Jim says the single most important aspect of his work is showing the qualities and characteristics of the wood with which he is working. If the wood has a split in it, a disfigurement or an unusual color, he will emphasize these characteristics.
Concentric ring lamination is a process that necessitates very little wood to produce a sizable, brilliant piece. By carefully sawing, milling and laminating his stock, the result will be two short laminated boards. These are dry-clamped together and have concentric circles drawn on them. The pieces are released and the semicircles are cut on a band saw at varying angles determined by the distance between the rings. The half-rings are then glued and clamped. The rough-cut bowl is put on the lathe to be turned and sanded.
The result is a stunning bowl made from about 20 to 25% of the material required for a similar solid wood piece.
Lost in the Depths
Staghorn Sumac
Duchess Bowl
