A beetle or two

[eyekode]

A neighbor had a small maple tree taken down today. I saw it cut up on the curb and thought... "what the heck?":

View image in gallery​

Just kidding that would have been a horrible idea .

I cut the log in half, removed the bark and limbs and dug in with a bowl gouge:

View image in gallery​

View image in gallery

​

The maple ended up being beautiful!

After I turned the two pieces I sealed the ends and put them in paper bags with some of their shavings.
These are intended to be beetles for using with a froe (you know a club to bash the froe with when riving logs?). So if they split no big deal. If one of them somehow doesn't split I will use it as a persuader .

Cutting wet maple is fun fun fun! The curlies stream off and you can take just about as big a bite as you want. But man those beetles make a mess!

View image in gallery​

 

[CarvedTones]

Pretty wood and good turning! :icon_thum

I went ahead and started using my beetles wet/green. I wanted them heavy and slightly soft anyway. The softness is desirable so I don't mushroom the back edge of the froe blade.

 

[eyekode]

Seeing as I don't actually have a froe I don't really need more than 2 beetle's... But it was just so much fun I am going to grab another log today .
Salem

 

[boxxmaker]

OK,now whats a dang froe:dontknow:

 

[CarvedTones]

I got a small dogwood log from Gary (NCTurner) as I had read that makes really good beetles (actually, a sapling root ball is supposedly best) and he went ahead and turned one for me that I haven't used with the froe because it looks so nice. The froe chews up beetles, so many of the images of the you find are ugly.

 

[CarvedTones]

OK,now whats a dang froe:dontknow:

Here is mine:

and in use with an ugly beetle:

 

[boxxmaker]

Thanks Andy,funny thing is that I've used those dang things many times and never new that was what they were called, Uh Duh :embarrassed:

 

[CarvedTones]

Thanks Andy,funny thing is that I've used those dang things many times and never new that was what they were called, Uh Duh :embarrassed:

When roofers use one, it is often called a "shingle splitter". Just don't say that five times real fast... :gar-La;

 

[boxxmaker]

I remember usin them to split firewood when I was a kid,plus I used to make bows (archery) and used them to split small saplings so they could dry out before making the bows from them.Didn't have those power tools then. :no:

 

[manfre]

What did you use to seal the ends?

 

[eyekode]

I used anchorseal. It may not help a bit. After any use with a froe it will be an ugly stick anyway .
Salem

 

[MarkE]

OK,now whats a dang froe:dontknow:

And why is that mallet called a beetle? Or is it a Beatle?

 

[CarvedTones]

And why is that mallet called a beetle? Or is it a Beatle?

Purely a guess on my part, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out it was originally a mallet used to beat L shaped splitting tool...

 

[CaptnA]

I wanted to see the aftermath of turning the log chunk!
Like the beetles. Only thing with wood that green is make sure to dry your lathe/tools.... danghit!
I don't know, I WASN'T thinking.....

Andy where did you get your froe, or did you make it? I have a couple that were my dad's and I am always hesitant to use them too often but wish I could find or even better, make a new one.

 

[CarvedTones]

I tried making one without the forged ring and split the handle. Then I bought the one pictured at Lehman's.

 

[eyekode]

I actually don't yet have a froe . I will probably buy the one at leevalley when they have free shipping again.

And you are right about the water! When using the roughing gouge water was just streaming down the flute . I gave everything a good wipe down.
Salem

 

[CarvedTones]

That $35 at LV looks plenty servicable; I was expecting to see the higher end ones there.

 

[CaptnA]

thanks Andy!

 

[victoon]

wow, they are nice looking for sure!