Spalted Wood

[ScaredyCat]

I've never worked with spalted wood before but I've managed to snag some spalted maple.

Is there anything I need to be aware of in particular when working with spalted woods, particularly maple? I'll be making a box for my dog's ashes so it wont be subjected to much stress/ strain at all.

.

 

[AJB Temple]

Firstly, sorry to hear about your dog.

Spalted maple in my experience generally works well. Can be a bit problematic planing, as the hardness is quite variable, so don't go at it too hard. Sands and finishes well. Post pictures of how it goes.

 

[MikeG.]

I think turners are the ones to ask about this. I've done a bit with spalted sycamore, and was told that the dust is really dangerous as it still contains spores from the fungus which did the spalting. You might think about wearing a mask throughout the build. My wood was so far gone that I could hardly use a blade on it at all, and had to sand everything.

 

[Robbo3]

I think turners are the ones to ask about this. I've done a bit with spalted sycamore, and was told that the dust is really dangerous as it still contains spores from the fungus which did the spalting. You might think about wearing a mask throughout the build. My wood was so far gone that I could hardly use a blade on it at all, and had to sand everything.

Urban myth Mike.
Dr Sara Robinson is a professor of spalting at Oregan State university.
The video is interesting to anyone wanting to know the basics of spalting but she answers the specific question at 11 minutes
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWedsgkoxYY

 

[SammyQ]

"professor of spalting "

Boy, oh boy....only in Ahhmurricah...

Sam

 

[MikeG.]

I think turners are the ones to ask about this. I've done a bit with spalted sycamore, and was told that the dust is really dangerous as it still contains spores from the fungus which did the spalting. You might think about wearing a mask throughout the build. My wood was so far gone that I could hardly use a blade on it at all, and had to sand everything.

Urban myth Mike.
Dr Sara Robinson is a professor of spalting at Oregan State university.
The video is interesting to anyone wanting to know the basics of spalting but she answers the specific question at 11 minutes
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWedsgkoxYY

Interesting, thanks.