Lilac - any good?

[Wouldchuk]

I have been offered some lilac wood to burn on my stove - I've not yet collected it so have no idea what sort of size, i guess pretty small diameters but may be wrong, time will tell if i ever get round there to get it. What may motivate me is if im told that it may be turnable - anyone any experience? I think i saw on Wikipedia that it was a very dense wood which used to be used for knife handles.

Or should i just burn it?!

 

[Bodrighy]

I've turned a few small pieces and it was hard and dense so I can imagine it being used for knife handles. The graining wasn't anything particularly special in the bits I had but whether they were typical I can't say. Not many woods are useless for turning IMHO. I'd see what there is and if there are any pieces worth storing go for it. With a wood burner you are onto a winner whatever you do.

Pete

 

[yellowbelly]

Lilac was used on the finest furniture in the 17th-18th century cut diagonally 1/8"thick by hand to form oysters, depending on size may be of interest to antique restorers

 

[thomvic]

I would suggest that lilac is good for anything except growing in the garden!!! :lol: The damned stuff sends up sucker growth all ove the place.

Richard

 

[Bodrighy]

I would suggest that lilac is good for anything except growing in the garden!!! :lol: The damned stuff sends up sucker growth all ove the place.

Richard

Bit like sycamore, grows like a weed but still not the cheapest wood to get your hands on LOL.

Pete

 

[jpt]

A beautiful wood to turn and can have some lovely grain and colour including a red stripe, I wish I could get some more.

A couple of mushrooms made from the last lot I had.

john

 

[woodyturner]

I have made some pens from English and African Lilac and it was a wonderful wood to turn and polish if I was offered some I would bite there hand of
Woody

 

[Wouldchuk]

Thanks very much all - JPT, the grain does look good and a great finish. I'll get over there this weekend if it stops raining and have a look - i think there may be some apple branches too, so if its thin stuff, at least I will have a sweet-smelling fire. Thanks for the advice all.

 

[dickm]

Brilliant stuff to turn. Hard and takes an excellent finish. The only pity is that the red/purple colouration isn't light-fast. It's always disappeared after a few months on wax finished items. Possibly other finishes would improve the light-fastness?