Spalted Alder

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tseger

tseger

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Nov 27, 2005
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New Albany, MS, USA.
I just got in some pen blanks I ordered off of ebay and there was 4 spalted alder freebies included. I have never turned Alder, and was wondering if there was anything I needed to know. It seems extremely lite and really not very stable at all. Any advice appreciated.
 
It will turn easilly and there will be a lot of tear-out. Fortunately it sands easilly, so leave some extra wood for the sandpaper. Use lots of CA glue to harden the wood before finishing.
 
Here is a Spalted x-cut Alder that I turned a few weeks back. http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15470

I did one without stabilizing it and had tear out while drilling. I glued it and while turning, the tear out "surfaced". Those are with my pile of shame right now [:I]

I stabilized this one with plexi-acetone mix before drilling and it came out very nicely. I still doused it with thin CA inside the hole and re-drill before I glued the tube. Again used thin CA as sanding sealer after getting it close to final dimensions.

I think it was worth the trouble though.

Good luck!!!
 
Thanks fellas!! Dario those are some fine
looking pens. I must have missed that post.
I got a few others that I gotta get done and then I'm gonna give the alder a whirl.
 
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