This month's tip is more of a self-challenge than a tip.

I had the opportunity to get a 12" diameter limb from a silver maple tree in the neighborhood. I cut it into 16" lengths and brought it home. I stacked it up next to the shop and then sat wondering what to do with it. It came to me to turn all the pieces into the same form. The form is the one in the picture below and is the first piece of the wood I turned. While it dries I'll turn another and another until I have exhausted my thirteen pieces. I want to see how close to the original form I can make each one. Some have crotches, some don't and I will try to show the beauty and differences in all of them. Once finished I'll share them in a future tip column. Wish me luck!

Phil can be reached directly via email at woodturnerphil@gmail.com .