Woodturner's Resource
Woodturner's Resource  
  • Featured Artist    • Websites   Support Wr
Tutorials, Projects & Tips   • Event Calendar   • Tool and Book Store
  Home Page Forum HelpSearch Map TPT Resources LoginRegister
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
What is one wood type that your will NOT turn (Read 779 times)
 
Ron Sardo
WR Administrator
WR Patron
*****
Offline


Chief cook and bottle
washer

Posts: 9,673

Drums, Pennsylvania, USA
Drums
Pennsylvania
USA


PM 3520
What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Aug 14th, 2017 at 8:07am
 
This week's question comes from Tom Coghill and he asks...

QOTW: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn (what type and why do you avoid it).

Well I have two that I won't turn, oak and maple.

Oak, because it stains everything and most times I feel its a bit boring looking.

Maple is my favorite wood and sadly over the years of working with it I developed an allergy to it and triggers an asthma attack. Luckily I still can use real maple syrup on my pancakes in the morning.
Back to top
  

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register
WWW  
IP Logged
 
Tom Coghill
WR Addict
*****
Offline


Turning, when I am done
with my chores.

Posts: 1,128

The Villages, Florida, USA
The Villages
Florida
USA

Gender: male

Oneway 2436, 3 HP 220V, now with Stainless Ways
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #1 - Aug 14th, 2017 at 10:47am
 
Like Ron, I have two:

Monkey Pod - I have found that when I turn Monkey Pod, my sinuses light up like someone just put Cayenne pepper powder up my nose or spread Wasabi in my sinuses Shocked.  It generates a very fast "No More, Thank you very much" response from me, after my eyes stop watering Cry.  Interestingly, this is the only type of wood that I have found that I have this reaction.

The second is our local Cottonwood, but it is for a very different reason I leave this wood alone.  This wood is like a sponge WET, dries slowly and is too soft even when dry.  I have a 14-inch diameter by 10-inch tall bowl that I made from local cottonwood.  I got it done, however it was like trying to turn and finish a Q-Tip!  Even now, more than a year after the final finish is on it, I can still dent the end-grain wood with my fingernail Angry.  It is true what they say - Life is too short to turn bad wood. 

PS - I have had luck turning a wood similar to cottonwood - Aspen from Utah.  While still on the soft end, the aspen seems to naturally grow dryer, making the wood quite nice for hollow forms. Thumbs Up
Back to top
« Last Edit: Aug 14th, 2017 at 10:48am by Tom Coghill »  
 
IP Logged
 
Bert Delisle
WR Addict
*****
Offline



Posts: 1,424

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Calgary
Alberta
Canada

Gender: male

Vicmarc 300
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #2 - Aug 15th, 2017 at 2:49pm
 
Petrified, too hard on tools.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Rick Caron
Senior Member
****
Offline


So many logs, so little
time!

Posts: 456

Greer, South Carolina, USA
Greer
South Carolina
USA

Gender: male
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #3 - Aug 15th, 2017 at 7:03pm
 
Turned 2 bowls of  pecan  dulled my  chain on saw and  gouges,  Now have  5 blanks of  locast    will try 1  may just it to heat shop. Smiley
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Ed Weber
WR Administrator
WR Patron
*****
Offline



Posts: 8,937

Wilton, California, USA
Wilton
California
USA

Gender: male

JET 1642
Grizzly G0584
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #4 - Aug 16th, 2017 at 10:14am
 
While I haven't tried them all, up to now the uncontested champ is Black Palm.
Botanically speaking, it's not really wood at all, just an overgrown grass.
I've tried it a couple of times so now I can cross it off the list and move on. We are never to speak of it again.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Steve Doerr
WR Addict
*****
Offline


Wood is one of God's hidden /> /> canvases.

Posts: 837

Joplin, Missouri, USA
Joplin
Missouri
USA

Gender: male

Rikon 70-050VS
Jet 1642 EVS 2HP
Robust American Beauty
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #5 - Aug 16th, 2017 at 1:15pm
 
2x4's and plywood--Never really turned plywood, but I don't think it would be any fun. Cheesy

Like many of you, I have also started developing a reaction to certain woods.  Right now, I avoid walnut and cedar.   Lips Sealed

Tom, I now know why you sent me that monkey pod several years ago Grin
Back to top
  
WWW  
IP Logged
 
Ed Weber
WR Administrator
WR Patron
*****
Offline



Posts: 8,937

Wilton, California, USA
Wilton
California
USA

Gender: male

JET 1642
Grizzly G0584
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #6 - Aug 16th, 2017 at 4:28pm
 
Any Walnut is welcome in my shop, just in case you were wondering. Grin
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Chris Neilan
WR Addict
*****
Offline


OUCH!

Posts: 999

Waterford, Connecticut, USA
Waterford
Connecticut
USA

Gender: male

Powermatic 3520
Delta 46-460
Shopsmith 10 ER
Shopsmith Mark V
Shopsmith Mark 7 Powerpro
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #7 - Aug 17th, 2017 at 6:12am
 
MDF- never again! Occasionally had to turn a piece for a jig or some special purpose. Dust everywhere except where the moon doesn't shine! Maybe there too!  Just finished building a router table and had to route three channels in the top for T-slots and a miter channel.  Should have done that outside....  From now on Baltic Birch only.
Back to top
« Last Edit: Aug 17th, 2017 at 6:13am by Chris Neilan »  

Delta 46-460: awesome
Powermatic 3520: more awesome!
Shopsmith Mark 7: Wonderful! (But I don't use it as a lathe yet)
Shopsmith Mark V
Shopsmith 10ER
 
IP Logged
 
Len Layman
WR Addict
*****
Offline


What have I got into??

Posts: 3,118

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands

Gender: male

PM 3520b
Jet 1220
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #8 - Aug 17th, 2017 at 10:13am
 
Any palm that grows in the Cayman Islands.  I have tried them all and have learned my lesson!!!
Back to top
  

Len

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."   MLK
WWW  
IP Logged
 
Tony Rozendaal
WR Addict
*****
Offline


WR Rocks!

Posts: 990

East Troy, WI, Wisconsin, USA
East Troy, WI
Wisconsin
USA

Gender: male

Robust AB
Grizzly 12x20 Midi Lathe
Delta 10x16 Mini Lathe
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #9 - Aug 17th, 2017 at 1:07pm
 
I don't think I have found that wood yet  Grin Grin .

But, I have not yet been successful turning palm, and don't really care to try again.  I always hate to close any door though.  I have found as my skills develop, what was undoable in the past becomes doable at a later date.

Back to top
  

Turnin' and learnin'

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or Register
WWW trozendaal  
IP Logged
 
Glenn Jacobs
WR Addict
*****
Offline


JC L&S

Posts: 2,077

North DFW, Texas, Texas, USA
North DFW, Texas
Texas
USA

Gender: male

Powermatic 3520C
Re: What is one wood type that your will NOT turn
Reply #10 - Aug 17th, 2017 at 1:08pm
 
Due to my allergies, nothing imported.

Ron, The only reason for pancakes is to have the maple syrup.  BTW what's a gallon going for up there?

Glenn J.
Back to top
  

Woodworking all my life. Turning since ~93
Glenn+J  
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print