣

[@kaylacarpenter272]

First female wood worker I've seen, yet.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Kayla! Yep, there are a handful of us here on KZbin 👍

[@kaylacarpenter272]

@@LisaRamlow I have always been interested in doing this, but I lack proper funds. Watching helps me fall asleep.

[@felocarp]

Beautiful bowl, Lisa! I love the way you talk yourself (and us) through the process. It is one of the delightful aspects of watching your videos. Plus, some great turnings! Thanks!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Greg, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the channel 😁

[@_zhawkeye_9808]

...just before the piece decided to part ways with the lathe, I was reminded of the old Beatle song, "You're Gonna Lose that Burl"... And then it left...and I was reminded of the old Donnie Osmand song, "Go Away Little Burl"... It turned out gorgeous!!!...congrats on a beautiful work of art...👍 Matt

[@LisaRamlow]

Most excellent comment Matt! You know I'm getting used to things escaping the lathe when my reaction is to laugh 😂

[@_zhawkeye_9808]

@@LisaRamlow 😂

[@janeoverby2151]

What a lovely piece Lisa

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Jane!

[@rayworstine4399]

Good evening, Lisa. Excellent bowl. Well worth the challenge.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Ray! Agree-it came out really nice and I’m quite pleased 😁

[@andyoverall1951]

I thought that you explained the "use whatever tool that works" very well. Bowl turned out nice considering it went flying!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Andy! I was really pushing my luck taking the excess tenon off 🙄😂

[@carolriley8472]

Love the bowl! I've turned quite a few burls and I've never worried about one exploding on me...maybe, I live in a dream world. Bailey is a cutie...my dog Bella talks to me, too.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Carol! I was never quite sure if I was gonna get all the way through this or not, but I sure am glad I did 😁.

[@philvale5724]

Hi 👋 Lisa & Bailey, That was a bit sketchy luckily no damage done to yourself, I was watching one of your colleagues Phil he was turning something yesterday or the other day and he was cutting a lot of air, It was a pity that you lost the bark , I think a natural edge bowl looks more organic, amazing looking piece of art, And the finish looks great, I look 👀 forward to your next project, 🍖🐕 here is a friend and food for Bailey , PHIL FROM THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOULIN 🎶🎸 France.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Phil! Yeah I was bummed about the bark but once I lost one big chunk there wasn’t really any other option. The dark rim and all the gnarly bits give the illusion of bark so it’s all good. Bailey sez thanks for the treats 🐾

[@crystalswenson8844]

I love the bowl and I love Bailey. Thanks, Lisa.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Crystal! Bailey sez he is so glad y’all appreciate his cuteness. Hope you’re doing well!

[@crystalswenson8844]

@@LisaRamlow, I am!

[@bigboy9706]

Just now seeing this. Don't know how it missed it. It turned out beautiful. Very nice Job Lisa

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Mike!

[@jackthompson5092]

Beautiful burl bowl Lisa.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Jack, I'm so happy it didn't explode upon impact 😂

[@noahcount7132]

Yes, Lisa, FABULOUS! This somewhat questionable cherry burl transformed exceptionally well into a gorgeous bowl. There seems to be no challenge to big or too daunting for you to tackle, Lisa, and that's one of many things that make your channel so enjoyable. Thumbs up!

[@LisaRamlow]

Aww, thank you Noah I really appreciate that. 😊

[@mako160962]

Nice job Lisa, and your dog is the greatest😂

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! And Bailey sez he agrees, he is pretty amazing 😁

[@jeanlong4285]

WOW Lisa that is beautiful. I love me some Bailey talk to go along with your turning videos.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Jean, and Bailey sez he aims to pleaze 🐾

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Looks great, Lisa. Like the dog talking.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Brad! Bailey is quite the chatty fellow 😂

[@roncooney8526]

And you should be proud of it. Beautiful job as usual.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Ron!

