Eastern red cedar pen blanks??

[brdmkr]

Does eastern red cedar make a decent pen blank?  I was thinking about how pretty this wood is and how it would make a pretty pen, but I wondered if it could be turned and how it would hold up.  Any ideas ???

[Texas Ranger]

Fairly soft wood, local pen turner doesn't like it because of that, tool tears and such.

[brdmkr]

Yeah, I was kind of wondering about that.  I'll bet it could be 'turned' using a router setup, but a lathe may be too much.

Has anyone ever attempted this?

[Fla._Deadheader]

  Youster watch a feller turn "Aiggs" outta Red Cedar. Never saw him tear the wood, and he could turn them things quicker than a chikken could.  : :D :D :D

[Tom]

I have turned bowls out of it and had no problem.  It is a little brittle and you need a sharp tool, but then, a sharp tool is best for any type of wood.

A little sanding on the lathe in the final steps solves a lot of the tool marking problems.  It will take a finish to obtain a gloss and the quicker it is applied, the redder the wood will remain.

I think it would make an excellant choice for a pen.

[DanG]

What size do pen blanks need to be?  I cut up a real doty cedar log the other day, and that sounds like a good use for a lot of it. :

[Kirk_Allen]

I have made several pens from ERC and they turn out awesome. 
Most blanks are 3/4"- 1" square by 6" long. 

[brdmkr]

Thanks everyone.  Sounds like a go. 

Dan, do you remeber that cedar you and Olin brought up to initiate the Lucas????  I was thinking that may be a good use for some of those boards.