THE BIG REDWOOD - Sequoia woodturning project
It's not often you get chance to turn a living legend bet here we are turning the giant redwood Sequoia. What can I make from this beautiful crotch piece with it's amazing grain but soft and fragile structure. Watch and you will find out.
Thanks for watching and feel free to leave comments in the chat below.
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DISCLAIMER :
All of my videos are designed to be entertainment only. Please follow all required safety measures when using tools or machinery and always read and understand the manufacturer's guidelines and safety instructions.
The methods I demonstrate are not to be used as a guide for best practice. Thanks
I'm a simple man... When Mike releases a video I click it.
Haha, thanks so much, I really appreciate your support 😄
Me too 🌞
Like you, I used to be indecisive, but now I’m not so sure. And I don’t mind sanding either. Just as well because the oak I’m turning at the moments doesn’t like being cut and hates being scraped! That bowl is nice, Mike. Keep keeping up the good work 🌞
Great looking bowl Mike nicely done as always I have a few pieces of sequoia you've inspired me to go look for it, kind regards From will 👍
@@William_Kenny Thanks Will, let me know how you get on
Thank you yet again Mike, it is good to spend time with you whilst you decide the 'what' and 'how', explain your thinking and discuss your options - lots of tips in there for we viewers to learn from. It is a lovely bowl, too!
Agreed!
I don't have your ability to envision the "solid geometry" outcomes. What a talent you have, nay, a GIFT!
Thanks, that is very kind of you to say, most of it just comes from experience 😀
You have turned an absolute treasure! It's gorgeous.
Thanks so much Robin 😃
Know nothing about woodturning but love watching!
Keep watching and you will soon be able to have a go 😁
The other half of the log gives you the option of turning with the heart on the bottom. Best of both worlds
Thanks Gary, a few have suggested this and it is a good idea. 😁
Hi Mike sometimes it is difficult to believe that is only nature. The result is so wonderful. 😊😊
Thanks so much, nature is amazing!
What a beautiful bowl. I just love redwood and the smell is wonderful. We built our home just outside of the entrance to the Giant Sequoia Park in California. How lucky to wake up and see those majestic trees along the mountain ridge every day. I am a widower now and no longer live in California. But your lovely video brought back found memories and I could even smell that redwood. Thank you, Wes Snyder
Thanks so much Wes, I would love to come over one day and take a look my self! All the best, Mike 😃
They used to have a giant tree that people drove their cars through. But they stopped that some years back. I heard that it was destroyed in a fire. The General Sherman is amazing. Speaking of amazing is your woodworking talent. I really have enjoyed watching your videos. You make it seem so easy. I took a woodworking class when a was in middle school. Then I thought about being a cabinet maker for a profession. However, my path led me to be a Registered Nurse instead. But I can sure spend my free retirement time with you here on KZhead. Thanks again Mike@@MikeHolton
@@wessnyder6345 I'm sure I've seen pictures of cars driving through the tree! I did some work on a lathe at high school but chose other career paths. I'm currently a lecturer (22years) but my wife bought me a lathe a few years ago and I've never looked back, it's like an extension of myself.
Your work is absolutely top-notch. In addition to that your commentary is so informative and engaging. Thank you!
Wow, thank you! And thanks so much for your support 🙏
Beautiful. I lived in San Francisco for 20 years.....just North of the city is a paradise for wood turners wood.
That is so cool, I went to SF once many years ago with work, would love to go back 😃
Another beautiful bowl, Mike. I didn't realise we could grow something like this in this country! I always associate Sequoia with the States so to see this is a real treat! Thanks for sharing it, and keep up the good work!
Thanks Phil, it does well over here, especially in Scotland 😃
A cored bowl set would be so cool in this wood. I really appreciate hearing you talk through your process.
Thanks Alex, I'm saving up for a coring system but those guys are expensive!!!
Having grown up with sequoia sempervirens on the north coast of California, I enjoyed seeing redwood being used. The sempervirens are the world's largest remaining contiguous old-growth forest of coast redwoods. If you have not seen these trees in person, I truly hope you make the journey one day. You will be amazed beyond amazement with everything about them--the size, the height, the fragrance, the age, the straightness, the stillness of the groves, on and on. Makes me homesick! On the west coast, redwood is used for decking, fences, furniture, you name it and it has been used for that. You ended up with a beautiful bowl that should sit front and center, in pride of place. Can't wait to see what you will do with the remaining pieces.
