eucalyptus ??

[cschimmel]

met some guys cutting down a big eucalyptus tree today and was able to get a couple of chucks. I know nothing about it so I am wondering if it is any good for pens or anything else. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[broitblat]

I don't know that I've ever seen regular grain Eucalyptus, but there are a lot of beautiful Eucalyptus burls out there and the seem to be pretty stable.

-Barry

 

[ToddMR]

I bet that would make an interesting pen. Never seen anyone post a picture of one the couple months I have been turning now.

 

[jclark58]

I'm also in the valley and have turned quite a bit. It turns well when green but is known for cracking and warping. When dry it's very hard but finishes well. Can have very nice figure including curl and burl, there are numerous species grown in the valley, any idea which you have?

Jason

 

[Russianwolf]

Pretty much every wood from Australia is in the Eucalyptus Family (Mallee, Box, Coolibah, etc.), So its really a big family.

I've even had some spaulted Euc. that was grown in Pennsylvania. The only way to find out how it looks is to turn the piece.

 

[Rfturner]

It does have a tendecy to crack and split but it might look really nice

 

[Allenk]

The Eucalyptus that I've turned was grown right here in Northwestern Texas. It is beautiful wood, has great grain, and has even made some beautiful pens. Just depends on how you slice it..... )
I finished a hollowform from some of it today, and will buff it out tomorrow. Don't have time for phototent pics, but could snap a quick shot on the bridge, if you want to see it...

Here it is: 8"D x 5"H x 3/8"T

 

[cschimmel]

Thanks for all the info, I don't know what type it is. I would love to see a picture of what you made from it.

 

[ersRFP]

There are like 800 species of Eucalyptus. Most all of them are EXTREMELY difficult to dry. I don't mill Euc up unless it has a lot of figure or burl.

This came from one of the best Eucs I milled up.

This one before is was dyed stabilized was very white. The is so dense it only picked up the dye in certain areas. It's very striking in person. The pen blanks are just about dry so I'll probably list some for sell soon.

 

[Great Googly Moogly]

No, Eucalyptus ain't good for nuttin...send it to me and I'll dispose of it properly for you.

please.

 

[gketell]

Just be careful, eucalyptus is one of those things that many people are allergic to. My friend was hospitalized from sanding down a eucalyptus walking stick. He didn't know he was allergic to it until this throat started closing up and his tongue started swelling.

If you aren't allergic (or have a good filter) then eucalyptus can be absolutely stunning!

Tazmanian Eucalyptus Burl bowl

 

[Allenk]

Added Pics

I put a couple of pics in Post #7, above.

 

[Allenk]

Just be careful, eucalyptus is one of those things that many people are allergic to.
Tazmanian Eucalyptus Burl bowl

Greg, that is a gorgeous piece of Euc! I have a small piece, about pen sized, with those inclusions in it. It looks like it was cut from your piece of wood. I think it's some kind of resin in the inclusions... wish I could remember what it's called....

I didn't have any ill effects from the piece I just turned... and I love to smell it while I'm turning.

 

[gketell]

The stuff in the voids in mine was wax. The whole thing had been dipped in wax to keep it from drying out too fast. Dental picks worked great for picking it all out.