Bowl Blanks or Pens?

[Harpazo]

I'm going through my old firewood pile and finding this inside. Comments Welcome. The piece measures roughly 3" x 10" x 20". I thought it had pretty good character. I'm checking some of what I've been burning to see it if it's worth messing with. Would you bother or burn it?

 

[Old Codger]

Looks like a nice piece of spalted maple. It certainly would be a shame to use it for firewood! From the size you mentioned, it would make a nice couple of bowls, platters, or several smaller ones or several boxes plus a number of nice pen blanks although I'd rather see it used as bowls, platters or boxes. Let us know what you decide and send us a photo of your finished turning projects! Safe turning to you and yours!

 

[alankulwicki7]

I'd turn it. Whether it be bowls, pens, stoppers or something different, I'd throw it on the lathe!

 

[robutacion]

Yes, you can get a couple of nice pen blanks out of that and then stabilize them if excessively soft...!

Cheers
George

 

[Harpazo]

All of this looks like it may have spalted after it was cut down. It had been cut & stacked for years likely. I think this may have ambrosia beetle holes too but I don't know if that was what killed the tree.

 

[Bellsy]

Why not a winged bowl?

 

[JD Combs Sr]

Given the dimensions you quoted I would think that there are several varieties of turnings in there. I see a bowl or maybe two pluse a couple ornaments and maybe a couple bottle stoppers and at lease a couple pens.