Question about this wood

[Cherie]

Has anyone ever had problems with "flat"spots while turning Sumac? I have been trying to make a pen for someone who sent me the blanks and wanted pens done, but always when I get down to the sanding part, It get a flat spot where the core is soft. How can I help this??

 

[jcm71]

Cherie, are the blanks stabilized? Sumac is a low density wood and may have to be stabilized before turning. Also, are you turning between centers or using a mandrel?

 

[Cherie]

I am using a mandrel. This is the second blank I am having problems with. What do I need to stabilize the wood?

 

[renowb]

If it isn't stabilized you can send it to a vendor to do that, or for a quick fix, use a thin CA to soak it.

 

[leehljp]

I am using a mandrel. This is the second blank I am having problems with. What do I need to stabilize the wood?

This is not uncommon with soft woods and mandrels. The mandrel is flexing with the pressure of sanding AND / OR the soft wood (of course) is sanding down too quickly.

Stabilizing should help quite a bit.

TBC does eliminate some but too much pressure in sanding can still cause it.

ANOTHER Suggestion: get a few wide popcicle sticks and glue small pieces of the different grits of sandpaper on them. (You can glue a piece to each side). The Popcicle stick sanding will spread the sanding pressure equally laterally and should help considerably. Apply only light but continuous pressure. In situations like this, take a little more time in the sanding process - maybe 10 minutes or so extra per pen. There are woods that require that extra TLC, :biggrin: refuse to be treated like other woods :wink: - and then turn out just great! :biggrin:

 

[Bigj51]

I am using a mandrel. This is the second blank I am having problems with. What do I need to stabilize the wood?

I use mesquite man's cactus juice to stabilize my wood, but you need a vacuum pump and vacuum chamber to do it right.

 

[leehljp]

I should have mentioned in the first post: A quick fix on softer woods - Do as Bill Reno said - soak it in CA. Wet it with CA, let it dry a moment or two, sand down, Soak again, sand down. This works well on very soft wood. Only sand down about 1/2 mm at a time and soak good.

Use that method along with using the wide popcicle sanding stick and you should be good to go. Oh, not mentioned above - on soft woods in this situation, don't go below 400 sandpaper. It may take a minute longer but worth it.

 

[Gary Beasley]

Also helps to finish turning with a sharp skew so less sanding is needed in the first place.

 

[okiebugg]

Substitute

Also helps to finish turning with a sharp skew so less sanding is needed in the first place.

You can substitute nail files for non agressive sanding. You can purchase a box of 100 for about $2.00 at the beauty supply.

Staghorn Sumac is more stringy than Willow. I use a small SHARP 3 1/4"Sorby bowl gouge for turning to about 1 1/2 mm oversize then a 60 grit skew J/K 60 grit sandpaper to close to size then finish sanding. Don't get it hot or the grain seems to stay raised.

You can use narrow abrasive shop rolls (3/4" to 1" to remove the wood quickly until you get to the oversize. This is only my own opinion and not to take away from others comments, but it works for me.