Thuya Burl

HaMeR · April 29, 2008, 07:36:32 PM

I drilled some Thuya Burl this evening. I was almost scared at how soft it is. Is this stuff really that soft?? If so am I going to have chip/tear outs?? I have 6 blanks & only drilled two. This stuff makes some very nice calls so with a request for it I decided to drill up a couple pens & see what they look like.

Guess I should ask where Thuya stands on the oily scale too.

DirtyDog · April 29, 2008, 08:14:15 PM

Check with Yotehntr. He uses a hardner on some of his some wood. He might be willing to share his secrets.

HaMeR · April 29, 2008, 08:21:04 PM

Thanks Joe. I'll check in with him if he doesn't reply. Hardening won't be a problem actually. I was just surprised at how soft it was. It drilled nice chips up out so I don't think it is punky. Sure is gonna be fun shutting the lathe down for a looksee on this stuff.

Yotehntr · April 29, 2008, 11:28:53 PM

Hey Hammer, I've been pulling min wax wood hardener into spalted wood with a old refigerator compressor and a mason jar. If you decide to do it only pull it once. It makes it a pain if you do if you do it a few times... to hard and gums sandpaper up.

HaMeR · April 30, 2008, 05:14:02 AM

Thanks yotehntr. Not sure I'll need to go that far unless this stuff was supposed to be hard. I would say it had the hardness of poplar. Is this the correct hardness for it??

ninthinning · April 30, 2008, 06:09:22 AM

All the thuya burl I have turned calls from is very hard stuff, like coco or bloodwood.

Yotehntr · April 30, 2008, 09:39:26 AM

I've never turned any.

armyturner · April 30, 2008, 09:41:08 AM

It makes nice pens as well. Here is one that I turned a while back.

Braz · April 30, 2008, 12:36:15 PM

Yep, you're right Army, it does turn nice pens. Very nice work.

HaMeR · April 30, 2008, 02:22:28 PM

Thanks 9th. I'll have to take it slow & easy. Thats a very nice pen armyturner.

I hope mine turns out that nice.

I'm using a very similar kit as the one you show. Should be a looker.

HaMeR · May 01, 2008, 08:17:30 PM

Well she turned nice.

I'll have a couple pics this evening I hope.

FinsnFur · May 01, 2008, 09:05:31 PM

Not THIS evening ya wont

HaMeR · May 02, 2008, 01:45:44 PM

Then how about right now??!!

armyturner · May 02, 2008, 03:49:55 PM

That one looks great. What are you using for a finish?

HaMeR · May 02, 2008, 09:42:42 PM

Thanks army!!

Right now I'm using a friction polish & Huts PPP polish. Then a hand buff 2 coats of carnauba wax. Can't wait to get a buffing system.

armyturner · May 02, 2008, 10:37:18 PM

You ever try a CA finish? That is the only thing that I use on my pens anymore.

alscalls · May 03, 2008, 06:04:06 AM

Nice Glen, Real nice.

Now....about those finishes......I am an old school Tru Oil guy. What the heck are ya talking about?

HaMeR · May 03, 2008, 06:55:19 AM

I've tried the CA finish a time or two army. I always ended up with ridges in the finish. I'm going to turn some poplar round & finish sand it so I can practice on something other than a nice pen. I like the CA finish. I just need more practice with it. You seem to have it mastered tho.

Thanks Al!!! CA finish is just a super glue finish. armyturner can elaborate better on it than I can. I'm afraid I might lead you the wrong way since I don't use it much. Friction finishes are applied to the turning with the lathe spinning full out. The heat generated sets the finish to the project & it only takes a few minutes to apply. It is not as durable as a CA finish tho. Look around here for a tutorial by AL (THO Gamecalls) on the CA finish. You just might like what you read in it.