[@johnwoods9995]

I've just discovered your channel thanks to the Tiny Turner, and I absorbed your cherry burl vudeoearlier today. Highly impressed to see you using the Woodcut bowl saver made just down the road where I live in NZ. I particularly liked yourn approach to assessing the potential of a burl,nas yoyumprocrastinate ansecond guess your decisions like I do. I Ihave 2nprecious burls which I bought at woodturning events here , plus I'm saving burls growing on some giantnold poplar trees on my property, resisting the temptation to chainsaw into them till I'm confident turning burls, this being only my fourth year as an avid turner. Im loving the journey thanks to guru turners like you. Sage advice on carbide tools noted. Thank you sincerely.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks John, I'm so glad you found it helpful! I just had shoulder surgery and am out for 6 weeks - I'm already having serious shop withdrawals! I have a handful of burls to turn when I can get back at it - two oak and some smaller cherry - and can't wait! I'm really happy with the Bowl Saver but need to suck it up and buy the laser guide - it'll save me a lot of stress when coring 🤣 And I love Emma!

[@pangleren1025]

Orhh his so cute. 😍 That bowl is absoluteley beatifull I love the shellow form of it.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you, and Bailey sez thx too 🐾

[@loisbradley1201]

Absolutely beautiful, love the burnt edge. 😊

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Lois!

[@texanasimmons1761]

Its a beautiful bowl!! I love it, I hope the next cherry burl turns out as well.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! Hard to go wrong with cherry burl 😁

[@hansolavpedersen5521]

Realy troublrf piece of wood this one.Loce the rim on this cherry burlThanks for the conversation with Baily, i not understand everything he say but i will try to do what he tell m e to do Take care and be safe you two. Greetings Hans OLav

[@LisaRamlow]

Bailey sez he appreciates you listening to him and only wishes his moms would do the same 😂

[@jackburton6085]

Awesome work Lisa, definitely a bit white-knuckle here and there with that piece, glad it didn’t fly apart/away on ya!!! Thanks for sharing! ✌️❤️🍻🖖

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks for watching Jack! 😁

[@dondeere]

back in the summer i turned three american chestnut reclaimed from church hill downs stables construction. i am just relized how rare that is , what you thank

[@LisaRamlow]

Wow, that’s awesome!

[@ofrank6551]

I too love Cherry burls. I have a few just waiting to be turned.

[@LisaRamlow]

My favorite burl, tho maple burls are pretty amazing as well

[@mr.modern4419]

Great bowl Lisa, I can't wait to see what you do with the remaining half!!! Also, thanks for the kind words a few weeks back, sometimes it seems easy for events to get me down. Plus, thanks for sharing the time with Bailey. A sweet dog is a true joy to behold!!!

[@LisaRamlow]

Hey Bruce! Glad you enjoyed the conversations with Bailey - he is a good boy ❤️

[@patriciamartinez9498]

I'm looking forward to drooling on the yarn bowls if I can find the posts

[@LisaRamlow]

Look for The Hula Hook video - I did one in walnut and a bigger one in cherry. If you can’t find them let me know and I’ll link them for you 👍

[@dianeclemmer1344]

Absolutely gorgeous ❤️

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you 😊

[@patriciamartinez9498]

LoL when you drilled from the sid it looked like an UFO

[@LisaRamlow]

Crazy what we see during the process isn’t it 🤣

[@robertbourke7935]

Lovely work Lisa

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Robert! 😊

[@dosidos9944]

Excellent I also love the dog

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! He’s an easy boy to love ❤️

[@matthewstewart3446]

My Beagle, Iona, does something similar as well. Could definitely be a sister to yours. Looks very much alike even with the mannerisms. Love it, and that bowl is awesome, very well done.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks. Matthew! Bailey is our 4th beagle, but the 3 prior we already old when we adopted them so they weren’t as chatty, We adopted Bailey at 4 months and he has been a handful since - he’ll be 6 in July so he’s finally settling down. Sort of 🤣

[@mikksweeney8804]

That turned out really well Lisa. Beautiful bowl.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Mikk, I appreciate you!

[@cookiescoop6065]

Very beautiful piece have a great weekend ✌️

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! You too!

[@mrtennessee6862]

Love it also!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you!

