Advice wanted on wood please

[The Shark]

Hi Guys,
I have the opportunity to aquire some willow and eucalyptus that has recently been cut down in a private garden.
Before I commit to taking some, I wondered if any of you knowledgeable people could advise me as to whether it is any good for turning or not.
I am still really at the practising stage, so could I use it just to practice my tool techniques.

Thanks in advance

Malc

 

[milkman]

haven't turned it but did some riving with eucalyptus and its like badly glued splintery ply.
Check the variety of willow. There's a variety called crack willow thats no good for weaving, though I don't know if this is relevant to turning

 

[PowerTool]

They both seem to hold a lot of water,and be prone to splitting.
If it's free,I would get some and turn it green - as you said,it's good practice,and at no cost.

Andrew

 

[tekno.mage]

Willow is inclined to be a bit "woolly" when turned - at least that's what some of the books I've read advised - after I'd been playing around with a bit of willow and finding it very difficult to get a decent finish! Also there are many different types of willow - presumably "cricket bat" willow doesn't suffer from the woolliness problem, so might be nice to turn?

tekno.mage

 

[milkman]

here's a load of info on all things willowy and cricket batty.

 

[The Shark]

Thanks for the re[lies guys.

Malc

 

[John. B]

My brother-in-law lives in durham and emailed to ask can I turn willow.
I said, "Never tried" so he sent me a twig in a jiffy bag just big enough to turn a pen.
It is woolly, but does smooth out. mostly whitish but did have some figuring. The pic doesn't show it very well but I've left it with a soft sheen instead of a high gloss.





John. B

 

[chipchaser]

Hi Malc,

I did a quick Google and came up with these:

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?p=907844

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/E ... aking.html

Sounds as if Eucalyptus is useful but lots of varieties, another site says 500 so pot luck if yours is a good one but if its free

Regards

Graham

 

[milkman]

think eucalypts are one of the most diverse trees there is and willows not far behind

 

[The Shark]

Thanks guys,
I'm not sure which species either are, and fear that neither will the owner.
I think I will get some and have a go.
At the worst, I'll get some more practice in and fill up the exotic firewood box!

 

[lurker]

Malc,

Dump the willow, don't even bother trying to burn it as it is rubbish for that too.

If you really are desperate for some wood, give me a PM - I have a garage full still in log - come over and have a look

 

[The Shark]

Thanks Jim,
I'm not desperate for wood, it's a relative who is keeping it for me.

I'll take you up on your offer of a visit soon. Have you got electricity yet in your Northern climes? :wink:

Malc

 

[Bodrighy]

All those fancy australian burrs like jarrah etc are a species of eucalyptus. The one that is usually seen in this country is the one that has little round leaves when young (much loved by florists) and is the one that can be a pig for splitting. I have turned small pieces successfully but a piece I gave Chas about 2 years ago is either thrown out in duisgust or still drying as far as I know. In other words it is fine for practicing tool technique but don't be surprided if it splits either whilst working it or shortly after. To mak those wonderful thin things that some experts do you need to be able to turn darn quickly.

I have some willow I was given 18 months ago and it's still wet. Remember those tales of willow fence posts that have rooted? they are true.

Pete

 

[mark sanger]

Hi

I have turned eucalyptus and it is a night mare for cracking even when seasoned slowly.

Willow is as already discussed wooly. Generally the way I look at it is the quicker the tree grows then the softer the wood will be.

Willow would certainly be good to practice your techniques on. A friend turns pencil holders out of it but that is about it due to it being so soft.

 

[big soft moose]

. To mak those wonderful thin things that some experts do you need to be able to turn darn quickly.

I reckon melvyn firmager uses magic personally - its not a coincidence that he looks just like gandalf out of lord of the rings