Rotten Yew?

[wizer]

Hello

I was given a yew log earlier in the year and it's been sitting under a tarp on my drive (not in the worm affected pile). The other day I pulled it out an chop a lump off the end with the intention of hollowing it. But I found this

The centre of the log is crumbly, I can pick it out with my fingers. It's about 8 inches in diameter and it's like this at both ends and the other side of the cut is the same.

Will this be no good for hollowing? Can I use it for bowls? Or dump it?

 

[Bodrighy]

I hada piece like that Tom and took an Arbotech to it. The contrast between the inner and outer wood is phenomenal




Pete

 

[wizer]

That's lovely Pete, I really like it. Not sure I'd keep the bark on tho I have an abortech so I might try that. Otherwise I assume it'll be no good for hollowing down the end grain? What about bowls? I've got about 4ft of this log to it'd be nice to get some use out of it. Never turned yew.

 

[Bodrighy]

There's no bark on it, that is the sapwood on the outside, what's left of it. It was a yew tree thgat had been down for years and the heart wood was basically all that was left but like yours it was rotten through the middle. I was going to do a bowl with it and put a piece in the bottom but SWMBO stopped me and made me look at it again. Yew is lovely to turn but if it's like mine it can be like rock, really hard. Be careful if you see any purople as iron turns it purple and there may be nails in it.

Pete

 

[wizer]

I've already picked a load of nails out of it. It came from an old turner and something tells me he put the nails there himself to get the pink colouring. The nails seem to be strategically placed and only about half way in (making them easy to pull out). Well I say that, except because they're so old, most of them have crumbled. Looks like I may need to warm up the grinder when I tackle this stuff.

 

[DaveL]

Tom,

You could always cut it in to pen blanks, will that big red monster of yours turn things that small? :roll: :wink:

I have me coat...........................

 

[boysie39]

Use plenty of dust protection when turning can be very irratiating. REgards Boysie

 

[Bodrighy]

Use plenty of dust protection when turning can be very irratiating. REgards Boysie

It's not allowed in our club as there are some members who are allergic to it. Pity as I have 3 or 4 largish lumps still waiting to be used that I refuse to cut down to fit my mini lathe. Frustrating

Pete