Woodturning: The Wonky Wavy Beech Bowl - A Gorgeous Inlay PLUS Why You Should NOT Use Wood Hardener!

Woodturning: The Wonky Wavy Beech Bowl - A Gorgeous Inlay and Why You Should NOT Use Wood Hardener!
This project was a bit of a nightmare and I made it worse by trying to shore up the extremely soft and punky beech blank with Minwax’s Wood Hardener. Long story short - it is not meant for wood that is not already rotted or decayed, and it is really nasty stuff that you probably don’t really want on your turnings. Just don’t do it!
I used ‪@StarbondAdhesives‬ Exotic Teal inlay material, which looks AMAZING with the beech and the black spalt lines, secured with their Medium and Super Thin CA glues.
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[@mr.modern4419]

February's "Patience of Job" award goes to Lisa Ramlow for her work on the Wonky Wavy Beech Bowl. Glad to see you are over the flu and are feeling better. And thanks for the George Bailey clip, what a great pup!!! Take care.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Bruce! And Bailey sez he appreciates that you appreciate him 🐾

[@scottmedori1437]

Perfect imperfection. We all say that the wood dictates the work. Thanks for sticking with it

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Scott!

[@annlaurie1484]

I admire your tenacity with this one, it looks good on screen 😅

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks! Yeah, it's not bad from a distance. And probably it's my overly critical perfectionist streak - most people wouldn't notice the uneven finish etc 🤣

[@PattersonPatch]

But mom I want them both! Sometimes it is just a learning experience. Stay safe and hope your cold goes away.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! Bailey is a smart, smart boy 🐾❤️

[@dalekuhlman1009]

From where I’m sitting it looks great. I certainly have to give credit for sticking with it. The grain is beautiful.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Dale! It'll grow on me once I've been away from it for a while 🤣

[@jimdaly5077]

Hi I don’t think you’re the only stubborn one 🤣🤣all the best 👍🐝🌞

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Jim! I know y'all appreciate the predicament cuz we've all done it 🤣

[@thefreemathtutor]

Love spalted beech. I’m saving this one to watch during my lunch break today. Happy Friday!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Doug, hope you enjoyed it 😃

[@artr8285]

Yep - as soon as saw that yellow can, I was like "Don't do it!" Crappy stuff and not cheap either! But the bowl looks great, a good lesson in inlaying.

[@LisaRamlow]

I wish I could've heard you! But I knew it was probably not a great idea and decided to give it a go anyway. And now more people will know not to do it! Sometimes it's the mistakes and failures that are most helpful to others 🤣

[@jackthompson5092]

It still looks pretty unique Lisa. I am sure someone will love to have it.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Jack! I'm sure it'll grow on me once I've had some time away from it 🤣

[@bigboy9706]

Even though it's wonky I like the way it turned out

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Michael! It looks better from a distance 🤣

[@walterlangdon5432]

Just a tip I learned from Kim Tippin: when dealing with really punky wood, I like to use epoxy resin/acetone solution to stabilize the wood. This has worked really well for me with past turning projects. The resin to acetone ratio is 50/50. I know you intended for the bowl to be much deeper. My approach would have been to rough out the bowl, stabilize the wood, then utilize a waste block and complete the turning. It really is a beautiful piece.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Walter. I know of the resin/acetone method but have never tried it myself. It definitely would have been a better option!

[@theangrywoodturner9972]

I'm like you I have a hard time giving up on a piece spending too much time on a piece that I should have given up on 😂

[@LisaRamlow]

Man once you've got so much time and effort invested it really is hard to give up - even when you should! 🤣

[@billy19461]

Love your channel! I am like Richard Raffan-- life is too short to mess with wood like that. I just put them in the trash.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Billy, I'm glad you're enjoying the channel 😃 Hard to argue with Richard Raffan for sure but I can be stubborn 🤣

[@raymargo9978]

I had a soft punky piece of maple I was trying to turn. It was giving me the same trouble you had with this piece. I soaked it with a watered-down white glue mix, half and half. Wrapped it in cling wrap and let it sit a couple of weeks letting it soak in. Then unwrapped and let it dry for a couple of weeks, it worked out nicely

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Ray! That's an interesting idea - I've heard of epoxy and acetone mixed 50/50 but not the glue. Haven't tried either yet but I will next time I refuse to give up on a pice of wood perhaps better left for the burn pile 🤣

[@chrisjohnston2449]

