A friend gave me a large piece of spalted maple. It would make a couple of beautiful bowls/platters.

My question is- because the wood is very soft and “pithy†should it be stabilized or conditioned before I try to turn it? And if so, what is the correct procedure?

Thanks in advance for any information.

 

Lew

 

I've used spalted woods for pen blanks and yse it does need to be stabalized. I've tried using CA glue but for a large bowl or platter that would be costly. There is a gentleman on the IAP website that sells a product called CACTUS JUICE that is used for stabalizing woods. http://www.turntex.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=28

This may be what your looking for. Good luck.

Thanks for the link, Mike!


Mike Dillen said:

I've used spalted woods for pen blanks and yse it does need to be stabalized. I've tried using CA glue but for a large bowl or platter that would be costly. There is a gentleman on the IAP website that sells a product called CACTUS JUICE that is used for stabalizing woods. http://www.turntex.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontp...

This may be what your looking for. Good luck.

Thanks for the link, Arlin. This might be just what I need.

Lew


Arlin Eastman said:

Lew

The best stuff that I know of besides tung oil is this link

http://www.hutproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1321   It is carried by others now too, however, they were the first.

It is by far the best thing that I have used and a whole host of other turners too.

Arlin

Lew certainly you would be the best judge of the piece of wood. I turned this spalted maple bowl and never had to put anything on it to stabilize it while I turned it. I know there are pieces that are different. I got this piece of wood as soon as they cut the tree down and turned it green and then trued it up later.

 

Let us know how it turns out.

 

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Thanks, John.

The piece I received has been drying for many years. I think my biggest concern is securely holding the piece while turning. The piece is not quite thick enough to turn a tenon for a chuck. Too soft for screws. I don't think a glued on waste block will hold, either. I have a home made Longworth chuck that would probably work for turning the bottom but can't figure out how to hold it to turn the inside and lip.

Lew
John Moody said:

Lew certainly you would be the best judge of the piece of wood. I turned this spalted maple bowl and never had to put anything on it to stabilize it while I turned it. I know there are pieces that are different. I got this piece of wood as soon as they cut the tree down and turned it green and then trued it up later.

 

Let us know how it turns out.

 

---

John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com