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Can I use this wood? Turning Spalted Maple and Work with Spalted Wood

In Uncategorized by Jason Van Duyn

Spalted wood is one of my main turning materials, when considering wood with some figure.  I primarily turn sculptural vessels and cremation urns and proactively take steps to spalt a lot of the wood that I gather.  In my area spalted maple is most common and the most diverse spalting species.  That being said I spalt just about every species …

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How Big of an Urn do I need? 4 important thoughts

In Uncategorized by Jason Van Duyn

Cremation urns definitely were not on my mind when I started woodworking.  However, once I learned the skills needed to make sealed hollow vessels the seeds were planted.  When considering the idea, I noticed many of the commercial cremation urns are not that attractive.  At least, I didn’t think so and I wanted to challenge that notion with some nicer …

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Danish Oil Finish – Top 3 Reasons to Mix Your Own

In Uncategorized by Jason Van Duyn

If your familiar with Danish oil finish then scroll down to get to the tips.  Otherwise, keep reading for some basic information.  Looking for a list of all supplies discussed?  Click here to jump to the list of the Danish Oil mixing supplies. Danish Oil Finish… Whats that? A little background for those less familiar with Danish oil finish.  Danish …

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Catalog of Wood Sculpture – Hollow Forms

In Uncategorized by Jason Van Duyn

What is a hollow form?  It is a form of wood sculpture, somewhat popular in woodturning.  Think of a wood vessel or pot.  They are made by turning a block of wood on a lathe, creating a form or shape and hollowing out the inside.  Some are segmented, which are lots of blocks of wood glued together to make a …

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Cutting Wood Threads on a Lathe by Hand

In Uncategorized by Jason Van Duyn

Several years ago I learn the process of cutting wood threads on a lathe.  This allows me to make sealed hollow vessels and is one of the quality features on my urns.  I make wood finials out of Blackwood and Persimmon to seal the urn vessel opening.  Sometimes the cutting of threads in wood is called thread chasing.  I do …

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A Rare Find – Unique Story of a Large Magnolia

In Uncategorized by Jason Van Duyn

From time to time I come across wood that has a nice history.  Such is the case of a large magnolia tree that I acquired from St. Paul’s Episcopal in Edenton, North Carolina.  Magnolia (magnolia grandiflora) is a species that is typically long lived and very robust, not often dropped by strong storms.  My experience also shows it to be …

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Ben Owen III – Collection of Spalted Pecan Hollow Forms

In New Works by Jason Van Duyn

I was fortunate enough to run into Ben Owen III at the Winter Show (Greenhill, center for NC arts) this past December, both he and I were participating in that exhibit.  Ben, very generously, offered me some of a pecan tree that he had on his property that was taken down some time ago.  I believe that his grandfather was …