Red Grandis or Ipe

Edited November 15, 20196 yr by BillyJack

I don't have a lot of experience of working with a variety of woods.  I find that I can burn cherry quickly by my inattention.  I like working with poplar as long as I don't get the green colored wood.  That is usually saved for painting.  I like working with pecan and cedar.  I usually try to protect myself with gloves and breathing masks when handling cedar.  It take finishes well and has beautiful color.  I am about to try sassafras.  Old tree to be cut down and this is totally an experimental thing.  Mulberry is beautiful but hard.  I think it may be durable as maple.  And, I love working with maple.  That's my limitation.  

 

Oh, I forgot that I am turning some Bradford pear.  It seems to tear out easily even with a skew.  Chisel is sharp enough to cut hairs off your arm, so I'm hoping that it's the dry wood.  

Edited November 16, 20196 yr by FlGatorwood

6 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

I don't have a lot of experience of working with a variety of woods.  I find that I can burn cherry quickly by my inattention.  I like working with poplar as long as I don't get the green colored wood.  That is usually saved for painting.  I like working with pecan and cedar.  I usually try to protect myself with gloves and breathing masks when handling cedar.  It take finishes well and has beautiful color.  I am about to try sassafras.  Old tree to be cut down and this is totally an experimental thing.  Mulberry is beautiful but hard.  I think it may be durable as maple.  And, I love working with maple.  That's my limitation.  

 

Oh, I forgot that I am turning some Bradford pear.  It seems to tear out easily even with a skew.  Chisel is sharp enough to cut hairs off your arm, so I'm hoping that it's the dry wood.  

Don't know what is going on BP is one of the best turning woods. Try sharpening and do not rush the cut.

Every try Dogwood?

 

 

 

 

Oh, yes.  I have never turned dogwood but did make this box.  I think that this dogwood tree had beautiful wood.

 

As you can see, I had to add some wood to get the size.  A piece of cedar near the back and a piece of pecan to fill one void of about 1".  

 

The black holes in the top are where the worm borers damaged the tree causing its failure.  

Edited November 17, 20196 yr by FlGatorwood

1 minute ago, FlGatorwood said:

I have never turned dogwood but did make this box. 

NICE!!!

On 11/16/2019 at 8:30 PM, Woodbutcherbynight said:

NICE!!!

Double ditto!!!

I have worked mostly with pine, some beech (glue-lam) and some Tasmanian Oak. But my repertoire has yet to expand and I have so much to learn

 

I still like pine .it was cheap and workable....

Not a fan of pine. But, Jack sure makes it look great. Of the conifers, I really like Sitka Spruce. 

Pine was 50 cents a board foot in the 80's and I worked with it. I made a lot of craft shelves, book shelves,knick knacks,etc...

 

When your starting out its a good cheap wood to make you a better woodworker. It, shrinks and has a mind of its own. Most woodworkers on the forums want high dollar woods to create great projects  but sometimes you need to start small and with fairly reasonable price woods so you can learn..

 

I pulled this out of the attic several months ago. Many old shelves up there. 0ver 30 years old....

 

Edited November 21, 20196 yr by BillyJack