Thanks so much for the description Catherine, I feel homesick now and I've never been! Would just love to visit one day. All the best, Mike 😃
Such a beautiful bowl hidden inside of the sequoia wood
Thanks Tisha, I love finding bowls in natural logs, it really is so much fun 😀
Just came across your channel, I love the fact that we can see your decision making and you second guessing yourself sometimes. There's a reason this is called art and not science. Love it!
Thanks so much and welcome! I try and share my experience and thought processes, I love waht I do and I hope that comes across.
Hello Mike, What a little treasure this piece of wood is. And the fact you have three more sections to experiment with means we, your viewers, will have three more sessions of “oo’ing and ah’ing” to look forward to. And I am sure that they will turn out as beautifully as this very elegant bowl. Well done!
Thanks so much Angela, not sure all three will be turned on camera as I don't like to do too much one one thing but one more piece will certainly be done on camera 😃
What a gorgeous bowl, and I love your commentary style.
Thank you so much 😀
The figure in the wood is breath taking
I know Goaticus, it's way better than I had hoped for 😀
I think 5 weeks is way too generous mate! I think you'll be at 20k and upwards in no time, you deserve it.
Thanks Edmund, I always try to err on the side of caution whe dealing with things like this. Never want to tempt fate lol 😆
I've only turned tiny pieces such as ebony pulls for a ladies cabinet. watching your lovely creations grow from the "firewood" is fascinating and makes me wish I'd done more. Now I have to be content with being an armchair turner. Thank you.
Thanks Garry, nothing wrong with an armchair turner, I'm an armchair blacksmith 😃
I have just found Mike and enjoyed watching this video. I will without doubt be watching more of his videos. Brilliant!.
Awesome, thank you so much for your support Trevor. We are a friendly lot so feel free to ask questions etc. All the best, Mike
I enjoy how you treat the wood as if it is a piece of gold. You have the patience to allow the wood to tell you what it wants to be.
Thanks Bruce, I do try to do the best I can with each piece. Sometimes it takes weeks to decide if a piece is not straight forward, I have one burl here I really want to turn but as of yet I have no idea how to get the best from it.
@@MikeHoltonsame thing here. I was lucky to get a plum burl last year and since my bandsaw is not high enough it's still stickig to the log leaning against my planer. No idea yet.
@@kerstin4516 Ooo plumb burl! Never seen one I bet it will be amazing. I'm in the same boat with bandsaws, I can just about cut a match in half on a good day 🤣
Really enjoy watching you deciding which way to cut and your reasons for that, great work Mike.
Thanks Dave, I have just ordered to more pieces of this 😀
What a beautiful bowl, brilliantly turned.
Thank you very much! 😊
Nice work! The wood is a lot like red cedar. They're both very nice to work with. Take care and GOD BLESS 🙏!
Thanks Stephen, never tried red cedar but the colour is very similar. 😀
I have 14 red cedar trees in my yard. My wife says I can cut them down just to make bowls from them! That color on the sequioa is amazing. I wonder if it has the same wonderful odor.
@@markbryan9989 the piece I turned did not have much of a smell which is a shame
I too am surprised that as a softwood it turned so easy. I would have suspected a lot of tear out. Thank you for this presentation, now I’m going to have to try and find some sequoia
Thanks, you do need very sharp tools to get it to play ball otherwise the tear out will be a real problem. All the best, Mike
That Sequoia wood is really beautiful with its contrasting colours ❤ & l love that u don't waste any of the wood unnecessarily 😊 lovely bowl Mike & l am waiting to see what u do with the other pieces 🩷
Thank you so much Karen, I cant wait to turn the other side 😊
That piece has so many beautiful bits to look at. You really did it justice. That thumbnail sure took a beating - Oowee!
Thanks and yeah, that thumb had had a few accidents over the years, it's a little shorter than the right thumb as I took the tip off with a table saw! But it still works so I'm happy 😃
Beautiful work again, you give everyone so much happiness sharing your love of your art. You make it all look so easy, you show your passion for your craft in every single video. Thank you for sharing. ❤
Many thanks Shelley 😀
That's such a gorgeous colour and contrast. Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you so much! 😃
The bowl turned out beautiful Mike. Growing up on the west coast of the US, I've always loved redwood, and didn't realize it was grown in the UK. The way this turned(!) out really highlights the beauty of both parts of the wood. I appreciate the tough decisions you made on this one, and they turned out for the best I think. Look forward to you turning the other pieces!