[@stevekrupa6209]

Looks fantastic! I agree with you about Brad’s products, they’re great!!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Steve! I’m stoked about the Tung Honey

[@JimmyLee0757]

That's cool. I to love the smell of cherry smoke, which is my go to wood for BBQ. I pulled a huge log out of the firewood pile that had a ton of burl, enough to get 7 bowl blanks. The problem is that it's been in there for so long it has termite and carpenter ant damage. I pouring epoxy in to one , but since I don't have a vacuum chamber or pressure pot, it's taking a LONG time. I hope to be able to start back turning it next week. Bailey is cool.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Jimmy! Love working with cherry for all the reasons! Good luck with the epoxy and burl, it’s one of my favorite combinations 👍

[@cyndywaskelisthecrowscall]

Gorgeous!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Cyndy!

[@robertboycewoodturningn.c.7838]

Turned out great 👍. Nicely done

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Robert, I appreciate it!

[@TournageDubois]

Love this piece, Lisa! I am sitting on two large Cherry burls. So this gives me some inspiration for sure!!!

[@LisaRamlow]

Watch these two if you haven’t already - bigger burl with lots of considerations 👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJjdmGqvg8uZnNU kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6nWfZKOfsh5osU

[@TournageDubois]

@Lisa Ramlow awesome! Thanks!

[@wesleyhanna1124]

Beautiful bowl Lisa! Wes @ Piedra Designs

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Wes! 😁

[@diannesorem6389]

Beautiful!!!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Dianne!

[@braddobson2060]

Tung honey interesting

[@LisaRamlow]

Oh I am loving that Tung Honey!

[@TexasTurnings]

Turned out great!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@1954JDR]

That burl bowl is absolutely beautiful. Bailey is such a sweety.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you, and Bailey sez he is indeed sweet. And modest too 😁

[@JOHNSmith-pn6fj]

Beautiful Bow ,great grains. I noticed your home-made tool cabinet behind you. Nice set up. And cost effective. One critique you have a tremendous amount of very dry shavings and saw dust in your shop to have an open flame in there. Hope you have a fire extinguisher close by just in case.

[@LisaRamlow]

Love my spinny tool rack! It holds an amazing amount of stuff in a small footprint. Agree about the shavings, I desperately need to do some shop cleanup but I do have 2 fire extinguishers in the shop. One by the lathe (which was handy in case of disaster here) and one by the sharpening station, which scares me more than the open flame. I did sweep and vacuum that area before I sharpened though 👍

[@grantclarke4713]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Grant, I appreciate it 😁

[@gonzo2.0]

Awesome work!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@victorprimack2070]

Great job. Love it!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Victor!

[@lakesidesusan6745]

Love your channel! I have always loved beautiful wood. This is so interesting to me. Beautiful finished wood. Greetings from Lake Oconee GA!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks so much - cherry burl is one of my favorite things to turn 👍

[@ramwoods]

Beautiful bowl. 👍

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@amandatallis9875]

Hi Lisa what a brilliant job you did turning that bit of cherry burl. The wood has lots of nice grain and markings. I'm loving the burnt edged bowl it is magnificent, the Tung Honey is really lovely. Thanks for a great video. Amanda x

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Amanda, I'm thrilled that I was able to convince it to stick with me til the end, even though we had a few moments where I wasn't so sure!

[@dianeclemmer1344]

He's cute ❤️

[@LisaRamlow]

Right!?

[@alinmayerthorpe7801]

Considering all the problems you had with that cherry burl it sure turned into a beautiful bowl and I think that is what Bailey was trying to tell you, well done Lisa and thanks! Cheers Al

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Al! And that he is soooooo bored. And hungry, as beagles always are 🐾

[@normagene514]

Awesome! Super scary when it took off. Really like the burnt edge. Like to see the other half turned. More Bailey!!!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks! Bailey sez he’s happy to oblige 👍

[@jontoolman]

Thanks for sharing Lisa. I gave a four year old cherry burl in my barn that I'm going to have to dig that out now! Looks great.

