My first segmented project, a vase; oak.

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Round Mirror with Carved Rim

Redwood Burl Platter with Bark Inclusion

Matt Berger, executive producer

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Redwood burl platter with bark inclusion.

The bark section ads some artistic flair to the platter, but it was difficult to turn. Especially for a first timer like I was...

A view from behind. The burl figure wasn't as pronounced on the back as it was on the front.

Redwood burl platter with bark inclusion.

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Redwood burl is a neat wood to turn on the lathe despite its many complications. No matter how sharp your tools, it tends to spit out dust rather than fine shavings. Its density is constantly changing thanks to the ever-changing grain pattern, which can lead to uneven surfaces. And over time, the rich glowing red color of the wood fades to a cloudy brown. That said, the color and figure of the wood is something special.

This platter is turned from a hunk of California Redwood burl that I picked up in Berkeley, Calif., from a redwood scavenger/reseller called Artisan Burlwood. (If you're in the neighborhood, this outdoor showroom is worth a visit). It measures 24 in. dia. and 3 in. thick. The finish is an oil/varnish mix.

posted in: The Gallery, turning, platter, redwood burl

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Comments (2)

MBerger writes: Thanks applewax. I turned this platter on a big Powermatic lathe at a community woodshop about 10 years ago, so I'm not exactly sure which model lathe I used. It looked a lot like the current 3500 series that measures 20 in. from bed to center. Posted: 3:11 pm on August 8th

applewax writes: Beautiful work, Matt. I was totally impressed even before I read the "24 in. dia." part. Wow. What lathe do you use?

Thanks for sharing... Posted: 1:10 pm on August 7th

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