Before
Could have been firewood.
The process:
Find a dead tree
Cut it to length
Mark approximate centers for lathe
Make certain your last will and testiment is up-to-date, don your face protection and body armor, adjust the lathe to the slowest possible RPMs and mount the future beer glass in the lathe.
Finding that lowest speed is important.
Change tools and readjust as the cylinder size is reduced. Gradually the RPMs can be increased.
Trim off everything that isn’t a beer mug
When it approaches the shape you want prepare the end for the talon chuck.
The talon chuck holds it by the end so you can begin hollowing out the vessel.
Note the protrusion at the base to serve as a grip for the talon.
If your material is mesquite some filling might be needed at this point.
Gale’s been using chrysocolla for that job lately
Now you’re ready to begin hollowing it out.
A closer view:
Gale prefers to use a drill press to take out part of that center plug because it’s awkward and the speeds of the material vary and directions reverse at the center.
Then back to finishing the rough mug.
The rough part of the job done, cheated death and any more of these one more time:
Other finished, or near finished vessels:
There’s not much money in it for him, though he sells a lot of them. But you have to admit there’s something magic about turning a dead tree into a wine glass or beer mug.
Sometime soon I’ll show you some of his silversmith work.
Old Jules
So Far From Heaven 
wow….beautiful work there….!!
where do we find these for sale?
Thanks
Morning bill m. Thanks for stopping in. I don’t have anything to do with that end of things, but you can email Gale at ccwoodbutcher@gmail.com and I’m sure he’ll be glad to send pics of what’s already done, or make one custom for you any way or size you want it. Gracias, Jules
great craftsmanship!
Thanks frizztext. And thanks for the visit. Hopefully Gale will see your comment when he reads the blog. Gracias, Jules
Those are beautiful. “Trim off anything that isn’t a beer mug” Love it! 🙂
Hi Carly. Thanks for coming by. I agree he does beautiful work. Gracias, Jules
Nice post. I love the pictures. It suddenly rekindle my memory – I am able to relate to the entire process because at one point in my life I was involved with woodworking and machine tools. I am looking forward to more ……..
Hi Michael. I’m obliged you stopped by. I’ll probably be posting some of his other work in a week or so. Silversmith work I’m thinking. Gracias, Jules.
Someone with this ability is as much an artist as one who paints or sculpts. It’s a real gift.
Hi Kevin. Good of you to stop by for a read. Yep, Gale’s got a lot of talent. Gracias, Jules