Scored some Spalted Cottonwood...
- Thread starter Janster
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low_48
Member
Hope you have a stabilizing setup!
SDB777
Member
Curious, as to why you think spalted timber needs to be stabilized?
Not all timber that has fungi in it is soft and unusable. It fact, before the 'craze' of stabilizing chamber makers' hit the forums with 'juices of all types', timber was turned all the time without anything more then sharp tooling and a good CA finish.
BTW, sure would like some close-up photo's to better see the spalt lines.
Scott (spalted equals fun) B
low_48
Member
I based the comment on the hardness of cottonwood. Spalted is not the issue. Besides, I don't see that much spalting in those pictures and I have a LOT of experience with domestic woods.
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SDB777
Member
How did you know the cottonwood is 'punky or too soft'? From looking at the photo's provided, I'm not seeing those qualities....
Jan, got the emailed photo's and the spalting does look nice. What are you going to end up making with it? Decided yet?
Don't forget to make some bigger blanks for something like duck calls and such. Cottonwood makes some great 'sounding' barrels!
Scott (saweet score) B
its_virgil
Member
Cottonwood is a very soft wood. It stinks to high heaven. There are much better woods to turn than soft woods like cottonwood...especially those that emit such an unpleasant odor. But, to each his own.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
Do a good turn daily!
Don
low_48
Member
Here's a link for you Scott. Wood Densities
Cottonwood's density is 25 lb/cubic foot from a good board, American White Oak is 47. At 25, you are in the hardness of cedar, pine, and poplar. Now if the cottonwood has fungus in it, the likelihood that it is less dense than a good board is pretty likely. You don't have to believe me, just stating facts about the densities of wood.
With a density of 25, you can easily dent it with a finger nail.
Cottonwood's density is 25 lb/cubic foot from a good board, American White Oak is 47. At 25, you are in the hardness of cedar, pine, and poplar. Now if the cottonwood has fungus in it, the likelihood that it is less dense than a good board is pretty likely. You don't have to believe me, just stating facts about the densities of wood.
With a density of 25, you can easily dent it with a finger nail.
SDB777
Member
So your saying anything that has the density of Cedar, Pine , or Popular automatically has to be stabilized?
Tell, me....what did everyone do before stabilization was possible?
I probably know more about wood densities then the common fella. Been cutting timber for a LONG time...... Probably processed more timber in the last week then most have turned in a lifetime.
Scott (fancy links don't impress me) B
Tell, me....what did everyone do before stabilization was possible?
I probably know more about wood densities then the common fella. Been cutting timber for a LONG time...... Probably processed more timber in the last week then most have turned in a lifetime.
Scott (fancy links don't impress me) B
I haven't tried to turn any Cottonwood, but working for a tree company, I know that Cottonwood is a softer wood. It is a fast grower, which leads to less dense wood. That is not to discourage you from trying to turn it, it is just to say it is going to be a softer wood, fyi.
Tossed it into the firewood stack.
Many chunks of wood have been saved by stabilizing. CA is caustic and expensive...fact. Stabilizing is expensive...fact. I can save much more wood, cost wise by stabilizing than by CA...fact.
Not everyone likes stabilizing or the wood derived from it, my suggestion is not to use it if you are that offended by it. Your other option is to take a good looking piece of wood, and toss it out because you had neither the money or ability for CA or to have it stabilized.
What was the best thing before sliced bread or gas engines? Most processes evolve...enjoy it or reject it...your choice.
Jan is just down the road, and I do.
low_48
Member
Man, I'm really on a roll lately. First I upset people all over the world (especially Australia) on a post about sharpening tungsten carbide. Now I make a a 6 word reply about a softwood and follow that up with a chart showing wood densities. Now I get your (fancy links don't impress me) reply. Looks like a lot less computer time for me coming up!
Pehaps....
........We can get together and both have some nicely stabilized blanks? PM...if you may be interested......Be well...........Jan
P.S.........the wood does not stink!
........We can get together and both have some nicely stabilized blanks? PM...if you may be interested......Be well...........Jan
P.S.........the wood does not stink!
stonepecker
Member
Isn't all wonderful when we can help eachother?
Jan is one of the best people here. I owe him for the help he has given me.
Looking forward to seeing another one of your creations Jan........bet it will be special.
Jan is one of the best people here. I owe him for the help he has given me.
Looking forward to seeing another one of your creations Jan........bet it will be special.