Punky spalted beech

[Twigpot]

Hi everyone. I'm relatively new to turning and have some punky spalted beech which I've tried treating with several coats of thinned cellulose sanding sealant but still struggle to get a good finish. Today I made a lid for a box and even with light sanding through grits 180 - 240 - abrasive paste, the surface has some depressions and looks a little like the surface if the moon! The final result is OK but is there a better way of treating it? Seems a shame to waste the wood as it has some lovely spalting.

 

[Dave Brookes]

Try this, it doesn’t discolour the wood.

Dave

 

[Thetruth]

Try this, it doesn’t discolour the wood.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I appreciate your response and will give it a try.

 

[Thetruth]

Thanks Dave, I appreciate your response and will give it a try.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Try cellulose a little thicker and accept that it doesn't go very deep - a very light cut or even sanding and you'll need to apply it again.

 

[Deadeye]

Hi everyone. I'm relatively new to turning and have some punky

Did you fire six rounds, or only five?

 

[Stigmorgan]

I usually saturate punky wood with CA glue and allow a good amount of time for it to soak in and dry.

 

[Twigpot]

Thanks for all the ideas. Great tips which have given me a few options to try. I have a few large pieces left to play with so will try out a few of your ideas.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

I was in the same situation as you, a member here suggested a number of coats of shellac once I had the rough shape and when the shellac was hard to finish the item