[@LisaRamlow]

Oh yeah! Cherry burl really is hard to beat. The grain is just spectacular. Four years should be enough to keep you from getting soaked but not have gotten so hard you have the fight I did 👍

[@mikec53]

Nice bowl Lisa. Super challenging trying to harvest something out of a twisted, gnarly, barky, dry split and rotted jewel. I'd imagine it's just easier to converse with Bailey. I had a couple labs that talked also. Talking to Bailey is just "priceless!" Thanks for posting! Also thanks for the wood turning part of the video...😁..B Safe

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Mike! Bailey sez he can’t help it if he steals the show. It’s hard to be as cute and chatty as he is and NOT be the star 😉

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Wonderful piece of wood. I was afraid you would loose the burl figure having the burl on top. But it came out beautiful. Great job.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Doug! I wish I’d have been able to keep the bark, but I’m thrilled to have the rest of it hold together. 👍

[@michaelmcdermott2178]

Loved your comments regarding tool choice starting around 17:15. I use what's working for the material and job at hand. The sole considerations are getting the work done and staying safe. So a bowl project is likely to see me using bowl gouges, carbide and even my elbows. Also, I use the step cut a lot but not always. Depends what's working. BTW, you'll love the Sandoflex. Don't like torching but who says I'm king of the world? You do you - it's working for those of us who subscribe to your channel. Bailey made my day!

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Michael! I started with carbides because I was totally intimidated by sharpening, but decided after only a few months that I wanted to learn to use and sharpen traditional tools. Thankfully the sharpening jigs available make that process easy-peasy and I definitely prefer the gouges to the carbides, but they have their place for sure. And I don’t like to see people discourage newbies from carbides because they are easy and relatively safe. I think they are a great way to get comfortable with the lathe. Bailey is my sweet, sweet boy but I’m gonna have to watch and make sure his ego doesn’t get TOO big as his stardom grows 😂

[@jayscott306]

Really nice piece, Lisa! Good job overcoming those challenges, hidden within the timber. I liked the look of the Tung Honey, also. I just finished a live edge box elder burl, today. Decided to do the four month walnut oil finish, but I was wishing for the honey or feed 'n wax. It'll be worth it, and is ready just in time for our 18th anniversary, this weekend (the finishing will take a bit longer). Thanks for the conversation with Bailey. I miss my Kiwi, fiercely, and appreciate watching your interactions. Give him a hug for me, and you have a great weekend!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Jay, I was also pleased with the Tung Honey. Ultimately it takes roughly 30 days for the tung oil to completely cure, but it was ready to be handled when I parted it off the glue block. Bailey is a sweet boy and is most definitely a character! I'll give him a good neck scritchin' from you - he's turning into quite the superstar :) And Happy Anniversary!

[@sweetlandsheatingcooling9039]

Nice work, but I love your pup more!

[@LisaRamlow]

Bailey sez it’s hard not to steal the show when you’re as cute and chatty as he is. 😉

[@randyrockwell6136]

Beautiful bowl Lisa! Loved the end with Bailey….. I had Beagles for over 50 years, lost my last one a few months ago😔. I now have a Jack Russell Shorty and she is 7 months old 🐶

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Randy! Bailey is our 4th beagle. We had Mr. Pickles, who we adopted from a rescue as an old, crazy man who came to love us a whole lot and then we lost him. Literally lost him. He ran away from the pet sitter’s house (did I mention he was crazy?) and we never found him. Looked for months. Had big ridiculous search parties and a FB group of almost 1000 members. 😩 So in penance we adopted a bonded pair of senior beagles from a humane society. They were ridiculously cute and sweet and had heartworm but the shelter liked them so much they got treated before we adopted them. The we’re not neutered (we knew this), we’re not house trained (we did not know this), had probably never even been in a house or cares for, and they need up having nots of medical issues. But we spoiled them until it was time for them to go find Mr. Pickles over the Rainbow Bridge, Cooper first and then Stanley. We adopted Bailey just before Cooper got really sick so we had 2 old beagles (Stanley was mostly blind) and a 4 month old beagle puppy running around like a maniac. Poor old guys 😂. Bailey will be 6 in July and has finally settled down. Mostly. 🙄 He is a beagle after all 🤪

[@Chris-gk1vr]

I larrrrv that, up there with your best 👌 I need to say this though, less talking more turning 😊

