What Does a Woodturner Do?

In this case I’m talking about turning planks into platters. Wide planks can be a great source of one day projects. Because the wood is already dry it can be finish turned in one sitting. The limitation is that thick wood does not dry without cracking in most cases. That’s why planks and platters are a match made in heaven. Platters are thin. An eight quarter (2”) plank makes a beautiful platter.

You can’t buy 2” thick hardwood boards over 12” wide at the local Lowe’s or Home Depot. Finding planks wide enough to make a platter takes a little looking. Lumber suppliers, local sawmills and even ebay are good sources. I have bought lots of wood on ebay. I have a friend that makes molding. He runs thousands of board feet of lumber every year. If a special plank comes along, he sets it aside for me and other woodworkers in the area.

Below is one such plank. It is 17 1/2” wide. It came from a very big walnut tree. It is not perfectly flat but it didn’t cup very much.

17 1/2” 8/4 black walnut plank

I cut off a 17 1/2” section, cut it round on the bandsaw, attached a faceplate with short screws and turned a foot (tenon) on one side. I removed the faceplate, and chucked the tenon in a four jaw chuck. I turned the shallow curve with a raised bead and sanded the inside. I removed it from the four jaw chuck, turned it over and mounted it with a vacuum chuck. I turned the tenon into a foot and sanded the back side. Add some walnut oil and voila, you get the platter below!

#2029 Extra Large Black Walnut Wooden Platter

This platter took a couple of hours from start to finish. I do a sealing process that takes some extra time but it helps bring out the figure and makes it smoother to the touch. It’s a fun way to spend some quality time in the shop. Not all walnut turns out this pretty. I got lucky with the plank!