I am sure I will not be alone in my thoughts about this beautiful bowl. You did an amazing job sticking with it. I have never tried it myself, but I wonder if a vacuum chamber with wood stabilizer would have made the piece easier to work? I hope you feel better. Keep up the great work.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Chris! Yes, if you want to actually stabilize wood a vacuum chamber and resin is the correct way. I have that equipment but I find it too time consuming and cumbersome and generally a pain in the butt so I sort of permanently lent it to friends. I was planning to do small things, burl pieces etc and even that ended up being more trouble than I wanted to deal with so mostly I just deal with the wood however it is. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not so much. I actually think this would've been ok if I'd just used shellac and not tried the wood hardener. Oh well, now I know! And so do you guys! So it's a Public Service Announcement 🤣🤣

[@alinmayerthorpe7801]

Maybe it is just how it looks on a video screen but I think it looks really nice! The wood hardener is something I have never used so thanks for the warning, great looking bowl and thanks! Cheers Al

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Al! Yeah, just leave that stuff alone. I might not be so critical of the bowl after I've had a little time away from the whole debacle 🤣

[@-Deena.]

I actually love it being imperfect 🧡

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! I'm sure it'll grow on me after I've had some time away from it 🤣

[@hayesrutherford9415]

You may go a long time before you turn wood that spalted again. But if you decide to, turn your piece close, then brush on a liberal coat of the white glue type material from the hobby stores that is for decoupage. Then final turn and if it's a bowl, then do the sam on the inside. Then finish as you like.

[@LisaRamlow]

Uh yeah. It really was like turning MDF 🙄. I'll check out the decoupage medium, I'll bet Lori has some here

[@cyndywaskelisthecrowscall]

Lisa: I don't think you can get 'em both. Bailey: I'll show you! 😄

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Cyndy! Yep, showed me didn't he!? He is a smart, smart boy that's for sure. We used to have two of the frisbees cuz he doesn't always want to let go so we'd throw the second one as soon as he was close enough to drop the one in his mouth. But occasionally he'd fool us and wouldn't drop the first one, take off after the second one and spend half a minute trying to get them both stacked up right so he could bring them both back 🤣

[@cyndywaskelisthecrowscall]

@@LisaRamlow 😆

[@WoodturningWithJohnMarro]

Sometimes we just power through. Thanks for sharing :)

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks John! Yeah there's some threshold past which you just can't give up 🤣

[@amandatallis9875]

Hi Lisa sorry you had so much trouble with the wood as it looks gorgeous and I like the spalting in it and the the colour is nice. The inlay looks wonderful, the grain is lovely. The Wonky Wavy Beech Bowlis magnificent and unique. How is Bailey? Thank you for a fabulous video I like you explaining everything. Take care Amanda xx

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Amanda! Bailey is doing well, we are currently driving home from doing a couple of art fairs along the gulf coast in Alabama and he sez he's ready to be home!

[@valeriehenschel1590]

Wonky bowl looks good in the end, even though it put you through the wringer! I love doing shell inlay, but have moved from C.A. glue to UV resin for doing curved surface inlays. Less fight, no staining to deal with. Hope you recover quickly.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Valerie! I have UV resin but haven't used it with inlay - I'll have to give it a shot. Although the bottle I have is a few years old at this point and might not be viable any more 🤔

[@valeriehenschel1590]

@@LisaRamlow I learned from Stephen Hatcher who lives locally. He did a workshop for our club on different inlay methods, and UV was one of them. Really works well for placing pieces and anchoring them where you want them. Scott at Easy Inlay now doing the demos instead of Stephen.

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Looks good, Lisa.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Brad

[@johnames8942]

I have had trouble with super glue staining and now, thanks to you, to put on some 1lb shellac first. I hope that will cure the problem because I can't seem to sand out the stains.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi John! Yes, the CA really doesn't sand off well. I think normally this would've been ok sealed with shellac, but this beech was just something else! 😖

[@jackburton6085]

Perfectly imperfect Lisa, thanks for bringing us along on this one! Hope you’re feeling better ✌️❤️‍🩹🍻🖖

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks for watching Jack! I'm finally starting to feel a bit better, but man this has been hanging on forever!

[@patconrad1045]

I use a bean grinder with Black Walnut shavings to fill cracks, it makes it looks like a bark inclusion, I got mine at Walmart for about $19 dollars.

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks, that's a great idea for blending rather than contrasting. I'm definitely gonna get a coffee grinder dedicated to the shop 👍

[@MASI_forging]

Great work as always 👏👏

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Frank18750]

110% for dedication to complete a lost cause. however it will not look too bad filled with rocks. You can never predict how spalted will turn out. Great video as always

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Frank! I'm just glad to be able to move onto something else 😃

[@Audie1234]

Looks nice

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Audie! It'll probably grow on me once I've had some time away from it 🤣

[@crystalswenson8844]

Bailey learned his persistence from you, Lisa. Keep trying. Keep trying. Keep trying!

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Crystal! Yes, beagles are also stubborn! I mean persistent 😜🤣

[@edwardukleja4583]

I think the bowl looks great!!!

