Sitka Spruce…Thoughts?

[wrjones224]

I have a customer that who has requested me to make some pens out of Sitka Spruce. I have never turned them before but the wood looks kind of bland to me. Has anyone ever tried turning it? What was your experience with it? I have read that it has is too soft to make pens out of it but then again there are pen blanks of it for sale here:

Sitka Spruce Pen Blank - WoodTurningz

Sitka Spruce ranges from cream/white to yellow. It has a fine, even texture, and consistently straight grain. Sitka Spruce is easy-to-work-with and glues and finishes well.

www.woodturningz.com

 

[qquake]

Why did they request that wood specifically?

 

[wrjones224]

Why did they request that wood specifically?

I believe it is a popular tree in Alaska and they had connection to it.

 

[qquake]

I believe it is a popular tree in Alaska and they had connection to it.

Then it doesn't matter what it looks like. It has meaning to them. As long as you can certify that it is real Sitka Spruce. I've made pens out of soft pine, with no problems.

 

[lorbay]

I have turned a ton of them. For log home builders. They are very soft and the customer was advised of this prior to making them. They didn't care. I have also turned quite a few out of denim wood / blue wood / beetle kill pine. Which has a nice contrast.
Lin

 

[wrjones224]

I have turned a ton of them. For log home builders. They are very soft and the customer was advised of this prior to making them. They didn't care. I have also turned quite a few out of denim wood / blue wood / beetle kill pine. Which has a nice contrast.
Lin

Sounds good. I will do the same. I just wanted to make sure they weren't too soft for pens before I told the customer I could do it.

 

[TonyL]

It is often used for acoustic guitar soundboards. Interesting choice and enjoy the commission!

 

[penicillin]

Most piano soundboards are made from Sitka spruce. It is the traditional wood for piano soundboards. I recently read an article expressing concern that the sound quality of pianos may decline due to overharvesting and anticipated shortages of piano quality Sitka spruce in the future.

 

[Rodney W]

Do you know anyone who can stabilize some for you? That should solve the softness problem.