spalted walnut

[sbwertz]

I went to visit my dad and brought back about 8 feet of spalted walnut, about 3" in diameter. Does it need to be stabilized before turning. It is lightly spalted in the sapwood portion of the branch. The heartwood is not spalted. It doesn't seem to be at all punky.

Sharon

 

[JBCustomPens]

You will have to be the judge. If you don't think that it will make it through turning without tear out, than you should probably cut it into blank sized pieces and get it stabilized.

Here's a test for you. Take a screwdriver and lightly press into the wood. If you see very minimal mark on the wood, then it should be fine. Otherwise, I'd get it stabilized.

Hope this helps you!

 

[MobilMan]

One way to decide, chuck up a 6 inch chunk & give it a spin. See what it's like once you get down to good wood.

 

[papNal]

Sharon,I've turned some pretty soft and punky wood,walnut,cherry and all sorts of weird stuff just to see what it looks like.I have good luck using thin CA as I get down around final shape.Soak,accelerate,soak some more,That usually works for me.Now all you've got to figure out is how to get the bushings unglued Good luck John