With Black Walnut being as ubiquitous as it is in the woodworking world, it may come as a surprise that this is my first time ever turning it, at least on camera.
Huge thanks to Forever-Superabrasives for sponsoring this video. Visit their website https://biz.forever-superabrasives.com/ for a wide selection of grinding wheels of various grits and use code "adamsen8off" for a limited time. As most of my returning viewers may know, actual sponsored videos are about as common on my channel as polar bears are at the south pole, so when I agreed to make this video for Forever-Superabrasives it was not without some hesitation. But as a prerequisite to accepting the sponsorship, I asked for time to test out the grinding wheels on my own time. The ability to adjust bevels on my turning tools is something I had never been able to do well, but their aggressive 80 and 180 grind grinding wheels make quick work of that, and the 350 and 600 grit wheels leave a pristine finish and long-lasting edge, as long as the steel isn't overheated in the process of grinding. Oddly enough, the new 400 grit wheel for my Tormek sharpener has a much more aggressive cut than my original 250 grit diamond wheel, which means spending less time at the grinder and more time at the lathe. Works for me!
FULL DISCLOSURE: Although the company did pay me to make this video, they did not get to review this video before publishing, and they did not attempt to influence my review in any way.
This piece of black walnut was harvested and sent to me by a viewer in Oklahoma. I had originally planned to turn the wood naturally, but when I got into it, all the voids, checks, and cracks made obvious the need for epoxy stabilization. Thanks to @TotalBoat for supplying Thickset Fathom epoxy, which turns beautifully and cures perfectly even in my cold shop during frigid winters in Maine. The shape of this piece was originally inspired by my exploding olive burl hollow form of a couple years ago, but I had to scrap that plan and reverse the top and bottom because what would have been the top had a huge epoxy lake, and the bottom would have had lots of interesting grain hidden from view. So, a last-minute decision before hollowing made this piece a bit more unique than originally planned, but my priority is always to allow the wood to take center stage.
Thanks for watching this video! If you want to support what I do, please check out my website https://www.adamsenwoodcraft.com/, where I am taking by the horns the bull that is having an online store and developing merch like t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs and more, which gives you the option to buy something that hopefully you'll love and use while also supporting me in the process. If you're interested, you can find a selection of my woodturned pieces which are also available in my online store. If you'd like to support me on Patreon, too bad because I don't have that up and running.
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Again, big thanks to @TotalBoat for providing the epoxies/resins used in this video. Without their support and amazingly versatile products, pieces like this simply don't happen.
Also, thanks to @StarbondAdhesives for supplying the CA glue used in this video:
Starbond Black CA Glue: https://amzn.to/45YZwRe
Use Discount Code ADAMSEN15 for 15% all Starbond products on their website: https://bit.ly/3hf4oJO
Music:
https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/45i3ed/
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AMAZON REFERRAL LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE:
TotalBoat Penetrating Epoxy: https://amzn.to/3zr1MSH
Carter & Son 5/8" Bowl Gouge: https://amzn.to/2G5YV5g
Crown Diamond Parting Tool: https://amzn.to/2NIqsOj
Easy Wood Tools Carbide Cutter: https://amzn.to/3z6E6Db
Easy Wood Tools Carbide Cutter: https://amzn.to/3yH6JVN
Makita Angle Drill for sanding: https://amzn.to/4cYdtRK
3 Inch Sanding Disks: https://amzn.to/3zFhzQz
3 Inch Sanding Drill Attachment: https://amzn.to/4bEgVQn