Woodturning - Fixing Cracks in Burl Bowls with Epoxy

In this video I finish turn a set of roughed out cored burl bowls. The bowls all have some degree of cracking in them that needs to be dealt with. For some cracks I use 5 minute epoxy, others I use normal epoxy and for just small cracks I use wood dust and CA glue. The woodturning is fairly straightforward and uses the same approach I use on all my cored bowls that have been initially turned wet and then final turned after the piece is dry.
Instagram: / frankdidomizio_woodturner
Facebook: / frankdidomizio.woodtur...
Website: www.frankdidom...
Email: [e-mail]
Tools I use in my videos and some product links:
Stihl 391 chainsaw
Robust American Beauty Lathe & tool rests - woodchuckers.com/ ,www.turnrobust....
Oneway scroll chucks woodchuckers.c..., oneway.ca/, oneway.ca/
Vicmarc scroll chucks www.branchesto...
General Salad Bowl Finish woodchuckers.c... , www.amazon.ca/...
Sandpaper woodchuckers.c..., sandpaper.ca/h..., stockroomsuppl...
5/8” roughing bowl gouge - Woodchuckers, Lee Valley, Busy Bee
5/8” bottoming bowl gouge - Woodchuckers, Lee Valley, Busy Bee
1/2” finish cut bowl gouge - Woodchuckers, Lee Valley, Busy Bee
1” skew for shear scraping - Woodchuckers, Lee Valley, Busy Bee
Epoxy/Resin - Woodchuckers, Lee Valley, resinate.ca/pr..., designerepoxy....
Andre Martel calipers martelhooktool....
CA glue - Stick Fast at woodchuckers.c... or Lee Valley
Woodburner - Razertip www.leevalley.... or Burnmaster at www.chippingaw...
This video is for entertainment purposes, woodturning can be dangerous, follow all safety precautions when using your tools and equipment and get proper instruction/training.

[@gregdownunderinOz]

Thanks, I also fill checks and voids with epoxy, and you process your work very similar to what I do. It’s nice to see that my method is also your method.
It’s exceedingly frustrating when epoxy leaks though, there’s not a whole lot that can be done, I’ve tried to resell with hot glue and popsicle sticks and others bits but usually lose a lot of epoxy..

[@frankdidomizio]

Thanks, yes agreed, keeping the dams from leaking epoxy is an ongoing problem and a challenge. I have no magic solution yet

[@kevinhesprich8349]

Very 😎

[@lpsports]

Gorgeous bowls!!!

[@frankdidomizio]

Thanks

[@reltcl1995]

Great video keep on turning

[@frankdidomizio]

thanks

[@kristymarriner8403]

Thankyou for sharing this as it has helped me immensely. I do not turn but I do carve bowls and I have been searching for help with filling checks and voids. I had a number of questions that you have answered for me with this video and I am close to having my first attempt at filling cracks and voids that have come up as pieces have dried. Beautiful bowls too by the way. My grandfather was a wood turner and is much of the inspiration for me now. I wish I still had him to ask for advice from, but I'm sure he guides my hand more than I realise, though he is not here. Much love, and thanks again.

[@frankdidomizio]

Thanks, I have been using epoxy for cracks for a few years now and it gets easier the more you do. Good luck, hope it works out for you. You should give woodturning a try, it might be a bit trickier and you need an investment in tools and equipment- oh well doing anything with your hands is always very satisfying

[@kristymarriner8403]

@@frankdidomizio thanks so much. And I may do one day, I have the majority of equipment for wood turning (we have a number of lathes one being suitable for wood) in part left to me by my grandfather, but also I am a turner of metal, engineer and mechanic by trade. I don't know why turning wood doesn't appeal to me right now. I guess I am having too much fun carving and learning all the ins and outs of that, as the transition from metal to wood is quite a large one, more than is often realized. But I also being in New Zealand, we are struggling to get access to things quickly, and at the moment I have all I need for what I am doing. If there were things come up that I needed to switch into a new skill the frustration and cost of obtaining what I need may put me off more so for now I'll put it on the list and who knows it may be a new year's project.

[@davebenson1021]

Thank you Frank for the great video. I too am have issues with cracks and you have filled my voids (mind). Haha, guess I will have to try the System Three answer. The bowls turned out great. Keep turning...

[@frankdidomizio]

Thanks, yes those nasty cracks are always a challenge. Pretty well any epoxy will do the trick, there are a lot out there to choose from these days.

[@terrytenley9327]

I like your work here thank you.. I often find I need to dig or open up a crack to be able to force enough epoxy into the crack in a secure way.. I use a foredom or dremel to open the crack. some have rot around a crack or included bark.. I have used clear resin mixed with the sawdust from the bowl to more or less cover up the crack completely.

[@frankdidomizio]

thanks, great idea. i have not had to widen any cracks yet, but i do try to get the bark out before i put the epoxy in. Also good idea to use dust in the epoxy. Often i like to purposefully color the epoxy to highlight the fact that it is there….seems to sell better when i do this. 😃

[@terrytenley9327]

@@frankdidomizio yes the high lighting does add to the piece much.. Years ago I just ground down the crack if the crack was on the rim..so much easier today.l

[@ronnieoreilly821]

Fabulous bowels 👍

[@frankdidomizio]

Thanks Ronnie