Eastern Red Cedar turns quite well and, of course, it is also super fragrant which helps to make it a fun wood with which to work. It sands easily as well. What it doesn’t do is take a finish so I leave my cedar pieces raw to avoid that issue and also so that the scent continues to be noticeable, which it won’t be after a finish is applied. With no finish, the wood is highly susceptible to staining, even with the oils from skin, so care must be taken in handling the piece. I think the best use for these bowls is as closet or chest of drawers accessories where the scent prevents insect damage and also provides a refreshing and pleasant odor. These unfinished pieces must NEVER be used with food or liquids.
Eastern Red Cedar Dish 5.5 x 3
Eastern Red Cedar also has the advantage of wild swirling colors and grain patterns ranging from red to pink to white. It is a great wood for beginners since it cuts so easily and fast and is very forgiving of less than super smooth cuts since it sands out so easily.
All cuts were made using the Easy Wood Tool system on my Robust American Beauty lathe. Forward chucking was in a Nova Chuck, while reverse chucking was done using a Nova Chuck with Cole Jaws. Sanding was with Gold and Green Wave sanding discs from Packard Woodworks.
FYI: If you have noticed that there are usually two bowls per post and are wondering why there is only one in this post, that would be because the first bowl broke during sanding. Sad, but it happens and lucky for me Eastern Red Cedar isn’t rare or particularly expensive. And I have more in my wood stocks.