Smells

[Tazmaniandevil]

It seems the old curtain pole I was salvaging may be red oak. It is rumoured to have a smell similar to vomit or "farmyard" odours. Whatever it is, my garage still honks of it.

 

[robo hippy]

Black walnut gives me a headache if I turn a lot of it. Pretty strong. English/Persian walnut is much lighter. Oregon Myrtle wood (actually California Bay Laurel) tends to smell sweet and spicy, but if it is getting too old, smells like it came off the bottom of a horse stall. Apple, and maple tend to have a yeast type smell. Elm smells like the cats have been marking it. Cottenwood smells like vomit. I turned some sassafras, which smelled very strong, but was like root beer. We have Chinkapin/Golden Chestnut, a local wood, and it has a scent like cedar, but not so overpowering. Cherry does smell like cherries. Butternut is kind of vinegar like, as well as oak. Imbuya has a strong scent and very spicy. Any wood that is starting to go/rot/is sick, tends to smell pretty sour. My favorite wood to turn, Pacific Madrone has almost no scent to it at all.

I also find it funny how people come into my booth and comment on how good the wood smells, when all they are smelling is the finish.

robo hippy

 

[Jonzjob]

"I also find it funny how people come into my booth and comment on how good the wood smells, when all they are smelling is the finish. "

What are you using Robo? Celulose sanding sealer :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

The wood that I can't turn is iroko. If I do so by mastike then my eyes are sore, itchy ears and hands/arms! A big no for me (hammer)

 

[Lightweeder]

Just turned my furst ABW - bit of a b*****d - really hard. Can't remember what it smelled like - to busy fighting with it. Walnut has a nice smell - Cocobolo also - but Zebrano smells of farmyards to me. Not that I have anything against farmyards :? Oak can do no wrong for me.

 

[petercharlesfagg]

I have always likened Zebrano to what wet Zebras smell like, bit like a wet dog!
Regards Peter.

 

[robo hippy]

I have been using Mike Mahoney's walnut oil for years. Pretty good stuff, though it takes a while to dry. People would also comment on my furniture pieces and how nice they smelled. Wipe on varnish.

robo hippy