Spalted beech - what to make?

[Agent_zed]

Hi All,

I've been cutting firewood and have some 10inch logs that have a nice strong spalting going on. The wood still seems strong so wondering about turning them into something.

Any suggestions what to make? examples etc.

Not normally a fan of spalting but this seemed really defined when i cut some of the smaller bits in half.

 

[Stigmorgan]

I see bowl blanks and vases

 

[MF1000]

I see bowl blanks and vases

I see small side tables

 

[Fred48]

Cut some quarter sawn pieces for making small boxes

 

[Agent_zed]

Hadn't really considered the idea of cutting into flat boards. I guess i could give it a go.

I've never turned a bowl so I might need to practice before I try it on this. I've been doing a fair bit of spindle turning. Somewhat annoyingly I just finished making some candlesticks a few weeks back for my mantlepiece so prob don't need anymore for now. N.b they don't match on purpose

Sadly I've cut it into about 10inch long pieces so I can't do really long planks, although I may still have another couple of logs at my brothers place that I haven't chopped up yet. If I still have some longer pieces maybe I'll try cutting some bits for an electric guitar body, I've seen a few examples that look quite interesting.

I'm finding having a big pile of firewood to be hard as I keep looking at bits and thinking I can't burn that bit, and the non-burn pile gets bigger.

 

[fleyh]

When I acquired a similar size spalted birch - I converted it into a couple of tissue boxes.

 

[Richard_C]

Spalted beech vase, (in the style of Lucy Rie perhaps) 16mm plastic test tube lined so you can use it as a specimen vase as well as for dry stuff

 

[Stigmorgan]

Hadn't really considered the idea of cutting into flat boards. I guess i could give it a go.

I've never turned a bowl so I might need to practice before I try it on this. I've been doing a fair bit of spindle turning. Somewhat annoyingly I just finished making some candlesticks a few weeks back for my mantlepiece so prob don't need anymore for now. N.b they don't match on purpose

View attachment 180574

Sadly I've cut it into about 10inch long pieces so I can't do really long planks, although I may still have another couple of logs at my brothers place that I haven't chopped up yet. If I still have some longer pieces maybe I'll try cutting some bits for an electric guitar body, I've seen a few examples that look quite interesting.

I'm finding having a big pile of firewood to be hard as I keep looking at bits and thinking I can't burn that bit, and the non-burn pile gets bigger.

Bowls aren't too complicated, last spalted beech I did was very soft in places, it helps to have a good supply of CA, I roughed the outside shape then saturated it all over with CA and left it overnight and passed over it with a few finishing cuts, turned it round into the chuck and did the same again, super sharp tool edge is key with spalted beech.

 

[treeturner123]

Try hardening with Danish oil or sealer before taking the last few cuts. Make sure the sealer dries well though.

Phil

 

[MarkAW]

I also have a medium sized piece I have planked. Been wondering what to make for 3 years . It's quite soft and lightweight. Probably sapwood as it came with the outside curve of the tree. Easy to dent with a fingernail.
This pic is a before. I've been able to get 4 planks out of it, 2 of which book match beautifully. One day I'll think of something. Not enough for a piece of furniture, maybe the top of a side table etc

 

[Agent_zed]

I had a thought last night whilst making dinner. I noticed the old shabby DAB radio which I intended to re-house. Might be the perfect thing to try. Hopefully much nicer than the peeling mdf housing it's currently in.

 

[cmoops2]

I had a thought last night whilst making dinner. I noticed the old shabby DAB radio which I intended to re-house. Might be the perfect thing to try. Hopefully much nicer than the peeling mdf housing it's currently in.

"Old shabby DAB radio" - looks like I'll have to update my perception of 'steam' radio from valve sets to DAB !

 

[Agent_zed]

"Old shabby DAB radio" - looks like I'll have to update my perception of 'steam' radio from valve sets to DAB !

Its scary how time flies. I got it as a leaving gift from a job in about 2006 I think so about 18years old!

Whilst it is technically a lot newer than my DAB radio, I built an 'old' Valve (tube) guitar amplifier a couple of years back. A copy of a Fender Tweed Deluxe 5e3 from the 50's. Made pretty much everything from the circuit board to the chassis. Good project and sounds amazing.