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Chris, I appreciate it! You’re in the minority on the talking though, so you’ll have to bear with me there 😊

[@judithclever1103]

Hot glue works really good for that.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Judith! Yes but then I have to wait for the glue gun to heat up 😂

[@johnthemainguy9059]

Gorgeous. I was wondering if the shellac may have inhibited the tung honey from absorbing into the wood? Nice sheen anyway. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi John! The shellac doesn’t completely seal the wood, at least not now how I usually apply it, which is one coat of 1# shellac. This time I used 3# but the ring honey still soaked in - I added some more about half way through. I could apply the tung honey directly to the bare wood but I’ve always used shellac as an undercoat for all my finishes, whether oil or friction polish etc.

[@kaylacarpenter272]

You could do an apoxy resin on wood like this.

[@LisaRamlow]

I do some resin work, but mostly if I really think the piece is unstable. This one was really cracked but it had pretty much dried all the way so they didn’t go further while I was working on it. I have another oak burl in resin I need to finish turn so keep an eye out for that! 😁

[@davem6218]

That is awesome. I have liked all the stuff I have watched you make. Where in Michigan are you? Do you ever let people come watch you create and learn?

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Dave! I’m in west central Michigan near Big Rapids. So far I haven’t had time to even think about any in person things but maybe someday!

[@louisjcharlett5804]

Beautiful bowl, Lisa. Question: You sealed the bowl with shellac. Does the "Tung Honey" penetrate the shellac OR is it acting as a polish?

[@LisaRamlow]

Hey Louis! The shellac doesn’t completely seal the grain, at least not how I understand and the way that I apply it, which is usually just one coat of 1# shellac. The tung oil shouldn’t have any issue penetrating or at least sealing up anything the shellac didn’t. I could apply it straight to the wood, I just have always used shellac as a base for almost all my finishes, whether oil or friction polish or whatever. Brad is super good about questions too so if you want a more technical explanation you can contact him directly and he can maybe give you a more thorough answer. All I know is it look. A-MAZING! 😍

[@montyhatch9142]

Check out Klingspor's for decent price on a sandoflex

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Monty!

[@sharonromer6606]

👍❣🤗

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Sharon!

[@sangyenamdrol9392]

You need to watch phil from Shady acres. Wow if you put that puece parrel to the chuck and carved withoyt cutting you would have gottrnthe most beautiful bowl out of that wood😭

[@LisaRamlow]

Dude I’m quite familiar with a fan of Phil - I even have a video of a piece that was inspired by him, but you obviously didn’t take the time to look through my channel before you told me how to create my art. This was a commission, so client determined what they wanted, but thanks for telling me how you would do it if you had a lathe and a YT channel. Drop me a link to your video so you can show me how it’s done

[@sangyenamdrol9392]

@@LisaRamlowi know yiu are a fan of of Phil when you said need to get sand o matic. Your bowl is really beautiful and i also thought Phil could learn from you with your burnt edge that part is super classy and clean. I meant no disrespect in any way at all. There was just a very nice big bowl in there if you did the other way which i know you saw that as well. Your work is beautiful and Phil can definetly take the burnt edge lesson from you, that part i loved it so much. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks for the clarification

[@jimdaly5077]

👍🐝🌞

[@LisaRamlow]

😁

[@dondeere]

do you know what happen to steven ogle i talked to larry the wood whirler is coming and the naked turner are supose to come back these people are having a hard time and i ask you if you could encuurage them later dear

[@LisaRamlow]

I don’t know anything about any of this?

[@dondeere]

i just found out that ogle has taken a full time job and has no time to do videos

[@user-wh5kw2eh9n]

Cant here you so im going on to something else

[@LisaRamlow]

Sorry to hear that - this video has had over 9k views and I haven’t had anyone else raise an issue on the sound

[@Loan--Wolf]

he dont look to bad for a dog that went a few rounds with a porky pine

[@LisaRamlow]

Haha Bailey sez he knows better than to mess with a porkie! Well, actually he doesn’t but his moms know better than to let him off leash where he could get himself into that kind of trouble 🤣