A recent post by @forty_caliber about turning pecan got me to wondering about the domestic woods each of us prefer for flat work and/or turning and, why. For instance, Steve Newman, with his literally hands on experience, doesn't seem to prefer any particular species. But, I'm sure he has a few he'd rather not work with. 

It seems that you turners love a challenge and, will try anything. But, I'll bet you have a favorite. How do you decide? 

Of course, the choice of wood, whether for turning or flat work, will depend on the project, most likely. 

What are the characteristics you use to decide? Is workability a factor? Appearance? Cost? Availability? 

If I could find a supplier, my favorite wood for flat work would be Sitka Spruce for it's ease of working and appearance. It carves nicely, too. But, cost and, lack of availability rules it out for me. But, you lucky folks in the north west can probably find it easily. Cost is another factor, though.

My wood pile is heavy in IL Black Walnut, with mesquite running a close second. I really enjoy good clear pine but, out here, it's scarce and as costly as walnut. But occasionally, well rarely actually, one can stumble on some useable scraps at construction sites. 

I think, for appearance and workability, mesquite has to be top of the list for me. You do need sharp, NOT RED saw blades, though. 

So, tell us about your favorites and why.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 4, 20214 yr by Gene Howe

This will be a fun thread to watch. I am thinking next year of getting a lathe. Thanks Gene.

Whether flat work or turning I prefer Cherry and Maple.  I like the way they machine.  They rarely have any flaws and the grain is not defined, such as oak, and leave a smooth surface to apply finish making that job easier too.  For a cheaper alternative I like Poplar.

I too like poplar for paint grade cabinets, furniture etc. For general interior work I prefer Honduran Mahogany. I like the rich red colors and it’s great for tooling. The black walnut we are using in the media room is a close second. For turning just about anything goes. 
Paul

Here in Pennsylvania red oak is still a popular wood for flat work. It is plentiful and reasonably priced.

 

I really like using walnut for turning and flat work. Locally, it is abundant as the squirrels have been planting it in fence rows for years. It's not unusual to find fireplace wood piles stocked with it.

 

Wild cherry is also plentiful and turns wonderfully, beautiful grain and color. Love it for turning bowls.

 

The prettiest wood I have turned came from a friend who used to live in Snowflake AZ, I think it was mesquite. It came in a surprise package along with some other species I had never seen.

 

It became a gift for my high school vocational teacher.

Lew, did you ever do anything with those manzanita roots. I think there was some sent your way.?.?

Red Oak, cherry, maple and black walnut have been my choices for cabinetry  furniture and bandsaw boxes. Cedar has been my choice for outdoor  items. I would like to try cypress but it isn't available in this area.

Tough question.  I'm not sure I have a favorite.  I generally count myself fortunate and walking in tall cotton when I have some hardwood stock in the shop.  If I had to pick one, it would be walnut, no wait...cherry...no um...Australian lacewood...mmm not domestic...

 

On the other hand it doesn't matter what kind, at the end of the day, it's up to me to make it look good.

 

.40

Edited December 4, 20214 yr by forty_caliber

my favorite wood is free stuff.

 

a friend back in PA cut down an old walnut tree.  he cut out a 12x12x7 chunk of walnut and sent it to me.  i coated it with wax, and there it sits, waiting for inspiration.  seems a shame to turn most of into dust by making a bowl out of it.  hmmmm....

 

other than that, i've used red and white oak for various furniture projects, also made our kitchen out of wormy maple, and do enjoy turning darker woods on the lathe, such as walnut and once in a while teak or purple heart (kind of expensive!).

 

not a fan of pine for any thing other than framing or basic construction use (like making walls for the pistol pits).

 

only thing that grows on our property is Pinion pine and some Juniper, but don't have an easy way to convert logs to usable pieces.

5 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Lew, did you ever do anything with those manzanita roots. I think there was some sent your way.?.?

These 2 pictures are what I made from them. 

 

 

 

Ordered some  more pieces from the same place and made these-

 

46 minutes ago, lew said:

These 2 pictures are what I made from them. 

...And you did with the wood a very fine transformation to works of art.

8 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

...And you did with the wood a very fine transformation to works of art.

Thanks, Dave!

Great job Lew!

For flatwork it would be cherry. Love the way it ages and the color is a knockout.

 

For turning Cherry and maybe a tie with Bradford Pear. Both turn like butter and Turning tops from BP does not even need sanding. Also love the finished look of dark walnut.

 

As to Popular : cost too much in the south

       Pine: tearout is terrible to turn and I just don't like the look for most anything except shop stuff.

@Gerald, as if I could find any here in the desert, does BP grow to 8-10", for flat work, like relief carving? From your description, it sounds like a nice wood for carving.

Yes but the lengths would be less than 6 feet for most. It just depends on how it was pruned before the spread of limbs starts. It is not a commercial wood . I just pick it up whenever I see someone is cutting one.

Cherry, Maple, Ash, Walnut, Oak in that order but maybe swapping Oak and Walnut.

5 hours ago, Gerald said:

Yes but the lengths would be less than 6 feet for most. It just depends on how it was pruned before the spread of limbs starts. It is not a commercial wood . I just pick it up whenever I see someone is cutting one.

Well, dogonnit anyways. Not a whole bunch of pear orchards out here. I did find some pear wood veneer, though....at around $700 per sheet!

5 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Not a whole bunch of pear orchards out here

Bradford Pear is a very misleading name. Although it does produce a "fruit", the berries aren't edible. The tree is extremely susceptible to wind damage.