Wood Question

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
wdcav1952

wdcav1952

Activities Manager Emeritus
Joined
Mar 18, 2004
Messages
8,955
Location
Montgomery, Pennsylvania, USA.
I know that Norfolk Island Pine makes great bowls. I have a couple of pieces that I am trying to get my nerve up to turn. Would Eastern Hemlock be a decent bowl blank material as well?

I was afraid that the wood would be too resinous to use, but have a chance to get some from a fallen tree behind my house. If it is as "gummy" as longleaf pine, I don't want to bother borrowing a chainsaw.

TIA,
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
If it is anything like our hemlock in rain forest BC, Canada, I would say some pick a piece that doesn't have any sap dripping. If the tree has been down a while you should be OK.

I have used wet hemlock and it turns fine. The only thing I didn't like is that it is a plain wood with wide age lines. There is little of the old growth still around that people are willing to cut.
 
Originally posted by wdcav1952

Originally posted by Jarheaded

As long as you are borrowing a chainsaw, whats the diffence if it is all sappy?[}:)]:D
Click to expand...

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!

Unfortunately, the owner is my best friend!
Click to expand...

That is why I will lend you my chainsaw if and when you borrow it. ;)
 
I would imagine you could clean the sap off the chainsaw with alcohol or mineral spirits or something like that if you really want the wood.

As far as sap goes, if you bake the wood at 200 degrees (what many kiln dryers do to 'set' the sap in pine), the sap will crystalize and become brittle instead of sticky and gooey, but you'd have to experiment with any particular wood I guess. Got a spare oven in the backyard? [:p]

I know when I bake off my cones for casting, they put a powerful stink in the house, kind of a cross between maple syrup, chocolate, and...well...mildew, I guess. heh
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom