Spalted birch

[Just4Fun]

I am not a Turner but I have access to a lathe. I have a small piece of birch which I planned to use for something else but I just found it is spalted so I guess I should try turning. Any tips? Do I need to treat the wood somehow? Before or after turning? Is the process the same as turning non-spalted wood?

 

[alex robinson]

I am not a Turner but I have access to a lathe. I have a small piece of birch which I planned to use for something else but I just found it is spalted so I guess I should try turning. Any tips? Do I need to treat the wood somehow? Before or after turning? Is the process the same as turning non-spalted wood?

Depends how soft it is. I would just crack on for now. People worry about the dust, but you should be wearing a mask anyhow and that is plenty of protection. If when you have it mostly shaped you are finding it difficult to get a clean cut, some wet rot hardener can work wonders to make it a bit more solid.