Thank you very much! I can't wait to see how they come out as well, all the best, Mike 😁
I love the ripples as much as the red. Fine work! Thanks so much!
Thanks Brenda, I thought I had lost them but so glad they were there at the end 😃
Even though you lost the heartwood through the middle, it still turned out beautifully!
Thanks so much 😀
Such a lovely piece of timber. The grain is fantastic.
It really is Adam, I was lucky to get it 😃
Wow! I appreciate your expertise and the amazing results that are revealed very tastefully with the videos. Thank you so much for sharing your work with us! This first Sequoia piece of four is most enjoyable, so am looking forward to the revelation of the subsequent three pieces.
You're very welcome Mary, glad you enjoyed it, all the best, Mike
I have just got a piece of sequoia from a neighbour, which I am now really keen to turn. Great video thank you
Thanks Andrew, and have fun turning it, keep the tools sharp as tear out can be an issue with it being a softwood 😃
Very pretty bowl! I'm glad you were able to save some of the ripple figure, as it's so attractive! Now you have three more bowls to enjoy making. Well done, Mike!
Thanks Stephanie, I can't wait to do another of these but it may have to wait a few weeks, I have a backlog of projects I want to do first 😃
Good to see you and Hooch back
Haha thanks Ross but I was not aware we had been anywhere 😀
Beautiful work yet again Mike! I had no idea that y'all were growing sequoia redwood in the UK. I always tell my grandchildren to learn at least one new thing a day, I learned my new thing today. Have managed to turn a few things in the past couple of weeks myself, gotta say though, it's a learning curve doing it with only one leg! Set myself up a stool at the lathe and thanked the good Lord for strong arms because I'm needing to control my chisels and gouges through mostly arm strength. Cheers! Ron
Hi Ron, many thanks for getting in touch. I'm in complete awe of you turning with basically just your arms, that is some strength. I'm also a great believer in learning something new every day, my day job is as a lecturer at a local university so it's also my job they learn at least one new thing each day as well. All the best, Mike
Really beautiful bowl Mike. I particularly like the way you document your thinking in the design and construction of your projects.
Thank you very much! Some people are not so keen but they are free to watch someone else 😃
Stunning bowl, always a pleasure to watch, so relaxing.
Glad you enjoyed it Simon, see you next time, all the bet, Mike
Thanks for your videos. It's really nice hearing your thought process, as you go along.
Thanks for watching and I'm glad you liked it, all the best, Mike 😃
Beautiful bowl, and more to come from the reminder.
Thank you very much Cara, I have just finished filming the other side to this but with a natural edge, looks amazing!! All the best, MIke
The grain and heartwood color really lend to a simple bowl design. Great video as usual. I look forward to the video on homemade finishes.
Thank you very much Ted, all being well the finishes video should be out next Tuesday 😃
Pity about the heartwood, but thems the breaks. Glad to see the sequoia wasn’t old growth from the USA. Great work as usual Mike, all the best
Glad you enjoyed it Mick, no this was home grown UK redwood and I can't wait to turn the rest 😀
That's an amazing piece of wood. Beautiful bowl.
Thank you very much Karen, can't wait to turn the rest 😀
O my gosh, what a nice wood.. love the contrast between the hard and sapwood.. 👌👌
Thank you very much, the difference is pretty stunning 😃
Lovely piece of wood Mike. You did it proud.
Thanks so much Ian 😊
Lovely color and figure in that Sequoia. Stunning bowl as well.
Thank you! Cheers John 😀
Fantastic. I love redwood. Can't wait to see the other pieces.
Me too Tim, I may have to do one sooner rather than later 😁
Another great project Mike, just reading down through the comments there's not a lot to add, just another very enjoyable 20 minutes spent watching a master at work
Master at work lol, you have me confused with someone else 😂, thanks as always my friend
A beautiful piece of wood. well done Mike!
Thank you! Cheers! 😀
Nice one Mike, you nailed the positioning to fully show off the crotch grain and colours!
