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At the invitation from fellow woodturner, Sam Angelo, I turned this 2″ by 7″ tube from fresh wet cherry. This project is fun because when the turning is finished, I go to the microwave to heat it up. With a couple of excursions through the over, the tube warps and takes a shape of its own. The shape is only somewhat predictable.

The wood blank is cut cross grain from one half of a log at one side of the pith.

My process is:

1. Rough turn and cut a tenon on one end.
2. Reverse mount
3. Finish rough turning
4. Refine exterior.
5. Drill and hollow from one end. Best tool for this task is a square corner box scraper.
6. Reverse the wood into deep shark jaws. Some protection for the exterior may be in order.
7. From scrap, turn plugs to fit both ends of the tube.
8. Remount between centers and refine the exterior. Remove any marks and defects. Reduce to desired wall thickness.
9. I cut beads on the exterior to further refine the exterior and to reduce the wall thickness. The thinner the wall, the more it may warp.
10. Wrap packing tape around both ends wrapping tape around into the inside. This protects the ends from drying too quickly and catching fire.
11. Microwave on high for a minute. Remove and check progress.
12. Repeat until the wood is dry.
13. Optionally, add finish.

My DIY steady rest and new box scraper came in handy for this project

Good turning.