Arizona Ash for turning?

[phillywood]

Earlier this afternoon I got my hands on abig log about 10-12" in dia. and 20-24" long of Arizona Ash, it is very green as it was just chopped off. wondering if this log is good for penmaking or turning bowl or other stuff?
any help would be apprecited.

 

[Monty]

From the size of it, you can get some good bowls out of it. Split it down the middle, removing the pith, and coat the ends with anchor seal, wax, or even a thick coating of latex paint. This will keep the ends from checking.
As for pens, ash can be a plain looking wood, sometimes it can have some interesting grain, almost wavy.

 

[phillywood]

No one has any interest in answering?

 

[ldb2000]

Sorry Phillip , I don't know anything about Arizona Ash but I do agree with Manny on how to treat it so it don't check or crack . The only ash I've ever worked was a plain non figured piece that I used as jam chucks for making some kitless pens . It worked great , was very stable and I got several uses from them .

 

[wb7whi]

So, if someone were to say that stuff is firewood you wouldn't give it a try anyway. See this kind of question all the time and I dont understand it.

I get a strange piece of wood and I jam it on the lathe then decide later if it was really good wood or just wood.

Ok, going back on my meds now

 

[fernhills]

Hi, Ash is a nice wood. It has some figure and grain. I turned a couple pens with it and i guess it compares to most plain woods category but sometimes that is eloquent outcome.
It is a stable wood and one of the few woods that don`t require a long time to use after harvesting.

 

[hilltopper46]

Apparently it isn't a true ash. If it's from the olive family it may well be very pretty when turned.


From http://www.treenm.com/education/ash.shtml ....



Arizona Ash / Velvet Ash

<snip>

Scientific name: fraxinus velutina
Family: Oleaceae, Olive Family

<snip>

 

[ldb2000]

Most Olive woods turn great and have nice grain to them so this stuff might be very nice for bowls and maybe even pens . You should split it and seal it to dry it . You could rough turn it green to bowl shapes then let it dry and see what happens .

 

[phillywood]

To all of you guys, I apprecaite it. Tony thank you for the link it was helpful very much. And, Wayne, for your information, I have declaired to be a newbie, and I'll find out by asking and trying. Now, go back to your Meds.,LOL

 

[wb7whi]

To all of you guys, I apprecaite it. Tony thank you for the link it was helpful very much. And, Wayne, for your information, I have declaired to be a newbie, and I'll find out by asking and trying. Now, go back to your Meds.,LOL

I did and the world is a nicer, kinder, gentler place. :biggrin:

 

[phillywood]

I did and the world is a nicer, kinder, gentler place. :biggrin:

You wanna be nicer, kinder, gentler you can send me some of the nice woods that grow in OR, that makes up for me asking Qsn.s. glad meds are working.arty::biggrin:

 

[wb7whi]

You wanna be nicer, kinder, gentler you can send me some of the nice woods that grow in OR, that makes up for me asking Qsn.s. glad meds are working.arty::biggrin:

Actually Spokane Washington - The city pine :frown:

 

[sbwertz]

Actually all ash trees are in the olive family

 

[phillywood]

Actually all ash trees are in the olive family

Then, since I've got nothing to loose I give a go and try it, who knows I amy surprise you all while I am at it!:biggrin: