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Other topics for members => General Woodworking => Topic started by: bck on March 20, 2009, 12:41:31 PM

Title: Sycamore turning blanks
Post by: bck on March 20, 2009, 12:41:31 PM
No doubt sycamore looks better when showing the rays from quatersawing. But for a pen blank or bowl blank would the grain direction matter ? Would you rather have a blank that showed the rays on one face ?  Or would it all end up the same after it was turned ?

I wish I still had my lathe  :'(  I sold most of my shop tools when I decided to saw trees.
Title: Re: Sycamore turning blanks
Post by: tyb525 on March 21, 2009, 12:20:07 PM
I believe a flatsawn blank would show more flecks of the sides, and a q-sawn would show some on the bottom, although not much unless the bottom was completely flat.
Title: Re: Sycamore turning blanks
Post by: low_48 on March 21, 2009, 11:21:07 PM
I would suggest that you just quarter saw for flat woodworking. You just don't get much show of the flecks when turning. It makes a rather soft pen, and unless it has some spalt, it can look really plain in a pen. Now quarter sawn boards is a way different story!!!!
Title: Re: Sycamore turning blanks
Post by: bck on March 22, 2009, 01:59:49 AM
Quote from: low_48 on March 21, 2009, 11:21:07 PM
  Now quarter sawn boards is a way different story!!!!

In my eyes there is nothing I saw that I like better. Quarter sawn sycamore is my favorite by far.   

Title: Re: Sycamore turning blanks
Post by: SwampDonkey on March 22, 2009, 05:24:18 AM
Yeah, wouldn't make much difference when turning, whether quartered or flat sawn. You'll mostly see the rays on the outside in a couple quarter revolutions around the bowl and same on the inside lip of the bowl if mounted on flat face. Or on the bottom (inside and out) if turned on the end grain.
Title: Re: Sycamore turning blanks
Post by: turningfool on March 28, 2009, 01:51:38 PM
sycamore can be real nice,love the ray patterns,but when i can get it quilted maples my favorite

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14594/1144/070726065718%7E0.JPG)
Title: Re: Sycamore turning blanks
Post by: SwampDonkey on March 28, 2009, 03:01:00 PM
Spectacular  8)
Title: Re: Sycamore turning blanks
Post by: bck on March 28, 2009, 06:29:01 PM
If I could find some maple like that I am sure it would quickly become my favorite too.  Very nice.