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Edward. It's not bad from a distance! 🤣

[@kathrynseaman6482]

it's still pretty with the inlay

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Kathryn! The inlay looks great, and the bowl isn't awful from a distance. Maybe I won't be so critical of it after I'd had a little more time away from that whole debacle 🤣

[@trurex007lee7]

Misery loves company, we’ve all been there on some project or another.

[@LisaRamlow]

Right!? I knew y'all would understand my pain. And why I just kept going 🤣

[@vincenthunter465]

I think that it looks nice

[@LisaRamlow]

Thanks Vincent! It'll probably grow on me once I've had some time away from it 🤣

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

Hey Lisa ! You and Bailey share at least one trait - keep trying ! though Bailey succeeded and you weren't as pleased with your results as he was. I think it turned out fine with what may be what I call sanding bands which are similar to tool marks but wider. Once I get to a stage where I think 'wood hardener' it's too late and belongs in the scrap pile. Unless the wood looks too beautiful. In fact I've got a 4x4 spalted maple that is so punky. I infused with 50:50 epoxy:acetone to harden but it's not cutting well. Bottom line is Hardener Is Not Usually Worth The Effort. About when you needed pliers to open the can - was that because of the state of your shoulder ? Me ? Those things take so...long...to...heal. Ugh. Plus you've been flu'ed. Double Ugh. All told, we are happy to hear your voice and share in your travails girl. Until next time, take care. -Mike p.s. I usually use a scotch brite to even down my shellacs these days and just consider them primer coats. Did you known shellac washes out of scotch brites w/ soap 'n water ?

[@LisaRamlow]

Hey Mike! Yeah, sometimes it's just not worth it. I think it may have been ok had I just stuck with the shellac. And if I'd left the walls thicker near the top. It sanded evenly with the shellac I'd used to help with the CA staining but once I put the hardener on it went sideways. Lesson learned! Th pliers on the cap was not just me - I read online that everyone had trouble with the cap so I was prepared for it. Wish I'd read the FAQs before I used it though! Shoulder is slowly getting better. Saw the ortho yesterday and she said it's probably 6 months before I'm 80% and only be at 90% at a year so I'm just trying to be patient and keep up with the PT. It's still really weak and PT is progressing, but slowly. Apparently shoulders are hard 🤣 Bailey is as stubborn as his mom, for sure. And I did not know about the scotch brite pads, that is excellent information-much appreciated my friend! 😃

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

@@LisaRamlow 👍😎

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

Very nice I love the wood. I wonder if after you rough out the bowl if Cactus Juice Stabilizer would have helped.

[@LisaRamlow]

Yeah Cactus Juice and the vacuum chamber would've done it but that's a big blank and I found the stabilizing to be a big pain. Imma learn to leave that punky stuff alone one of these days!

[@gregoryh4601]

So Darn Good seeing you again. Looks likes Shoulder doing Good. You getting a lot of Snow? Zero in Ohio. Lisa you take Care . Lisa do you have a Room Air filter system to have you Lungs? How Big is you Shop?

[@LisaRamlow]

Thank you Gregory. No snow here, and I have 2 dust collectors, an overhead air filtration unit and several respirators 👍

[@psilverz4848]

When you say the wood hardener "doesn't work" do you mean that the wood did not harden at all?? (ps I liked the bowl! I have a couple really punky spalted maple bowl blanks that I'm trying to figure out how to work them...)

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Perry! I suppose it did harden but it didn't absorb evenly and it never got shiny as the can said it was supposed to. I was reading the FAQs on the Minwax site (after the fact of course) and they were saying not to use it near plants etc so I wouldn't use it at all. If you want to try to save some wood that's probably better off in the burn pile (but it's so pretty!!! 🤣) I would try the epoxy resin/acetone mixture. Mix it 50/50 and brush it on and let it cure. I've not done it myself but lots of folks have and it is most times a reasonable solution. 👍

[@STMwoodturning]

Sorry you had such a battle with this project. The inlay was nice though. I've come to realize that some wood isn't worth turning. You don't have to save all of it.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hi Stuart! Yeah, that lesson apparently hasn't completely sunk in yet 😜

[@jasonholman6153]

Sorry that gave you such a hard time 😂 I have more if you would like to try again.

[@LisaRamlow]

Hahahaha....thanks? 🤣 The wood was definitely super soft and dry but I think it would have been ok if I'd A) Not gotten it so thin at the top And 2) Not used the wood hardener I think the shellac on its own would have been ok. Oh well, I got some practice with the inlay and I'll never have to wonder if I should try the wood hardener again! 😂

[@RightHandShot]

That turned like it was fiber board, yikes.

[@LisaRamlow]

Right!? Not a shaving to be had anywhere on this bowl 😬