Wedding Anniversary Tray-Black Limba

 Hi Everyone,

 I've got a turning project to share with you-a large turned tray to honor the 65th wedding anniversary for a charming couple. 

Here's the story:

Our next door neighbor has parents who live in New Mexico but travel here from time to time to visit. I've gotten to know them over the years and they're really great. They're always interested in the wood shop and I miss them when they return home. Come to find out this August they'll be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. I think this calls for a present.

Discussion and Plans

I have a large 16"x16"x2" black limba turning blank that I would like to use for this project. Limba is a large tree that grows in western Africa-black limba has dark grey or black streaks and white limba has no streaks. The blank I have has many black streaks and is greyish in color. And it's 2 inches thick so I can turn this with a foot and still get enough depth out of it for a tray. 

I'll have to set up the lathe for this by moving the headstock to the opposite end of the lathe (I'll show you a photo of this a little bit later on) and change the tool rest but I should be able to get a wide platter out of this.

Here's a photo of the blank I'm going to use:

 As I think they won't be here until July I have plenty of time to work on it. 

So I have to go to a dental appointment shortly but when I come back I'll get a face plate attached and set up the lathe for a wide turn.

See you all later.

VW