Thanks Michael, I'm still going to do the other side the other way up to see how it comes out 😃
Awesome piece. Mike you have such a gift to be able to envision how to get the most out of a piece of wood. Most people just see a chunk of wood you see art.
Thanks Rex, it doesn't always work out but I do try 😁
Another classic bowl..... Really beautiful....
Cheers Dale 😃
It's very beautiful wood grain in that wood.
It really is! I got lucky with this one 😃
Mike Superb choice on blank and orientation and the finished piece is Great 👏👏
Cheers Doug, I'm just so glad I cut it in half without mucking up 😃
A beautiful piece again Mike, even with that missing heartwood centre.
Many thanks Louis, it was a shame I lost it but these things happen 😀
Turned out nicely! I appreciate the explanations about what you would like to see versus the reality of the piece you are working with. Sometimes it just is what it is...
Thanks and you are quite right, I try and do my best with each piece of wood I get but you can only go so far. All the best, Mike
Hi Mike, another stunning piece of wood. You have a good eye for deciding on how to use the wood. As always I enjoy watching your technique when turning each piece. Stunning bowl when finished. Thanks for the video looking forward to the next one.👍
Thank you very much Roy, all the best, Mike 😃
Another beautiful piece that lets the wood speak for itself.
Thanks so much my friend, this wood is beautiful to turn
A beautiful bowl 😊
Thanks so much Christine 😀
beautiful piece of wood and a great result ..love the simplicity of the bowl
Thank you! Cheers Paul 😀
You do have a good eye for imagining what a piece of wood will turn out to be. I do like the fact that you kept the natural look of the wood as best as you could. Lovely little bowl. I recon the big piece of the wood you have left would look great as a Platter of some sort. Cheers
Thanks Peter, I was hoping to turn the big piece into a platter but I have had a lot of people asking to do the same with the other side but turn it the other way up so the heartwood is on the bottom. So I may have to do that or risk being lynched 😂
@DM_On_Tele_gram_MikeHolton 🤣
Stunning bowl, I enjoyed your deliberating as much as the turning. The thought process in choosing makes me think more about what I should be doing before I start. Thank you
Haha thanks Paul, I cut out at least an hour of deliberation and deep thought, needed doing but does not make for great TV lol, all the best, Mike
Very nice bowl. I really enjoy your commentary. 👍
Thank you kindly! All the best, Mike
Beautiful bowl, initially I thought you were going to turn the entire large piece! 😱You did a great job of cutting it up. Look forward to seeing what you turn with the other pieces. 😊
Thank you very much Ann, I initially bought it with the intension of turning it as one but then it arrived and it was huge 😊
Beautiful piece of wood, stunning piece of work!
Thank you very much! 😄
I absolutely love this one.
Thanks Jack 😃
Very nice. The grain and color are great.
Thank you very much David 😃
Absolutely stunning! Looking forward to your chemistry lesson.
Thanks so much, it's coming very soon 😀
Absolutely stunning! ❤
Thank you Trincia 😊
Red wood is beautiful. That piece looks like western red cedar to me which is also a pretty wood. Great looking bowl! Can't wait to see what you do with the rest of it.
Thanks Eric, I can't wait to turn the rest 😃
Beautiful redwood bowl, Red woods in California are magnificent. I remember our family driving through one when I was 4 years and I am 73 now. Something you don’t forget driving through a tree.
I can imagine Harold! I would love to come over and see the big ones for myself. All the best, Mike
The bowl turned out quite nice.
Thanks Jake 😃
Damn thats a stunning piece of wood great grain and colour
Cheers Colin, first time with this wood and it did not disappoint!
Love watching your videos. Always gives me a nice break at work. I really liked the look of the bowl. Had a weathered copper look to the heartwood. Great job with the redwood Mike!
Thanks William, I watch videos at work as well 😀, luckily I have my own office 😁
Another beautiful piece of art Mike. The crotch would have been exquisite inside the bowl but you do what the wood dictates and you certainly got a nice end piece! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Larry, I think I'll turn the other side of this the other way up to see how it comes out. 😀
I love that you kept this design simple to bring out the beauty of the wood. It's a marvelous piece of wood, the colours are truly remarkable. I can't wait to see how you use the rest of it! And I also love seeing that little doggy on your lathe in every video. It's so cute.
Haha thanks Charlotte, the dogs name is Hooch (viewers suggestion) and he sits there quietly and judges me 😃
Such a gorgeous piece, thanks for the video!
Glad you like it and thanks for watching 😀
I didn't know sequoia had been introduced to the UK. Interesting! Beautiful bowl.
I know, it does not get at tall but it does do well over here 😃
looks great, and it’s wonderful hearing your thought process.
Thanks so much Kevin, all the best, Mike
Nice work, really enjoyed watching. Keep on turning I ' ll Keep on watching!
Thank you, I will, I promise 😊
hi Mike, I really appreciate the attention and detail you put into your craft. excellent work.! I will say, in all humor, the best part of watching may be the treasures in the subtitles. hahaha. I especially enjoyed when it thought your turning noises was supposed to be applause. so funny! Cheers!
Haha thanks Chris, I would love to have enough time to go through it but with a full time job and editing taking about 5 hours for each video there is only so much I can do lol
Again great work!Bowls were the first thing I learned to make in wood shop at as a boy. Still fun to make. I love the way you think before you turn. Cheers from California. 😊
Thank you very much Henry, I'm currently on turning the other side of this, it's looking even better than this one . . . so far, I still have time to mess up 😂
I have enjoyed watching and learning as I begin making bowls in the near future. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching and good luck with your turning, all the best, Mike 😃
Love watching your videos. You do great work. Beautiful products.
Thank you so much 😃
Love those ripples Mike! 👍👍
Me too, so glad they were still there at the end 😃
This was a beautiful one Mike, top job!
Glad you enjoyed it! All the best, Mike 😃
Great job on one of my favorite woods.
Thank you very much Mark, I loved turning it 🙂
That giant redwood sequoia is the most beautiful wood that i've ever seen . simply stunning piece.
It is pretty amazing Simon 😃
i’ve camped under these in CA so this was a pleasure to watch
Thanks Sara, I would love to come over and see them for myself 😀
Gorgeous piece Mike! Love the colors. Have a great day!
Thanks, you too Jim 😃
Really nice! Looks like it finished up super smooth
It's a softwood so never going to be as smooth as a hardwood but it did pretty well 😃
Just beautiful ❤❤❤❤I love it so much!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉 nice job
Thank you so much Gloria 😀
Another great video Mike. Really enjoyed. Particularly like to hear you talk through your decision process. Can't wait for the vid on various polishes. It's something that's not easy to learn on your own and I always end up sticking to the same few, beeswax, linseed, Danish etc.
Thanks, video should be out next week, hopefully I'll be making 10 different polishes using 2 different base oils and 3 different waxes. All the best, Mike
Such a pretty wood. I’ve yet to turn any sequoia and I’m a dang Yankee!! Your right Mike, they do get massive. Or at least the old ones did. A tree you can drive a bus through is pretty big.
I've seen the videos and pictures, these are just a mind blowing size. I would love to see one in person 😁
Heartwood sapwood woodwood 😂its lovely 👏👏👏maybe with the other large piece cut the same off the end so you have two near twins then turn one outside and one inside and keep them as a pair , just my daft idea 😂😂😂
It's a good idea Vinni, I may just do that 😀
Hello Mike, Ahh, Sequoia. I live in the Los Angeles area and I do believe this is what we call Redwood. One of my very favorite woods. Always colorful and usually beautiful grain patterns. I love how you decided to quarter the piece and how you turned the bowl. It is beautiful and fascinating with the way you brought out the ripples. Your insight was spot on. When you were deciding which way to turn it initially I was saying, " NO, no, turn it the other way. " LOL. And you did. I think you made the best decision. But, that's just me and I've always been partial to the redder color. I believe it has more character. Anyway, you did another masterful job. Cheers, Bill Riley
Thanks so much Bill, this is indeed a piece of beautiful Redwood, first time turning Sequoia although I have turned Dawn Redwood which is very similar but just does not have the rich red heartwood. All the best, Mike
Love your work Mike, beautiful bowl and amazing wood. Can’t wait to see your wax/polish making video makes me want to go into my shed and turn something thanks for sharing cheers🇦🇺
Thanks John, the polish making video will be out either next Tuesday or the week after depending on how things go. All the best, Mike